Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1914-08-07
CHAPTER xx.-contlnued.

"Oh, / see. OF course. Um-um! 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 l can
see with half an eye that he is terribly
depressed about it. Can't you get to-
gether some way on"
Really, Mr.. Wrandall, you are en-
couraging your imagination to a 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. Il sup
pose you know that he is coming over
to 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! couldn't take it
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
it off. A British attribute, dare say
] suppose you know that he is obliged
to sell his estate in Ireland?"
Hetty started. She could not con-
ceal the look of shame that leaped in
70 her eyes.
IL 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, if you don't mind,
Les"
81 merely suggested it, 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
he was trying to get at in a tactful
manner. "By the way, is this property
entailed?"
81 know nothing at all about it, Mr..
Wrandall," said she, with pleading
glance at her lover, as If to inquire
what stand she should take in this dis
tressing situation.
IF it is entailed he can't sell It."
said Booth quietly.
That's true" said Leslie, some
what obviously. Then, with 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
Il can't very well discuss thing
know absolutely nothing about" she
said succinctly.
Most of 1t is in building lots and
factories in Belfast, Of course. 1t was
more in the nature of question than
a declaration. "The old family castle
isn't very much Of an asset, take it. y
II fancy you can trust Colonel Cas-
tleton to make the best possible deal
In the premises" said Booth drily.
81 suppose so" said the other re-
Eignedly. He is shrewd beggar, I'm
convinced of that Strange, however
that haven't heard a word from him
since he left us in London. I've been
expecting a cablegram from him every
day for nearly fortnight, letting me
know when to expect him"
Are you going to California this
winter for the tlying?" asked Hetty.
Sara entered at that juncture, and
they all sat down to listen for half an
hour to Leslie's harangue on the way
the California meet was being mis-
managed, at the end of which he de
parted.
He took Booth away with him, much
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 early
winter evening, ever since I've begun
to suspect that damned old humbug Of
father of hers, I've been congratu
lating myself that there isn't the re
hottest chance of his ever becoming
my father-in-law. And, by George
you'll never know how near l was t
leaping blindly into the brambles
What close call had!"
Booths sarcastic smile was bidder
by the dusk. He made no pretense o
openly resenting the meanness o
spirit that moved Leslie to these cad
dish remarks. He merely announced
in a dry, cutting voice:
81 think Miss Castleton is to be con
graduated that her injury is no create
than nature made it in the beginning
What do you mean by nature?'"
Nature gave her father, didn'
tt?"
obviously"
well, why add insult to injury?"
by Jove! Oh, say, old mani"
They parted at the next corner. A
Booth started to cross over to tn
Plaza, Leslie called out after him:
Il say Brandy, just a second, please
Are you going to marry Miss Castle
toni"
Il am"
Then, l retract the scurvy things
said back there. | asked her to MARI
me three times and she refused m