The Cairo bulletin., 1914-04-11


Brandy! You're my best friend, and
dammit I'm sorry. mean to say"
he went on in some embarrassment,
Pm sorry for you. or course. you
can hardly expect me to-er--"
Certainly not" accepted Booth
amiably. Il quite understand"
Then. since she's refused you, you
might wish me better luck"
THAT would mean giving UP hope"
Hopper" exclaimed Leslie quickly
''You don't mean to say you'll annoy
her with your"
NO, shall not annoy her." replied
his friend shaking his head.
We'll, should hope not" said
Leslie with scowl. Turned you
down. Ell? Pom my soul" He ap-
peared to be relishing the idea OF 1t.
Sorry, old chap, but | suppose you
understand just what that means"
Booths lips hardened for an In
slant, then relaxed into queer, al
most PLYING smiie
And you want me to be your best
man." he said refectively.
Leslie arose. His chest seemed to
swell a little: assuredly he was breath.
ing much easier. He assumed an
air of compassion.
Il shan't insist, old fellow, II you
feel you'd rather not--er-- See what
l meant" Ii then occurred to him to
utter a word or two of kindly advice.
Il shouldn't go on moping II | were
you, Brandy. Pom my soul, | shouldn't.
Take Il like man. know 1t hurts,
bat----...Pooh! What's the use aggra
waiting the pain by butting against q
stone WALTZ"
His companion looked out over the
tree tops, his hands In his trousers
pockets. and 1t must be confessed
that his manner was not that of one
who is oppressed by despair.
II think I'm taking 1t like q man
Les" he said. 81 only hope you'll
take it as nicely IL she says nay I,
YOU"
An uneasy look leaped into Lesliei
face. He seemed noticeably less cor
pulent about the chest. He wondere,
| II Booth knew anything about hi
initial venture. A question rose Il
his lips, but he thought quickly ant
held 1t back Instead. he glanced q
his watch. p p
@'1 must be OF. See you tomorrow
hope
so long," said Booth. stopping q
the top of the steps while his visitor
skipped down to the gate with q
nimbleness that suggested the lorna
ton of sudden resolve.
Leslie did not waste time In part
Ing inanities he strobe off briskly In
the direction of home. but not without
furtive glance out of the tail of his
eve as he disappeared beyond the
hedgerow at the end OF Booths gar
den. That gentleman was standing
where he had left him. and was filing
his pipe once more.
The day was warm, and Leslie was
in dripping perspiration when he
reached home. He did not enter the
house but made his way direct TO the
garage.
Get out the car at once. Brown.
wss his order,
Three minutes later he was helms
driven over the lower road toward
Southlook. taking good care TO svoit
Booths place by the matter OF mile
or more. He was in fever OF hop,
and eHgerness II was very plain t
him why she had refused Booth. Tn,
iron was hot He didn't intend {,
lose any time In striking.
And now we know why he cam
again TO Sara's in the middle of
blazing afternoon. instead OF waitinI
until the more seductive shades o
night had fallen, when the moon sa
serene in the seat of the Mighty.
He didn't have TO wait long for Hei
", Up 10 the instant Of her appear
snos In the door, he had rsveled 4
the thought that the way was no,
paved with roses. But with her er
trance, he felt his confidence an
courage slipping. Perhaps that ma
explain the sbruptness with which h
proceeded to 60 about the bushes
In hand
Il couldn't wait till tonight" he ex
planned as she came slowly aotoe
the room toward him. She Wan he3l
! | wsv to him before be aNplo r. G.
fact that be Va rtan11r W