The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1914-07-25
CHAPTER xX.-Continued.

MY father does not know that l
have returned to New York"
"Oh, / see. OF course. Um-um! BY |
the way, think the colonel Is cork
er. One of tts most amiable thorough
breds I've ever come across. Ripping.
He's never said anything to me about
your antipathy toward him, but i 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 chuckle.
Its 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 Murgatroyd's will! The
Quintessence of wit! l couldn't take it
as he does. Expectations and all that
sort of thing, you know, going up like
hot air balloon and bursting in plain
view. But he never squeaked. Laughed
1t of. A British attribute, daIse say.
suppose you know that he is obliged
to sell his estate in lreland?"
Hetty started. She could not con-
ceal the look of shame that leaped in
to her eyes.
II 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 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
he was trying to get at in a tactful
manner. by the way. Is this property
entailed?"
Il know nothing at all about it, Mr..
Wrandall," said she, with pleading
glance at her lover, as II 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"
II can't very we'll 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.
Il fancy you can trust Colonel Cas-
Teton to make the best possible dea
in the premises" said Booth drily.
81 suppose So" said the other re
signedly. He is a shrewd beggar. I'm
convinced of that. Strange, however
that haven't heard a word from hin
since he left US In London. I've beer
expecting cablegram from him every
day for nearly fortnight, letting me
know when to expect him."
Are you going TO California thi!
winter for the fying?" 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, 1T the end of which he de
parted.
He took Booth away with him, mucl
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 begul
to suspect that damned old humbug o
a 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 hidde
by the dusk. He made no pretense G
openly resenting the meanness G
spirit that moved Leslie to these Gao
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 a father. didn
IT."
Obviously"
We'll, why add insult to injury?"
by Jove! oh. say. old mani"
They parted at the next corner A
Booth started to cross over to II
Plaza, Leslie called out after him:
Il say, Brandy, just second, pleas
Are you going to marry Miss Cast
toni"
Il am"
"Then, retract the scurvy things
said back there. l asked her to mari
me three times and she refused n
three times. What l said about Il
brambles was rotten. I'd ask her aga
il l thought she's have me. There "
are, old fellow. I'm rotten cad, b
apologize to you just the same"