The Cairo bulletin., 1914-04-11

s-es wss slloonyincins. She was wor-
thy or tae nob,est love.
As:sr k,ncSeon-scryed with some
eyasrsrs,ion by Patr.ck an hour and a
h-lf later than usual-he smoked his
Iipe on the porch and stared reminls-
Gently at the shifting clouds above the
tree tops.
lie did not see the Wrandall motor
al mis- garden gate until a lusty voice
brought him down from the clouds into
the range Of earthly sounds Then
he dashed out 10 the gate. bareheaded
and coatless, forgetting that he had
been sitting in the obscurity OF trailing
vines and purple blossoms the while
he Thought of her "
Leslie was sitting on the wide seat
between his mother and sister.
'ulad TO see YOU back, old man."
said Booth. reaching in 10 shake hands
with him. Day carly. aren't you!
Coed afternoon. Mrs. Wrandsll Won't
1 you come IN -
! He looked at Vivian as he gave the
invitation.
/ NO, thanks" she replied. Won't
you come to dinner this evening""
He hesitated. I'm not quite sure
whether can. Vivian. I've got half.
way sort Of"
oh do, old chap" cat in Leslie,
more az command than an entreaty.
Sorry cant be there myself but
I you'll fare quite as well without me.
I'm dining at Sara's. Wants my pri-
vate ear about one thing and another
see what mean?"
I'VE shall expect you. Brandon"
said Mrs. Wrandall. fixing him with
her lorgnette. 1
'lll come, thank you." said he.
lie felt disgustingly transparent UNI
der that inquisitiye glass.
Wrandall stepped out OF the car.
I'm stop off for a chat with Brandy.
| mother" @
Shall rend the car back, dear?"
! Never mind. I'll walk down."
! The two men turned in at the gate
as the car sped away.
We'll" said Booth. its good to see
I you. Pat." He called through a base
ment window. Come up and take the
, centlemans order"
! mo drink for me. Brandy. I've been
| in the temperance state OF Maine for
two weeks. One week more OF it and
I'd have been completely picked.
shall always remember Maine"
Booth sat down on the porch rail.
hooked hts toes in the supports and
proceeded to fll his pipe. Then he
struck match and applied it, Leslie
watching him with moody eyes.
How do you like the portrait, old
man." he inquired between punctu-
ating pufts
ITS bully Sargent never did any.
thing finer Ripping"
Il owe it all to you. Les"
ITO me?"
you induced her to sit to me-"
so | did, said Leslie sourly. u
was Mr. Fix-it sure enough" He al
lowed a short interval to elapse be
fore taking the plunge 81 suppose
old chap, If | should happen to neet
your valuable services as best mai
in the near future, you'd not disap
point me-"
Booth eyed him quilzically. Il trust
you're not throwing yourself away
Les" he said drily. Il mean to say
ON some one--well, some one not
quite UP to the mark
Iealle regarded him with some Sc
verify. "Of course not, old chap
What the devil put that into your
head?"
81 thought that possibly you'd been
making a chump Of yourself up in
the Maine woods"
"Pitile Don't be an ass. What's
the sense pretending you don't know
who she is?''
Il suppose it's Hetty Castleton
said Booth, putting away at his pipe
Who else?"
Think she'll have you. old man p
asked Booth, after moment.
Il don't know" replied the other
a bit dashed you might wish mt
luck, though"
Booth knocked the burnt tobacco
from the bowl OF his pipe. A seriou,
line appeared between his eyes. H,
was a fair-minded fellow, withou
guile. without single treacherou
instinct. ~
Il cant wish you luck, Les" h
said slowly. You see Tm-I'm Ii
love with her myself"
The devil" Leslie sat bolt ur
right and glared at him. Il nigh
have known. And--and is she il
, love with you?"
MY dear fellow, you reveal con
, siderable lack Of tact In asking tina
question"
. What | want to know Is this" e1
claimed Wrandall, very pale but YER
hot, is she going TO marry your?
Booth smiled. I'm be perfect
, frank with you. She says she won't.
Leslie gulped. so you've aske
herr"
: Obviously"
,"And she said abe Wouldn't Sh
1 refused you7 Turned you DOWN." Hi
= little mustache shot up at the end
and a joyous. triumphant laugh brok
! ET1I7ESs'N:;,z7