The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1914-07-16


said Booth, reaching in to shake hands
with him. Day early, aren't you
Good afternoon, Mrs. Wrandall won'i
you come in?"
He looked at Vivian as he gave the
invitation.
mo, thanks" she replied. Won't
you come to dinner this EVENING""
He heeitated. I'm not quite sure
whether l can, Vivian. I've got half.
way sort Of"
"Oh, do, old chap" cut in Leslie,
more as a command than an entreaty.
Sorry l can't be there myself, but
you'll fare quite as well without me.
I'm dining at Saras. Wants my pri-
vate ear about one thing and another
see what / mean?"
I'VE 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 off for chat with Brandy,
mother"
Shall l 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. Pati" 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
I'd have been completely picked.
shall always remember Maine"
Booth sat down on the porch rail,
hooked his toes in the supports and
proceeded to fill his pipe. Then he
struck match and applied it, Leslie
watching him with moody eyes.
How do you like the portrait, old
mani" he inquired between punctu.
ating puffs.
TITS bully. Sargent never did any.
thing finer. Ripping"
Il owe it all to you, Les"
ITO me?"
You induced her to sit to me-"
so l did," said Leslie sourly. 81
was Mr.. Fix-it sure enough" He al
lowed a short interval to elapse be.
fore taking the plunge. Il suppose,
old chap, If should happen to need
your valuable services as best man
in the near future, you'd not disap-
point me?"
Booth eyed him quizzically. 81 trust
you're not throwing yourself away.
Les" he said drily. II mean to say,
on some one-well, some one not
quite up to the mark"
Leslie regarded him with some Sc
verify. "Of course not, old chan. |
What the devil put that into your
head?"
Il thought that possibly you'd been
making chump of yourself up in
the Maine woods"
"Pif1e! Don't be an ass. What's
the sense pretending you don't know
who she is?"
, Il suppose it's Hetty Castleton."
said Booth, putting away at his pipe.
. who else?"
Think she'll have you, old man?"
asked Booth, after a moment.
Il don't know" replied the other.
a bit dashed. You might wish me
luck, though"
Booth knocked the burnt tobacco
from the bowl of his pipe. A serious
line appeared between his eyes. He
was a fair-minded fellow. without
guile, without a single treacherous
instinct.
Il can't wish you luck, Les" he
said slowly. you see Tm-rm In
love with her myself"
The devili" Leslie sat holt IN
right and glared at him. 81 might
nave known! And-and is she in
love with your"
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
hot: "is she going to marry your
Booth smiled. 'I1l be perfectly
frank with you. She says she won't"
Leslie gulped. so you've asked
herr"
obviously"
SAO DoAN cH0 WOulQQ'Il 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,
hal Turned you down, eh? Poor old
Brandy You're my best friend, and
dammit I'm sorry. ! mean to say"
he went on in some embarrassment,
I'm sorry for you. or course, you
can hardly expect me to-er-"
Certainly not" accepted Booth
amiably. Il quite understand"
Then, since she's refused you, you
might wish me better luck"
THAT would mean giving up hope"
''Hope?" exclaimed Leslie quickly.
You don't mean to say you1l annoy
her with your"
mo. shall not annoy her." replied !
his friend. shaking his head