The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1914-05-09
CHAPTER VII.
A. Faithful Crayon-Point.


Leslie Wrandall came out on the
eleven-thirty. Hetty was at the station
with the motor, a sullen resentment
in her heart, but a welcoming smile
on her lips. The sun shone brightly.
The sound glared with the white OF re-
flected skies.
II thought Of catching the eight
o'clock" he cried enthusiastically, as
he dropped his bag beside the motor
in order to reach over and shake
hands with her. That would have
gotten me here hours earlier. The diff
ficulty was that | didn't think of the
eight o'clock until l awoke at nine"
And then you had the additional
task of thinking about breakfast"
said Hetty, but without trace of sar-
casm in her manner.
Il never think of breakfast" said
he amiably. II merely eat 1t. OF
course, it's task to eat 1t sometimes,
but-well. how are you? How do you
like it out here?'
He was beside her on the broad
seat, his face beaming. his gay little
mustache pointing upward at the ends
like oblique brown exclamation points,
so expansive was his smile.
Il adore it." she replied. her own
smile growing in response to his. 1t
was impossible to resist the good ma
ture of him. She could not dislike
him, even though she dreaded him
deep down In her heart Her blood
was hot and cold by turns when she
was with him, as her mind opened and
shut to thoughts pleasant and unpleas-
ant with something of the regularity
of flsh's gills in breathing.
when l get to heaven I mean to
have a place in the country the year
round" he said conclusively.
And II you don't get to heaven"
81 suppose I'll take furnished fat
somewhere"
Sara was waiting for them at the
bottom OF the terrace as they drove
up. He leaped out and kissed her
hand.
Much obliged" he murmured, with
a slight twist of his head in the direc-
ton of Hetty, who was giving orders
to the chauffeur.
You're quite welcome" said Sara,
with smile Of understanding. She's
lovely, isn't she"
"Enchanting!" said he, almost too
loudly.
Hetty walked up the long ascent
ahead of them. She did not have to
look back to know that they were
watching her with unfaltering interest.
She could feel their gaze.
Absolutely adorable" he added, en-
larging his estimate without really be-
| ing aware that he voiced it.
Sara shot a look at his rapt face,
| and turned her own away to hide the
queer little smile that flickered briefly
and died away.
Hetty, pleading a sudden headache.
declined to accompany them later on
in the day when they set forth in the
car to pick up" Brandon Booth at the
inn. They were to bring him over,
bag and baggage. to stay till Tuesday.
He will be wild to paint her." de-
clared Leslie when they were out Of
sight around the bend In the road. He
had waved his hat to Hetty just be-
fore the trees shut OF their view of
her. She was standing at the top Of
the steps beside one of the tall Italian
vases.
1--WE never seen such eyes," he ex.
claimed.
She's q darling" said Sara and
changed the subject, knowing full well
that he would come back to 1t before
long.
I'm mad about her." he said sim.
ply, and then, for some unaccountable
reason. gave over being loQuacious
and lapsed into a state of almost
lugubrious quiet.
She glanced at his face, furtively
at first, as II uncertain Of his mood
then with a prolonged stare that was
frankly curious and amused.
Don't lose your head. Leslie" she
said softly, almost purringly.
He started. "Oh, say, Sara, I'm
not likely to"
stranger things have happened.
she interrupted. with a shake of her
head. 81 can't afford to have you
making love to her and getting tired
of the game, as you always do, dear
boy. Just as soon as you find she's
in love with you. She is too dear to
be hurt in that way. You mustn't
Good Lord!" he cried; what q
boundsr you must take me for! Why