The Carlisle independent., 1914-07-16


 instinct.
 q can't wish you luck. Les" he said slowly. You see I'm-I'm in love with her myself"
 "The deyili7 Leslie sat bolt up- right and glared at him. q might have known! And-and Is she in love with you?"
 My dear fellow, you reveal con- siderable lack of tact in asking that question"
 What l want to know is this," ex- claimed Wrandall, very pale but very not; lis she going to marry you?"
 Booth smiled. 'I1l be perfectly frank with you. She says she won't" Leslie gulped So you've asked herr"
 Obviously"
 And she said she wouldn't? She refused you? Turned you down?" His little mustache shot up at the ends and joyous. triumphant laugh broke from his lips. "Oh, this is rich! Ha. ha! Turned you down, eh? Poor old Brandy! You're my best friend, and dammit I'm sorry. l mean to say" he went on in some embarrassment, I'm sorry for you. Of course, you can hardly expect me to-er-"
 Certainly not" accepted Booth amiably. T quite understand"
 Then, since she's refused you, you mighkAish me better luck"
 That would mean giving up hope"
 "Hope?" exclaimed Leslie quickly. You don't mean to say you'll annoy her with your"
 No. I shall not annoy her." replied his friend, shaking his head.
 Well, I should hope not" said Leslie with scowl Turned you down, eh? 'Pon my soul!" He ap- peared to be relishing the idea of it. Sorry, old chap, but I suppose you understand just what that means" Booths lips hardened for an in stant, then relaxed into a queer, al. most pitying smile. And you want me to be your best man?" he said effectively. Leslie arose. His chest seemed to S"SAa C. AiSNAOs ooodi C0Ay AS Wdo LII CdLll- ing much easier. He assumed an air of compassion.
 T shan't insist, old fellow, if you feel you'd rather not-er- See wha, mean?" It then occurred to him to utter word or two of kindly advice T shouldn't go on moping if I were you. Brandy. 'Pon my soul, shouldn't t Take it like a man. I know it hurts, but Pooh! Whats the use aggra. vating the pain by putting against a stone wall?"
 His companion looked out over the tree tops, his hands in his trousers pockets, and it must be confessed that his manner was not that of one who is oppressed by despair.
 T think I'm taking it like a man, Les." he said. q only hope you'll take it as nicely if she says nay to you"
 An uneasy look leaped into Leslie's face. He seemed noticeably less cor. pulent about the chest. He wondered if Booth knew anything about his initial venture. A question rose to his lips, but he thought quickly and held it back. Instead, he glanced at his watch
 q must be off See you tomorrow I hope"
 So long" said Booth, stopping at the top of the steps while his visitor skipped down to the gate with a nimbleness that suggested the forma- tion of a sudden resolve.
 Leslie did not waste time in part. ing inanities he strode of briskly in the direction of home, but not without furtive glance out of the tail of his eye as he disappeared beyond the hedgerow at the end of Booths gar. den. That gentleman was standing where he had left him, and was filling his pipe once more.
 The day was warm, and Leslie was in a dripping precipitation 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, was his order
 Three minutes later he was being driven over the lower road toward Southlook. taking good care to avoid Booths place by the matter of a mile or more. He was in fever of hope and eagerness. It was very plain to him why she had refused Booth. The iron was hot. He didn't intend to lose any time in striking.
 And now we know why he came again to Sara's in the middle of a blazing afternoon. instead of waiting until the more seductive shades of night had fallen, when the moon sat serene in the seat of the Mighty.
 
 He didn't have to wait long for Het. ty. Up to the instant of her appear. ance in the door, he had reveled in the thought that the way was now paved with roses. But with her en. trance, he felt his confidence and courage slipping. Perhaps that may explain the abruptness with which he proceeded to go about the business in hand,
 T couldn't wait till tonight" he ex- ,,la;naJ ha no,,,n cto