Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1914-06-26
CHAPTER XIII.
The Second Encounter.

was throbbing all over with the love
of her. The thrill of conquest was in
his blood. She had raised a mysteri-
GUS barrier; all the more zest to the
inevitable victory that would be his.
He would delight in overcoming OBJ
stacles-the bigger the betteT-for his
heart was valiant and the prize no
smaller than those which the ancient
knights went out to battle for in the
lists of love.
1t was enough for the present to
know that she loved him.
What If she were Hetty Glynn?
What If she had been an artists
model? The look he had had into the
soul Of her through those pure blue
eyes was all-convincing. She was wor-
thy of the noblest love.
After luncheon-served with some
evaporation by Patrick an hour and a
half later than usual-he smoked his
pipe on the porch and stared reminis-
Gently at the shifting clouds above the
tree tops.
He did not see the Wrandall motor
at his garden gate until a lusty voice
brought him down from the clouds into
the range of earthly sounds. Then
he dashed out to the gate, bareheaded
and coatless, forgetting that he had
been sitting in the obscurity Of trailing
vines and purple blossoms the while
he thought of her.
Leslie was sitting on the wide seat
between his mother and sister.
Glad to see you back, old man, "
said Booth, reaching in to shake hands
with him. DAY early, aren't you ?
Good afternoon, Mrs. Wrandall. Won't
you come in?"
He looked at Vivian as he gave the
invitation.
mo, thanks" she replied. won't
you come to dinner this EVENING""
He hesitated. I'm not quite sure
whether can, Vivian. I've got half
way sort Of"
"Oh, do, old chap" cut in Leslie,
more as a command than an entreaty.
Sorry I can't be there myself, but
you'll fare quite as well without me-
I'm dining at Saras. Wants my pri-
vate ear about one thing and another
see what l mean?"
1--WE shall expect you, Brandon, u
said Mrs. Wrandall, fixing him with
her lorgnette.
"Ill come, thank you," said he.
He felt disgustingly transparent I'M
der that inquisitive glass.
Wrandall stepped out of the car
"I1l stop off for chat with Brandy
mother"
Shall l send the car back, dear"
Never mind. I'll walk down."
The two men turned in at the gate
as the car sped away.
We'll" said Booth, "it's good to sec
you. Pat!" He called through a base
ment window. Come up and take the
gentleman's order"
mo drink for me, Brandy. I've beer
in the temperance state of Maine fol
two weeks. One week more of it ant
I'd have been completely picked.
shall always remember Maine"
Booth sat down on the porch rail
hooked his toes in the supports ant
proceeded to fill his pipe. Then ht
struck match and applied it, Leslie
watching him with moody eyes.
How do you like the portrait, ole
MANI" he inquired between punctu
ating puffs.
tits bully. Sargent never did any
thing finer. Ripping"
81 owe it all to you, Les"
ITO me?"
"You induced her to sit to me-"
$50 l did," said Leslie sourly. "
was Mr.. Fix-it sure enough" He al
lowed short interval to elapse be
fore taking the plunge. 81 suppose
old chap, If l should happen to nee,
your valuable services as best mai
in the near future, you'd not disaI
point me?"
Booth eyed him quizzically. 81 trus
you're not throwing yourself away
Les" he said drily. Il mean to say
on some one-well, some one no
quite up to the mark"
Leslie regarded him with some sc
verify. "Of course not, old char
What the devil put that into you
head?'
Il thought that possibly you'd bee
making chump of yourself up Il
the Maine woods"
"Pifle! Don't be an ass. What
the sense pretending you don't knov
who she ISL"
81 suppose it's Hetty Castleton,
said Booth, putting away at his pipe
who else?"
Think she'll have you. old man ?
asked Booth, after a moment.
81 don't know" replied the othel
a bit dashed. you might wish m
luck, though"
Booth knocked the burnt Tobacco
from the bowl of his pipe. A seriou
line appeared between his eyes. H
was a fair-minded fellow, withou