The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1914-06-13

Ny al II n al lOuI anu @
half later than usual-he smoked his
pipe on the porch and stared reminis
Gently at the shifting clouds above the
tree'tops.
He did not see the Wrandall motor
at his garden gate unth a lus evoice
brought him down from the clio into
the range of earthly sounds. her
he dashed out to the gate, barrel iced
and coatless, forgetting that nd 2d
been sitting in the obscurity of ira 8
vines and purple blossoms the " 6
he thought of her.
Leslie was sitting on the wide sd
between his mother and sister.
Glad to see you back, old MANY
said Booth, reaching in to shake hands
with him. Day early, aren't you /?
Good afternoon, Mrs. Wrandall. Won't
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 hesitated. I'm not quite surS
whether can, Vivian. I've got half
way sort Of"
"Oh. do, old chap" cut in Leslie
more as a command than an entreatS
Sorry | 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 | mean?"
I'VE shall expect you, Brandon"
said Mrs. Wrandall, fixing him with
her lorgnette.
III come, thank you" said he.
He felt disgustingly transparent un-
der that inquisitive glass.
Wrandall stepped out Of the car.
I'll stop of 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, tits good to see
you. Pat!" He called through a base
ment window. Come up and take the
gentleman's order"
mo drink for me. Brandy. I've been|
In the temperance state of Maine for|
two weeks. One week more OF II andI
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 a match and applied 1t, Leslie
watching him with moody eyes.
How do you like the portrait, old
MANI" he inquired between punctul
ating puffs.
It's 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 did, said Leslie sourly. II
was Mr.. Fix-it sure enough" He al
lowed a short interval to elapse be.
fore taking the plunge. 81 suppose.
Did chap. If l 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. Il mean to say.
IN some one-well. some one not |
quite up to the mark"
Leslie regarded him with some &C.
'erity. "Of course not, old chan.
What the devil put that into your
lead"
81 thought that possibly you'd been
making a chump of yourself up in
he Maine woods"
"Piffle! Don't be an ass. What's
he sense pretending you don't know
Who she is?"
Il suppose its Hetty Castleton.
aid Booth. putting away at his pine
Who else?"
Think she'll have you, old mani"
sked Booth, after moment
Il don't know" replied the otber
bit dashed. You might wish me
lck. though"
Booth knocked the burnt tobacco
rom the bowl of his pipe. A serious
ne appeared between his eyes. He
'as a fair-minded fellow. without
uile, without a single treacherous
lstinct.
i can't wish you luck, Les" he
aid slowly. You see Pm-I'm in
we with her myself"
The devil!" Leslie sat holt I'm.
ght and glared at him. 81 might
ave known! And-and is she in
we with your"
My dear fellow, you reveal con.
derable lack of tact in asking that
lestion."
what | want to know is this" ex.
aimed Wrandall, very pale but very
Of; rs she going to marry your"
Booth smiled. I'll be perfectly
ank with you. She says she WON'T, ,
err"
obviously"
And she said she wouldn't? She ,
FUSED you? Turned you down." His
Tile mustache shot up at the ends
Id 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. L
m sorry for you. OF course, you
n hardly expect me to-er-" C
certainly not" accepted Booth [
1iably "I nuito pndarssso a