Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1914-08-21
TheHOlOW
b 3 Of Her Hand
~GeOr9e Barr McCutCheOn
n III 6yR0DO, HEHU 6~s CCV1/H7/

| He hesitated a moment. opened his
lips as If to speak. and then abruptly
left the room.
Sara smiled.
Many minutes passed before the two
Wrandalls put in an appearance. She
understood the delay. They were
telephoning to certain legal advisers.
What's this hear, Sara?" demand
ed Leslie. extending his hand after a
seconds hesitation.
She shock hands with him. not list
lessly but with the vigor born Of nerv-
BUSINESS.
Il don't know what you've heard. u
she said pointedly.
His slim fingers went searching for
the end Of his moustache.
'Why-why. about selling out to
US" he stammered.
II am willing to retire from the firm
of Wrandall & Co.," che said.
Father, says the business is as good
as 1t was year ago. but don't agree
with him." said the son. trying to
look lugubrious.
Then you don't care to repeat your
original proposition"
We'll. the way business has been
falling Off"
Perhaps you would prefer to sell
out to me-" she remarked quietly.
mot at ALI" he said quickly. with
a surprised glance at his father. I'VE
! couldn't think Of letting the business
pass out of the Wrandall name"
you forget that my name is Wran-
DALI" she rejoined. There would be
no occasion to change the firms
name; merely its membership"
Our original offer stands" said the
senior Wrandall stiffiy. I'VE prefer
to buy"
And I to sell. Mr.. Carroll will
meet you tomorrow. gentlemen. He
will represent me as usual. Our bust
ness az well a. social relations are
about to end. suppose. My only re-
gret 10 that l cannot further accom-.
modate you by changing my name.
Still you may live in hope that time
may work even that wonder for you "
She arose. The two men regarded
her in an aggrieved way for q mo.
ment.
Il have no real feeling Of hostility
toward you. Sara" said Leslie nerv-
ously. I'm spite Of all that you said
the other night"
II am afraid you don't mean that.
deep down In your heart, Leslie" she
said. with q queer little smile.
But I do" he protested. Hang It
all. we've live In q glass house our.
selves, Sara. l dare say. in q way,
was quite a. unpleasant a. the rest
Of the family. You see. We Just can't
help being snobs. rs in NJ. that's all
there IL to It,"
Mr.. Wrandall looked up from the
floor. his gaze having dropped at the
first outburst from his sons lips.
We've prefer to be friendly. Sara,
II you will allow us"
She laughed and the old gentleman
stopped in the middle Of his sentence.
I'VE can't be friends. Mr.. Wran.
DALI" she said. suddenly serious. ''The
pretence would be q mockery. We
are all better on II we allow our paths.
our interests to diverge today"
Perhaps you are right" said he.
coppressing his lips.
Il believe that Vivian and I could
but no! I won't go 20 far as to say
that either. There il something genu.
Inc about her. Strange to say. have
never disliked her"
IF you had made the slightest ef.
fort to like US. no doubt we could
have"
my dear Mr. Wrandall." she inter.
rupted quickly. II credit you with the
desire to be fair and just to me. You
have tried to like me. You have even
deceived yourself at times. but
why these gentle recriminations? We
merely prolong an unfortunate con-
test between antagonistic natures.
with no hope Of genuine peace being
established. do not regret that l
am your daughter-in-law, nor do I be-
lieve that you would regret 1t II l had
not been the daughter of Sebastian
Gooch."
"Your father was a. little impress
ed with my son as I was. with his
daughter" said Redmond Wrandall
drily. II am forced to confess that he
was the better Judge. We had the
better of the bargain"
Il believe you mean II, Mr.. Wran.
DALI" she said. note of gratitude in
her voice. Goodbye. Mr.. Carroll
will see you tomorrow" She glanced
quickly about the room. Il shall send
for-for certain articles that are no
longer required in conducting the bus
mess of Wrandall & Co."
With a quaint little smile, she indi.
Gated the two photographs Of herself
by Jove. Sara" burst out Leslie
abruptly. II wish you'd let me have
that Gypsy Nab picture. I've always
been dotty over 1t, don't you know.
Ripping study"
Her lip curled slightly.
"As q matter of fact" he explained
conclusively. "Chal often said he'd
leave 1t to me when he died. In q
Joking way. Of course. but I'm sure he
meant It,"
you may have It. Leslie" she said
slowly. It il doubtful II he correctly
interpreted the movement Of her head
as she uttered the words.
Thanks" said he. I'll hang It In
/ 49, -