The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1914-07-09
CHAPTER XII.

Sara had kept the three Wrandalls
over for luncheon.
MY dear" said Mrs. Redmond
Wrandall, as she stood before Hetty's
portrait at the end Of the long living
room, 81 must say that Brandon has
succeeded in catching that lovely little
something that makes her so-what
shall l say?-so mysterious? Is that
what l want? The word is as elusive
as the expression
Subtle is the word you want,
mother" said Vivian, standing beside
Leslie, tall, slim and aristocratic, her
hands behind her back, her manner
one of absolute Indifference. Vivian
was more than handsome; she was
striking.
There isn't anything subtle about
Hetty," said Sara, with laugh. She's
quite ingenious"
Leslie was pulling at his mustache,
and frowning slightly. The sunburn
on his nose and forehead had begun
to peel off in chappy little flakes.
Ripping likeness, though" was his
comment.
"Oh, perfect" said his mother.
Really wonderful. 1t will make Bran
don famous"
She's so healthy-looking," said
Vivian.
English" remarked Leslie, as IL
that covered everything
Nonsense" cried the elder Mrs.
Wrandall, lifting her lorgnette again.
Pure, honest, unmixed blood, that's
what 1t is. There is birth in that
girls face"
You're always talking about birth,
mother" said her son sourly, as he
turned away.
TITS good thing to have" said his
mother with conviction.
It's an easy thing to- get in Amer
ica," said he, pulling out his cigarette
case.
1t was then that Sara prevailed upon
them to stop for luncheon. 'Hetty al
ways takes these long walks in the
morning, and she will be disappointed
II she finds you haven't waited"
"Oh, as for that" began Leslie and
stopped, but he could not have been
more lucid If he had uttered the sen.
tence In full.
why didn't you pick her up and
bring her home with your" asked Sara,
as they moved off in the direction of
the porch.
"She seemed to be taking Brandy
out for his morning exercise" said he
isurlily. Far be it from me to-
iUmph!"
Sara repressed the start of surprise.
She thought Hetty was alone.
She will bring him in for luncheon,
i suppose" she said carelessly al
though there was a slight contraction
of the eyelids. "He is a privileged
character"
1t was long past the luncheon hour |
when Hetty came in, flushed and !
warm. She was alone, and she had |
been walking rapidly.
"Oh, I'm sorry to be so late" she |
apologized. darting look of anxiety |
at Sara. I'VE grew careless with |
time. Am l shockingly late?"
She was shaking hands with Mrs.
Redmond Wrandall as she spoke. Les
lie and Vivian stood by, rigidly await
ing their turn. Neither appeared to
De especially cordial.
What is the passing of an hour,
my DEAR" said the old lady, "to one
who is young and can spare it?"
Il did not expect you'll mean to
say nothing was said about luncheon.
was there, Sara?" She was in a
pretty state of confusion.
NO." said Leslie, breaking in: I'VE
hIffad In that's oil 2s,
He clasped her hand and bent over It
She was regarding him with slightly
dllated eyes. He misinterpreted the
steady scrutiny. "Oh, it will all peel
OFF in day or two," he explained, 60
ing shade redder.
When did you return?" she asked.
Il thought tomorrow was"
Leslie never has any tomorrows.
MISS Castleton," explained Vivian.
He always does tomorrow'e work
today. That's why he never has any
troubles ahead of him."
What rot!" exclaimed Leslie.
Where is Mr.. Booth?" inquired
Sara. Wouldn't he come in, Hetty?"
Il didn't think to ask him to
stop for luncheon she replied, and
then hurried off to her room to make
herself presentable.
Hety was IN state of nervous ex.
cltement during the luncheon. The
encounter with Booth had not resulted
at all as she had fancied it would. She
mad betrayed herself in a most discon-
cernng manner, and now was more
deeply involved than ever before. She /
mad been determined at the outset,
she had failed, and now he had a
ciam-an incontestable claim against
her. She found it difficult to meet
sara's steady, questioning gaze. She
wanted to be alone.
After luncheon. Leslie drew Sara
aside