The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1914-09-03
ceal the look of shame that leaped in.

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"
Il 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 lack of his mind that
he was trying to get at III 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 multitude of
doubts he added: "Of course, / 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 a thing |
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
declaration. THE old family castle
isn't very much of an asset, take It,"
II fancy you can trust Colonel Cas-
tleton 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, I'm
convinced of that. Strange, however,
that / haven't heard a word from him
since he left US in London. Pve 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 fying?" 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
a father of hers, I've been congratu-
lating myself that there isn't the re-
motest chance of his ever becoming
my father-in-law. And, by George,
you'll never know how near l was to
leaping blindly into the brambles.
What close call had!"
Booths sarcastic smile was hidden
by the dusk. He made no pretense of
openly resenting the meanness of
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 greater
than nature made it in the beginning"
What do you mean by 'nature?"
Mature gave her father, didn't
it?"
obviously"
"Well, why add insult to injury?"
"By Jove! Oh, l say, old mani"
They parted at the next corner. AS
Booth started to cross over to the
Plaza, Leslie called out after him:
Il say, Brandy, just second, please.
Are you going to marry Miss Castle
ton"
Il am"
Then, retract the scurvy things l
me three times and she refused me
three times. What / said about the
brambles was rotten. I'd ask her again
If Thought she's have me. There you
are, old fellow. I'm rotten cad, but
/ apologize to you just the same"
You're learning, Leslie" said Booth,
taking the hand the other held out to
him.
While the painter was dining at his
club later on in the evening, he was
called to the telephone. Watson was
on the wire. He said that Mrs. Wran-
dali would like to know if Mr.. Booth
could drop in on her for few min
utes after dinner, Ito discuss a very
important matter, if you please, sir"
At nine o'clock, Booth was in Sara 8
library, trying to grasp new and re-
markable phase in the character of
that amazing woman.
He found Hetty waiting for him
when he arrived.
Il don't know what it all means,
Brandon" she said hurriedly, looking
over her shoulder as she spoke. Sara
says that she has come to a decision
of some sort. She wants us to hear
her plan before making it final. IL
don't understand her at all tonight"
1T can't be anything serious, dear
est" he said, but something cold and
nameless oppressed him just the same.
"She asked me If had finally de-