The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1914-06-13
BIZ ; Of Her Hand
George Barr e., Mo!C>, G y, Chs

| 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 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.
|
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 / can't be there myself, but
you'll fare quite as we'll without me.
I'm dining at Sara's. Wants my pri-
vate ear about one thing and another
see what mean?"
I'VE shall expect you, Brandon"
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.
IN stop Off for a chat with Brandy,
mother"
Shall send the car back, dear?"
Never mind. I'll walk down"
The two men turned in at the gate
as the car sped away
WELL" said Booth, its good to see
you. Patti" He called through base
gentleman's order"
mo drink for me, Brandy. I've been
in the temperance state of Maine for
two weeks. One week more of 1t and
I'd have been completely picked. l
shall always remember Maine"
Booth sat down on the porch rail,
hooked his toes in the supports and
proceeded to I'LL his pipe Then he
struck match and applied 1t, Leslie
watching him with moody eyes.
How do you like the portrait, old
mani" he inquired between punctu-
ating puffs.
IT'S bully. Sargent never did any
thing finer. Ripping"
Il owe 1t all to you. Les"
ITO me?"
you induced her to sit to me-"
so l did" said Leslie sourly. II
was Mr.. Fix-it sure enough" He al
lowed short interval to elapse be.
fore taking the plunge. Il suppose,
old chap. II should happen to need
your valuable services as best man
in the near future, you'd not diaap-
point meT'
Booth eyed him quizEically. "I trust
you're not throwing yourself away,
Les" he said drily. 81 mean to say,
on some one-well, some one not
quite up to the mark"
Leslie regarded him with some Sc
verify. "Of course not, old chap.
What the devil put that into your
head?"
81 thought that possibly you'd been
making a chump of yourself up in
the Maine woods"
"Pifle! Don't be an ass. What's
the sense pretending you don't know
who she ls?"
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,
II don't know" replied the other,
a bit dashed. you might wish me
luck, though"
Booth knocked the burnt tobacco
from the bowl of his pipe. A serious
line appeared between his eyes. He
was laii~Lhlhueu IellOW, without
guile, without a single treacherous
instinct.
Il can't wish you luck, Les" he
said slowly. you see I'm-I'm in
love with her myself"
THE devill" Leslie sat bolt up
right and glared at him. 81 might
have known! And-and is she in
love with your"
MY dear fellow, you reveal con-
siderable lack of tact in asking that
question"
What want to know is this" ex-
claimed Wrandall, very pale but very
hot: lis she going to marry your"
Booth smiled. 'Tll be perfectly
frank with you. She says she won't"
Leslie gulped. 80 you've asked
herr"
obviously"
And she said she wouldn't She
refused your Turned you DOWN." His
little mustache shot up at the ends
and joyous, triumphant laugh broke
from his lips. "Oh, this is rich! Ha,
ha! Turned you down, eh? Poor old