The Forrest City times., 1914-07-10
CHAPTER Xx.-Continued.

Obf bSt VI tOul bt U ny the way. think the colonel is cork or. 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 zee with half an eye that he Is terribly depressed about 1t. Can't you get to- gether some way on"
 Really, Mir 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.
 Its not imagination on my part" said Leslie with conviction, failing ut terly to recognize the obvious. q sup pose you know that he is coming over td visit me for six weeks or so. We be- came rattling good friends before we parted. My love, you should hear him on old Lord Mursatroyds will! The Quintessence of witt I couldn't take it as he does. Expectations and all that sort of thing. you know, going up like 6 hot air balloon and bursting in plain view. But he never squeaked. Laughed
  l suppose you know that he is obliged to sell his estate in Ireland2"
 Hetty started. She could not con ceal the look of shame that leaped in- to her eyes.
 TT did not know" she murmured
 Must be quite a 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.
 'I think I'll stand, if you don't mind, Les"
 "I 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?"
 T know nothing at all about it, MT. Wrandall," said she, with a pleading glance at her lover, as if to inquire what stand she should take in this dis tressing situation.
 "If 1t Is entailed he cant sell it," said Booth quietly.
 That's true" said Leslie some what dubiously. Then, with a mag nanimity that covered multitude of doubts he added: "Of course, l am only interested in seeing that you are properly protected, Miss Castleton. ysun hnJ ipto ir, the estates.'
 T can't very well discuss a thing know absolutely nothing about" she said succinctly.
 Most of 1t ia In building lots and factories in Belfast, of course. It was more in the nature of a question than a declaration. The old family castle isn't very much of an asset, take it."
 T fancy you can trust Colonel Cas- ueton to make the best possible deal in the premises" said Booth drily.
 'I suppose so," said the other re- signedly. He Is a shrewd beggar, I'm convinced of that. Strange, however, that haven't heard 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 fying?" asked Hetty.
 Sara entered at that iuncture, 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 ysu know, Brandy. old fellow" {" said he as they walked down Fifth ave nue in the gathering dusk of the early winter evening, lever since I've begun to suspect that damned old humbug of a father of hers, I've been congratu- latiug myself that there isn't the re- motest chance of his ever becoming my father-in-law, And, by George, youll never know how near l was to leaping blindly into the brambles. What a close call hadi"
 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 dry, cutting voice:
 T think Miss Castleton is to be con graduated that her injury is no greater than nature made 1t in the beginning
 What do you mean by 'nature?'"
 Nature gave her a father, didn't ur'
 Obviously"
 Well, why add insult to injury?"
 By love! Oh, say, old man!"
 They parted at the next corner. As Booth started to cross over to the Plaza, Leslie called out after him:
 ''I say Brandy, just second. please Are you going to marry Miss Castle ton?"
 'I am."
 Then. retract the scurvy things l said back there. l asked her to marry me three times and she refused me three times. What l said about the brambles was rotten, I'd ask her again if l thought she's have me. There you