The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1914-06-18
CHAPTER VII.
A Faithful Crayon-Point

A Faithful Crayon-Point.
Leslie Wrandall came out on the
eleven-thirty Hetty was at the station
with the motor, a sullen resentment
in her heart, but a welcoming smile
on her lips. The sun shone brightly
The sound glared with the white of re-
fected skies.
Il thought of catching the eight
o'clock" he cried enthusiastically, as
he dropped his bag beside the motor
in order to reach over and shake
hands with her. That would have
gotten me here hours earlier. The diff
ficulty was that I didn't think of the
eight o'clock until I awoke at nine"
And then you had the additional
task of thinking about breakfast"
said Hetty, but without trace Of sar-
casm in her manner.
Il never think Of breakfast" said
he amiably. Il merely eat it. OF
course, it's a task to eat it sometimes,
but-well, how are you? How do you
like it out here?'
He was beside her on the broad
seat, his face beaming, his gay little
mustache pointing upward at the ends
like oblique brown exclamation points,
so expansive was his smile.
Il adore it," she replied, her own
smile growing in response to his. 1t
was impossible to resist the good ma
ture of him. She could not dislike
him, even though she dreaded him
deep down in her heart Her blood
was hot and cold by turns when she
was with him, as her mind opened and
shut to thoughts pleasant and unpleas-
ant with something of the regularity
of a fish's gills in breathing.
When l get to heaven l mean to
have a place in the country the year
round" he said conclusively.
And if you don't get to heaven"
Il suppose I'll take furnished fat
somewhere"
Sara was waiting for them at the
bottom of the terrace as they drove
up. He leaped out and kissed her
hand.
Much obliged" he murmured. with
a slight twist Of his head in the direc-
ton of Hetty, who was giving orders
to the chauffeur
with a smile of understanding. She S
lovely, isn't she?'
"Enchanting!" said he, almost too
loudly.
Hetty walked up the long ascent
ahead of them. She did not have to
look back to know that they were
watching her with unfaltering interest
She could feel their gaze.
absolutely adorable" he added, en-
larging his estimate without really be
ing aware that he voiced it.
Sara shot a look at his rapt face
and turned her own away to hide the
queer little smile that flickered briefly
and died away.
Hetty, pleading a sudden headache
declined to accompany them later or
in the day when they set forth in the
car to "pick up" Brandon Booth at the
inn. They were to bring him over
bag and baggage, to stay till Tuesday
, He will be wild to paint her." de
clared Leslie when they were out O.
sight around the bend in the road. He
, had waved his hat to Hetty just be
! fore the trees shut off their view O
, her She was standing at the top o
the steps beside one Of the tall Italian
vases.
I've never seen such eyes," he ex
. claimed.
She's a darling" said Sara am
. changed the subject, knowing full vel
< that he would come back to it befor
long.
v I'm mad about her." he said sim
r ply, and then, for some unaccountabl
reason, gave over being loquaciou
g and lapsed into a state of almos
d lugubrious quiet.
:, She glanced at his face, furtivel
at first, as If uncertain of his MOOD
t then with a prolonged stare that wa
frankly curious and amused.
Il Don't lose your head, Leslie" sh
It said softly, almost purringly.
y He started "Oh. l say, Sara. II
l. not likely to"
" stranger things have happened.
she interrupted, with shake of he
head. Il can't afford to have 20
h making love to her and getting tire
q of the game, as you always do. dea
3. boy, just as soon as you find she
3, in love with you. She is too dear
It be hurt in that way. You mustn't
10 Good Lord!" he cried; what
bounder you must take me for! VIII,