Gunnison news-champion., 1914-10-23

oGOrn ln htF eNts
1--WE had a notion you were pretty
keen about Brandy Booth" he went
- amisbly.
She caught her breath. There was
an instsnts hesitation on her part BE-
fore she replied
"You have never beer very smart at
making love guesses. Leslie" she Id
Its a trick you haven't acquired"
He laughed upcomfortably "Nsst
stroke. that"
Following her into the corridor out
side the offices. he pushed the elevator
bell for her
Il meant what said Sara" he re-
marked. somewhat dogg. ily you
ought to get married Chal didn't
leave much for you to cherish. There's
no reason why you should GO or like
this. living alone and ali that sort Of
thing. Yoa'rs young and beautiful
and"
"oh, thank you. Leslie" she cried
out sharply
you see. it's going to be this way:
Hetty will probably marry Booth.
That's on dit, take It, You're depend
ting on her for companionship Well,
dAs1l quit yoa cole after she's maj.
Flsl. She Will"
She interrupted him peremptorily.
IF Challis did nothing else for me
Leslie. he at least gave me you to
cherish. Once more, good bye"
The elevator stopped for her He
strolled back to his office with a puz-
zled frown on his face. She certainly
was ineyplicablel
The angry red faded from her
cheeks as she sped homeward in the
automobile. Her thoughts were ne
longer Of Leslie but OF another
She sighed and closed her eyes, anl
her cheeks were pale
Workmen from a picture dealers 20
tablishment were engaged In hanging
a full length portrait In the long liv.
ing-room Of her apartment when she
reached home. She had sent to the
country for Booths picture Of Hetty,
and was having II hung in q conspicu-
Gus place.
Passing the open library door. Sara
paused for an instant to peer within.
Then she went on down the hall to her
own sitting room. The canary was
singing glibly in his cage by the win
iow-side.
She threw aside her furs, and. with
out removing her hat passed into the
bed-chamber at the left of the cozy lit.
TO boudoir. This was Hetty's room
Her own was directly opposite On
he girls dressing-table leaning
against the broad, low mirror. stood
the unframed photograph of a man.
With furtive glance over her shoul-
der. Sara crossed to the table and
took up the picture in her gloved
hand. For 4 long time she stood there
gazing into the frank. goodlookins
face of Brandon Booth. Che breathed
faster; her hand shook: her eyes
were strained as II by an inward sug
gestion Of pain.
She shook her head slowly. a. n in
final renunciation of q secret hope or
the Punishment Of an unwelcome de-
sire. and resolutely replaced the pho.
tograph. Her lips were almost white
as she turned away and re-entered the
room beyond
'He belongs TO her" she said, un
consciously speaking aloud: "and he IL
like all men. She must not be unhap
py."
Presently she entered the library
She had exchanged her tailor-suit for q
dainty house-gown. Hetty was still
seated In the big lounging chair. be
fore the swapping fire. apparently NOT
having moved since she looked in or
passing a quarter of an hour before
One Of the girls legs was curled uT
under her. the other swung loose: Al
elbow rested on the arm OF the chair
and her cheek was in her hand
Coming softly up from behind. sars
leaned over the back OF the chair and
put her hands under her friends chin
tenderly. lovingly. Hetty started and
shfvered-
~oh. Sara. how cold your hand
are!-
She erasped them in her own ant
| fondly stroked them. as II to restor<
warmth to the long. slim fingers which