Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1914-08-29
CHAPTER xx.-continued.

My father does not Know lndl
have returned to New York
ooh, I see. Of course. Um-umi By
the way, think the colonel is cork
er. One of the most amiable thorough
breds I've ever come across. Ripping
He's never said anything to me about
your antipathy toward him, but / can
see with half an eye that he Is terribly
depressed about 1t. Can't you get to-
gether some way on"
Really. Mr.. Wrandall, you are en-
couraging your Imagination to point
where words ultimately must fail you"
she said very positively Booth could
hardly repress a chuckle.
tits not imagination on my part,
said Leslie with conviction, failing ut
terly to recognize the obvious. 81 sup
pose you know that he is coming over
10 visit me for six weeks or so. We be-
came rafting good friends before we
parted. My Jove, you should hear him
on old Lord Murgatroyds will! The
quintessence of wit! l couldn't take 1t
as he does Expectations and all that
sort of thing. you know, going up like
a hot air balloon and bursting in plain
view But he never squeaked. Laughed
1T off. A British attribute, l dare say.
1 suppose you know that he is obliged
to sell his estate in Ireland?"
Hetty started. She could not con-
ceai the look of shame that leaped in
to her eyes.
"I-I did not know" she murmured.
"Must be quite shock to you. Sit
down, Brandy. You look very pictur
esque standing. but chairs were made
to sit upon-or In, whichever is proper.
Booth shrugged his shoulders.
81 think I'll stand, IL you don't mind,
Les"
81 merely suggested 1t, old chap,
fearing you might have overlooked the
possibilities. Yes, Miss Castleton, he
left US in London to go up to Belfast
on this dismal business" There was
something in the back of his mind that
ne was trying to get at in a tactful
manner. "By the way, is this property
entaiied?"
'I know nothing at all about 1t, Mr..
Wrandall." said she, with pleading
glance at her lover, as IL to inquire
what stand she should take in this dis
tressing situation.
eff it is entailed he can't sell it,
said Booth quietly.
That's true" said Leslie, some
what obviously. Then, with a mag
nanimity that covered a multitude of
doubts he added: "Of course, l am
only interested in seeing that you are
properly protected, Miss Castleton.
I've no doubt you hold an interest in
the estates"
81 can't very we'll discuss a thing I
know absolutely nothing about" she
said succinctly.
Most of it is in building lots and
factories in Belfast, of course. 1t was
more in the nature of a question than
a declaration. THE old family castle
isn't very much of an asset, l take 1t.
"I fancy you can trust Colonel Cas-
Teton to make the best possible deal
in the premises" said Booth drily.
Il suppose so.'' said the other re
signedly. He is a shrewd beggar, Tn
convinced of that. Strange, however
that l haven't heard a word from hin
since he left us in London. I've beer
expecting a cablegram from him every
day for nearly fortnight, letting ms
know when to expect him"
Are you going to California THU
winter for the fiying?'' asked Hetty.
Sara entered at that juncture, ant
they all sat down to listen for half al
hour to Leslie's harangue on the wa.
the California meet was being mis-
managed, at the end of which he de
parted.
He took Booth away with him, nue.
to that young mans disgust
do you know, Brandy, old fellow,
said he as they walked down Fifth ave
nue. in the gathering dusk of the earl
winter evening. "ever since I've begu
to suspect that damned old humbug c
father of hers, I've been congratl
lating myself that there isn't the n
hottest chance of his ever becomin
my father-in-law. And, by Georg,
you'll never know how near / was t
ieaping blindly into the bramble
What a close call | hadi"
Booths sarcastic smile was -hidde
by the dusk. He made no pretense {
openly resenting the meanness {
spirit that moved Leslie to these ca,
dish remarks. He merely announce
in dry. cutting voice:
Il think Miss Castleton is to be col
graduated that her injury is no create
than nature made it in the beginning
What do you mean by nature %"
Mature gave her father, didn
ita.
obviously"
We'll, why add insult to injury 7''
BY Jove, oh. l say. old mani"
They parted. at the next corner A
Booth started to cross over to Ii
Plaza, Leslie called out after him.
81 say. Brandy. just second, pleas
Are you going to marry Miss Cast