The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1914-09-10

left the room
Sara smiled.
Many minutes passed before the two
Wrandalls put in an appearance. She
understood the delay. They were
telephoning to certain legal advisers.
What's this l hear, Sara?" demand
ed Leslie, extending his hand after a
seconds hesitation.
She shock hands with him, not list
lessly but with the vigor born of nerv-
BUSINESS.
Il don't know what you've heard"
she said pointedfy
His slim fingers went searching for
the end of his moustache.
"Why-why, about selling out to
u.s." he stammered
i am willing to retire from the firm
of Wrandall & Co.," she said.
Father says the business is as good
as 1t was year ago, but I don't agree
with him." said the son, trying to
look lugubrious.
Then you don't care to repeat your
original proposition?"
We'll, the way business has been
falling Off
perhaps you would prefer to sell
out to me-" she remarked quietly.
mot at ALI" he said quickly, with
surprised glance at his father. eve
couldn't think of letting the business
pass out Of the Wrandall name"
"You forget that my name is Wran-
DALI she rejoined. There would be
m
name; merely it's membership"
Our original offer stands said the
senior Wrandall stiff1y eve prefer
to buy"
"And I to SELL Mr.. Carroll will
meet you tomorrow, gentlemen. He
will represent me as usual Our bust
ness as well as social relations are
about to end, I suppose My only re
greet is that | cannot further accom-.
modate you by changing my name
Still you may live in hope that time
may work even that wonder for you. "
She arose. The two men regarded
her in an aggrieved way for a mo-
ment.
Il have no real feeling of hostility
toward you, Sara" said Leslie nerv.
o!asly, ''in spite of all that you said
the other night
Il am afraid you don't mean that
deep down in your heart, Leslie" she
said, with a queer little smile
But l do" he protested Hang it
all, we've live in a glass house our
selves, Sara l dare say, in a way,
was quite as unpleasant as the rest
of the family. You see, we just can't
help being snobs. It's in us, that's all
there is to it."
Mr.. Wrandall looked up from the
floor, his gaze having dropped at the
first outburst from his sons lips.
We've prefer to be friendly, Sara
if you will allow US
She laughed and the old gentleman
stopped in the middle of his sentence
eve can't be friends, Mr. Wran.
DALI" she said, suddenly serious "The
pretence would be mockery We
are all better off if we allow our paths
our interests to diverge today
Perhaps you are right" said he
COMPRISING his lips
Il believe that Vivian and I could
that either. There is something genu.
inc about her Strange to say, l have
never disliked her.
eff you had made the slightest eff
fort to like us, no doubt we could
have"
my dear Mr.. Wrandall," she inter
rupted quickly, 81 credit you with the
desire to be fair and just to me. You
have tried to like me. You have even
deceived yourself at times but
why these gentle recriminations? We
merely prolong an unfortunate con
test between antagonistic natures
with no hope of genuine peace being
established. l do not regret that ]
am your daughter-in-law, nor do l be
lieve that you would regret it if 1 had
not been the daughter of Sebastian
Gooch."
Your father was as little impress
ed with my son as 1 was with his
daughter" said Redmond Wrandal
drily. Il am forced to confess that he
was the better judge. We had the
better of the bargain"
II believe you mean it, MI. Wran
DALI" she said. a note of gratitude IL
her voice. Goodbye. Mr. Carroll
| will see you tomorrow" She glanced
quickly about the room. Il shall senG
for-for certain articles that are nc
longer required in conducting the bus
mess of Wrandall & Co."
With a quaint little smile, she indi
Gated the two photographs Of herself
by Jove. Sara" burst out Leslie
| abruptly. 81 wish you'd let me have
that Gypsy Nab picture. I've always
been dotty over it, don't you know
Ripping study"
Her lip curled slightly.
CAS- matter of fact" he explained
conclusively, "Chal often said he'd
leave it to me when he died In a
jokingfway, of course, but I'm sure he
meant it"
you may have it, Leslie" she said
slowly. 1t is doubtful If he correctly
interpreted the movement of her head
as she uttered the words.
Thanks" said he. "I'1l hang it in
my den, if you don't object"
1--WE shall expect Mr.. Carroll tomor-
row, Sara" said his father, with an air
of finality Goodbye. May 1 ask
what plans you are making for the
winter?"
s.Thav GRO verv indafinite.