The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1914-05-07
TheHOllOW
- $ Of Her Hand
george Barr MoCutGheon

'F/S/T/ INK D/ |~LL///%'D ~ W. ~
guile, without a single treacherous
instinct.
'T can't wish you luck, Les" he
said slowly. "You see Tm-pm in
love with her myself"
'The DEVIL" Leslie sat bolt up
right and glared at him. Il might
have known! And-and is sne IN
love with your"
"My dear fellow, you reveal con-
siderable lack Of tact in asking that
question:
What 1 want to know is this" e1-
claimed Wrandall, very pale but very
hot: "is she going to marry you"
Booth smiled. "IIl be perfectly
frank with you. She says she won't"
Leslie gulped- $50 you've asked
herr"
obviously"
"And she said she wouldn't? She
refused you? Turned you DOWN." His
little mustache shot up at the ends
and a joyous, triumphant laugh broke
from his lips. "Oh, this is rich! Ha,
ha! Turned you down, eh? Poor old
Brandy! You're my best friend, and
dammit Pm sorry. I mean to say"
he went on In some embarrassment,
I'm sorry for you. OF course, you
can hardly expect me to-er-"
Certainly not" accepted Booth
amiably. "I quite understand"
Then, since she's refused you, you
might wish me better luck"
"That would mean giving up hope"
Hope?" exclaimed Leslie quickly.
"You don't mean to say you'll annoy
her with your"
mo, shall not annoy her." replied
his friend, shaking his head.
well, I should hope not" said
Leslie with a scowL "STumed you
down, eh? Pom my soul!" He ap-
peared to be relishing the idea Of it.
Sorry, old chap, but suppose you
understand just what that means"
Booths lips hardened for an in
slant, then relaxed into a queer, al
most plying smile.
"And you want me to be your best
mani" he said refectively.
Leslie arose. His chest seemed to
swell little; assuredly be was breath
ing much easier. He assumed an
air Of compassion.
81 shan't insist, old fellow, If you
feel you'd rather not-er- See what
1 mean?" It then occurred to him to
utter a word or two Of kindly advice.
"I shouldn't go on moping if I were
you, Brandy. 'Pon my soul, shouldn't.
Take it like man. I know 1t hurts,
but Pooh! What's the use aggra-
waiting the pain by butting against a
stone wall?"
His companion looked out over the
tree tops, his hands in his trousers
pockets, and it must be confessed
that his manner was not that Of one
who is oppressed by despair.
'T think I'm taking it like man,
Les" ne said. 81 only hope you'll
take it az nicely If she says nay to
you"
An uneasy look leaped into Leslie's
face. He seemed noticeably less cor
pulent about the chest. He wondered
if Booth knew anything about his
initial venture. A question rose to
his lips, but he thought quickly and
held it back. Instead, he glanced at
his watch.
"T must be off. See you tomorrow,
I hope"
$50 long," said Booth, stopping at
the top Of the steps while his visitor
skipped down to the gate with a
nimbleress that suggested the forma-
ton of sudden resolve.
Leslie did not waste time in part
ing inanities he strode of briskly in
the direction Of home, but not without
a furtive glance out Of the tail Of his
eye as he disappeared beyond the
hedgerow at the end Of Booths gar.
den. That gentleman was standing
where he had left him, and was filing
his pipe once more.
The day was warm, and Leslie was
in a dripping perspiraticn when he
reached home. He did not enter the
house but made his way direct to the
garage.
Get out the car at once, Brown,
was his order.
Three minutes later he was being
driven over the lower road toward
southlook, taking good care to avoid
Booths place by the matter Of a mile
or more. He was in a fever of hope
and eagerness. It was very plain to
him why she had refused Booth The
iron was hot. He didn't intend to
lose any time in striking.
And now we know why he came
again to Sara's in the middle of a
blazing afternoon, instead Of waiting
until the more seductive shades OF
night had fallen, when the moon sat
serene in the seat Of the Mighty.
.
He didn't have to wait long for Het-
ty. Up to the instant Of her appear,
ance in the door, he had. reveled in
the thought that the way was now
paved with roses. But with her en-
trance, he felt his confidence and
courage slipping. Perhaps that may
exnlain the abruptness with which he
proceeded to go about the business
in hand.
"I couldn't wait till tonight" he e1,
planned as she came slowly across
the room toward him. She was half.
way to him before he awoke to the
fact that he was standing perfectly
still. Then he started forward. some
how impelled to meet her at least
halfway. You'll forgive me, Hetty
il have disturbed YOU"
RpT DESCRIPTION OF FLATS