The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1914-12-03

~ W AoSh NNSp hN
said slowly. You see Im-I'm In
love with her myself"
The dewitt" Leslie sat bolt up.
right and glared at him. II might
have known! And--and Is she In
love with your"
MY dear fellow. you reveal con
siderable lack Of tact In asking that
question"
What / want to know Is this" ex-
claimed WrandalI, very pale but very
hot: "s she going TO marry your"
Booth smiled. "I1l 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! Hin.
ha! Turned you down, eh? Poor old
Brandy! You're my best friend, and
dammit I'm sorry. l mea 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. 81 quite understand"
Then. since she's refused you. you
might wish me better luck"
That would mean giving up hope"
Hopper" exclaimed Leslie quickly.
You don't mean to say you'll annoy
her with your"
NO, | shall not annoy her." replied
his friend, shaking his head.
We'll, l should hope not" said
Leslie with a scowl. Turned you
down, Ell? Pom my soul!" He ap-
peared to be reltshing tbs idea of Il.
Sorry, old chap, but ] suppose you
understand Just what that means"
Booths lips hardened for an in
slant, then relaxed into q queer, al
most plying smile.
And you want me 70 be your best
man." he said refectively.
Leslie His chest seemed to
swell a little; assuredly no was breath
Ing much easier. He assumed an
air OF compassion.
Il shan't insist old fellow, II o
feel you'd rather not-er- See what
| mean?' 1t then occurred to him to
utter q word or two OF kindly advice.
Il shouldn't go on moping If | were
you, Brandy. Pom my soul, ! shouldn't
Take 1t like a man. / know 1t hurts,
but Pooh! What's the use aggra-
waiting the pain by butting against a
stone WALTZ"
His companion looked out over the
tree tops. his hands in his trousers
pockets, and 1t must be confessed
that his manner was not that Of one
who is oppressed by despair.
y think I'm taking 1t like a man,
Les" he said. Il only hope you'll
take 1t as nicely II she says nay to
you"
An uneasy look leaped into Leslie's
face. He seemed noticeably less cor
puient about the chest. He wondered
II Booth knew anything about his
initial venture. A question o to
his lips. but he thought quickly and
held 1t back Instead, he glanced at
his watch.
Il must be OF. See you tomorrow,
l hope"
$50 long," said Booth, stopping at
the top Of the steps while his visitor
skipped down to the gate with a
nimbleness that suggested the forma-
tion Of a sudden resolve.
: Leslie did not waste time in part
ing inanities he strobe 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 filling
ais pipe once more.
The day was warm. and Leslie was
7 In a dripping perspiration 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 lover road toward
S~outhlook, taking good care to avoid
Booths place by the n:atter Of a mile
or more. He was In a fever of hope
and eagerness. 1t 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 no came
again to Sara'e In the middle Of q
blazing afternoon. instead of waiting
until the moro seductive shades of
aight had fallen. when the moon sat
serene In the seat Of the Mighty.
He didn't have to walt long for Het.
t.. 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
explain the abruptness with which he
proceeded to 60 about the business
In hand.
II couldn't wait till tonight" he ex.
planned as she came slowly across
the room toward him. She wal half
way to him before he awoks to the
fact that he was standing perfectly
still. Then he started forward. some
how impelled 70 meet her at least
halfway. "YosD forgive mA Hakty.
b have disennAsA Dsa