The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1914-07-10
CHAPTER XIII.
The Second Encounter.


Booth trudged rapidly homeward
after leaving Hetty at the lodge. He
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 better-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 II 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
| 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.
mo, thanks" she replied. won't
you come to dinner this EVENING""
He heeitated. 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 Sara's. Wants my pri-
vate ear about one thing and another
see what | mean?"
1--WE shall expect you, Brandon"
said Mrs. Wrandall, fixing him with
her lorgnette.
"I'll come, thank you," said he.
He felt disgustingly transparent un-
der that inquisitive glass.
Wrandall stepped out OF the car.
'I'll 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, "it's good to see
you. Pat!" He called through base
ment window. Come up and take the
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.
shall always remember Maine"
Booth sat down on the porch rail.
hooked his toes in the supports and
proceeded to fill his pipe. Then he
struck match and applied it. Leslie
watching him with moody eyes.
How do you like the portrait, old
man?" he inquired between punctu-
ating puffs.
It's bully. Sargent never did any.
thing finer. Ripping"
81 owe it all to you. Les"
"To me?"
You induced her to sit TO me-"
80 | did," said Leslie sourly. 81
was Mr.. Fix-it sure enough" He al
lowed a short interval to elapse be.
fore taking the plunge. II suppose,
old chap, IL l should happen to need
your valuable services as best man
in the near future. you'd not disap-
point me?"
Booth eyed him quizzically. II trust
you're not throwing yourself away,
Les" he said drily. Il 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?'
II thought that possibly you'd been
making 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 is?"
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 moment
81 don't know" replied the other.
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 q fair-minded fellow. withos,t