The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-13

fiIi'c' D|n't DO an ass. What's tho
sense preteiding you don't know who
.,hc isY'
II suppos. It's Het,y Castleton.. said
BOOTH, pntiiag away at his pipe.
who elsaY'
Think s,en have you. old man..
asked Boota. after "a moment
don't Know" replied the ether, a
bit dashed You might wish me luck.
! though"
Booth knocked the burnt tobacco
from tho btwl OF his pipe A serious
/ INC appcand between hia eyes He
was fas minded fellow. without
guile. without q single trcacherou. In.
/ atinct.
Il can't Wish you luck. Les" he said
slowly. 'Y,u SEQ Im--rn in love With
ker myself
The devil Leslie sat boil, upr,rh,
! and Elarcd At him. II might have
i'nown' Ana-and IS she In lovo With
! you?'
My dear fellow. you reveal cons,d-
ton
What want to know is this" ex.
claimed wrndall. very pale. but very
/ not lis sh, going 10 marry your
Booth smiled. I'm be perfectly frank
with you. She says she won't"
Leslie gq!ped 80 you've asked
I hcr2''
"obviousH"
And she. said She wouldn't She re-
+ fused yout Turned you down. Ills
\ little inustache shot up at the ends
+ ana 1oyoas. triumphant laugh brok"
! from his ii,s oh this is rich. Ha, ha,
( Turned you down, eli? Poor old
Hrandy, You're my best friend. ana
/ dammit Tn sorry. ! mean To sny,'
( he went on IN some embarrassment.
+ I'm sorry for YOU. OF course you can
hardly eNIcct rae to-cr-''
Certainly not" accepted Booth ami
+ ably IL pi!tc understand"
Then, Since she's refused you, you
mi,ht Wisl mo better luck"
+ "Ttlt Would mean giving UP hope"
Hope - exclaimed Leslie quickly
/ You don't mean 70 say youli annoy
/ her with ypur-'
80. ! Sail not annoy her" replied
4 his friend. shaking his head
Well should hope not" said Les
| lie wlth "a scowl. Turned YOU down,
/ ch7 Pom ~. soul" lie appeared to be
/ rclishirg IL. idea OF ~ Sorry, old
! chap, but suppose YOU understand
( Just vhat ,hat means"
BOOTHS lips hardened for an instant
,hcn relaxyi into "a queer, almost pity
ing smile.
/ and yo4 want nc to be your bcs,
man?" he .Aid rencct!vely
/ Leslie arose. His chest seemed 70
/ swell "a little asSuredly he was breath
l INK lnuGfi .iNltI. nc assumed an ali
OF compassion
81 shantinsist. OLD fellow IL you feel
( you'd IA thtr uot--er-- SEQ what
mean" II then occurred TO linn TO
utter word or two OF kindly advice
I"I shouldn't 40 on hoping If / were
you, DrandT, Pom my soul. shouldn't
Take II like q man. know IL hurts
but Pooh, What What's the use
iaegravatlnb tho pain by butt!nE
against ii stone VALE
. Ills companion looked ont over tho
/ tree-tops, Ais hands IN his irouser
I pockets, ara il must be confessed tina,
! his manner was not that OF one who is
oppressed hy despair.
| - think I'm taking 1t like Il man.
: Lee" ho said. l only hope you'u take
lit as nicely If she says nay 10 you"
! An uneasy look leapcd into Lcslie's
face II" seomcd noticcably less cor
pnleut about the chest. He wondered
1 If Booth know anything about his mi
tial vcntmc question roso to his
lips but he thought quici.ly aud held It,
back. Instead, hc glanced at his watch
II must bu OF. Soc you Tomorrow.
hope"
80 long" said Booth. stopping ut
the top oi the steps while his visitor
skipped down 10 the gate with MIN
blcness that suggested the formation
! OF sudden resolve.
Leslie did not waste time In parting
inauitics, he STROBE of briskly In the
direction Of lone. but not without
( furitvc glance out OF the tail Of his
cyc he disappeared beyond the
hedge-roH at the end OF Booths gar
den. That gentleman was standing
where he had left him. and was nllins
his pipe once more.
The day was warm, md Leslie was
in dripping perspiration when he
reached homo. He did not enter the
! house LLt made his wny direct tn
garage.
Get ont the car at once, Brown"
WAS his order.
Three minutes later he was being
driven over the lower road toward
SouthlooA. taking good caro- to avoid
Booths rlacc 10y the matter or a milo
OF more. He was in fever OF hope
and easGncss. 1t was very plain To
him why she had refused to marry
Booth. Tho iron was hot lie didn't
intend to lose any time in striking.
Aud ndw We know why no came
again to Saras in the middle Of II blaz-
ing afternoon. instead of waiting un-
I'll the more seductive shades of night
had fallen when the moon sat serene
in the seat OF the Mighty.
lie didn't lave 10 walt long for Het-
". Up to the instant of her appear
ancc ia the door, lie had rcvclcd in the
thought that the way was now paved
with roses. But with licr entrance, lie
felt his confidence and courage slim
ping. Perhaps that may explain tho
abruptncss with which he proceeded
to go about tho business in hand.
81 couldn't wait till to-night," he cH-
planned as she came slowly across tho
room toward him. She was halfway
to him before he awolSe to the fact
that lie was standing perfectly still.
Then he started forward. somehow i'm
PEELED TO meet her ut least halfway
you'll forgive me- Ilctty, if lavo
disturbed you
81 was not lying down. Mr. Wran-
dali" she said quietly. There was
nothing luminous In the words but ho
experienced sudden sensation of cold
Wont you sit down? Or would YOU
rather 90 out TO the terracc?"
ITS much mare comfortable here, ir
you don't mind. IL suppose YOU know
what 1t IS want TO say to YOU You"
Yes" She interrupted YEARLY: "and
knowing as much, Mr.. NVrnndall a.