Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1914-07-03

After luncheon-served with som
evaporation by Patrick an hour and
half later than usual-he smoked hi
pipe on the porch and stared reminis
Gently at the shifting clouds above tn,
tree tops.
He did not see the Wrandall moto
at his garden gate until a lusty voict
brought him down from the clouds int
the range Of earthly sounds. Ther
he dashed out to the gate. bareheadet
and coatless. forgetting that he hat
been sitting in the obscurity Of trailing
vines and purple blossoms the while
he thought Of her.
Leslie was sitting on the wide seal
between his mother and sister.
Glad to see you back. old man.
said Booth, reaching in to shake hands
with him. Day early. aren't you
Good afternoon. Mrs. Wrandall. Wont
you come in?"
He looked at Vivian a. he gave the
invitation.
mo, thanks" she replied. Wont
you come to dinner this EVENING""
He hesitated. I'm not quite sure
whether can. Vivian. I've got half.
way sort Of"
"Oh. do. old chap" cut in Leslie,
more a. q command than an entreaty.
Sorry I can't be there myself, but
you'll fare quite as well without me.
I'm dining at Sara's. Wants my pri-
vate ear about one thing and another
see what l mean!"
We shall. expect you, Brandon"
said Mrs. Wrandall. fixing him with
her lorgnette.
I'll come. thank you." said he.
He felt disgustingly transparent un-
der that inquisitive glass.
Wrandall stepped out of the car.
I'll stop on for q chat with Brandy,
mother"
Shall send the car back, dear?"
Never mind. I'll walk down"
The two men turned in at the gate
as the car sped away.
WELL" said Booth. Its good to see
you. Patti" He called through a base
ment window. Come up and take the
gentleman's order"
No drink for me. Brandy. I've been
In the temperance state of Maine for
two weeks. One week more of It and
Id have been completely picked. /
shall always remember Maine" j..
Booth sat down on the porch rail.
hooked his toes in the supports and
proceeded to all his pipe. Then he
struck a match and applied It, Leslie
watching him with moody eyes.
How do you like the portrait, old
man?" he inquired between punctu.
ating puffs.
Its bully. Sargent never did any.
thing finer. Ripping"
Il owe III all to you, Les"
ITO me?"
you induced her to sit to me-"
so did," said Leslie sourly. II
was Mr.. Fix-it sure enough" He al.
lowed q short interval to elapse be.
fore taking the plunge. Il suppose.
old chap. II I should happen to need
your valuable services as best man
IN the near future. you'd not disap- |
point mer'
Booth eyed him quizzically. 81 trust |
you're not throwing yourself away.
Les" he said drily. Il mean to saw.
IN some one-well. some one not |
quite up to the mark"
Leslie regarded him with some &C.
7erity. "Of course not, old chan
What the devil put that into your
head"
Il thought that possibly you'd been
making a chump of yourself up in
he Maine woods"
"Pifie! Don't be an ass. What's
he sense pretending you don't know
Who she is?"
Il suppose it's Hetty Castleton.
aid Booth. putting away at his pine
who else?"
Think she'll have you, old man ?"
Isked Booth. after q moment
Il don't know" replied the other.
bit dashed. You might wish me
uck. though"
Booth knocked the burnt tobacco
rom the bowl Of his pipe. A serious
inc appeared between his eyes. He
vas fair-minded fellow. without
'uile. without a single treacherous
instinct.
4 can't wish you luck, Les" he
aid slowly. you see Pm-I'm in
've with her myself"
The DEVIL" Leslie sat bolt M
lght and glared at him. 81 might
ave known! And-and IL she in
I've with your"
MY dear fellow, you reveal con.
lderable lack Of tact In asking that
uestion."
What l want to know is this" ex.
laimed Wrandall, very pale but very
OF: is she going to marry your
Booth smiled. I'll be perfectly
'ank with you. She says she won't"
Leslie gulped. so you've asked
err"
obviously"
And she said she wouldn't? She
,fused you? Turned you down? ?" His
tile mustachs shot up at the ends
40 a joyous. triumphant laugh broke
ON his lips. '"Oh. this is rich! Ha.
!! Turned you down. Ell? Poor old
randy! You're my best friend. and
lmmit I'm sorry. l mean to say"
went on In some embarrassment.
m sorry for you. OF course. you
IN hardly expect me to-er-"
Certainly not" accepted Booth t
niab6. Il quite understand"
Then, since she's refused you. you Q