Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1914-06-18

| Sah Wion you iuChs Lcby uc
said slowly. You see I'm-I'm In
love with her myself"
The devil!" Leslie sat bolt up
right and glared at him. Il might
have knownl And-and IL 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 Wrandall, very pale but very
hot: "is she going to marry your"
Booth smiled. TN be perfectly
frank with you. She says she won't"
Leslie gulped. so you've asked
herr"
obviously"
And she said she wouldn't? She
refused you? Turned you DOWN." HIS
little mustache ehot up at the ends
and Joyous. triumphant laugh broke
from his lips. "Oh, this is rich! Ha.
| ha! Turned you down. Ell? Poor old
Brandy! You're my best friend, and
dammit I'm sorry. mean to say"
he went on In some embarrassment,
I'm sorry for you. OF course, you
can hardly expect me ter"
Certainly not" accepted Booth
amiably. IT quite understand"
Then, since she's refused you, you
migh4Nyish me better luck"
That would mean giving up hope"
"Hope?" 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.
Well, should hope not" said
Leslie with scowl. Turned you
down, Ell? Pom my SOUL" He ap-
peared to be relishing the idea of IT.
Sorry, old chap, but suppose you
understand just what that means"
Booths lips hardened for an In
slant, then relaxed into a queer, al
most plying smile.
And you want me to be your best
?" he said refiectively.
Leslie arose. His chest seemed to
swell little; assuredly he was breath
ing much easier. He assumed an
air Of compassion.
Il shan't insist, old fellow, II you
feel you'd rather not-er- See what
! mean?" 1t then occurred to him to
utter word or two Of kindly advice.
I shouldn't go on moping II were
you, Brandy. Pom my soul, shouldn't.
Take 1t like man. / know it hurts,
but Pooh! What's the use agra
waiting the pain by butting against q
stone wall?"
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.
Il think I'm taking it like a man,
Les" he said. Il only hope you'll
take it as nicely If she says nay 70
you
An uneasy look leaped into Leslies
face He seemed noticeably less cor
pulent about the chest. He wondered
II Booth knew anything about his
initial venture. A question rose to
his lips, but he thought quickly and
held 1t back. Instead, he glanced at
his watch
Il must be off. See you tomorrow,
hope"
so 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-
ton of sudden resolve.
Leslie did not waste time In part
ing inanities he strobe off briskly in
the direction Of home, but not without
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
his pipe once more.
The day was warm. and Leslie was
in 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 lower road toward
| Southlook, taking good care to avoid
boOtu pace ny Iu6 matter OF mile
or more. He was in 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 he came
again to Sara's in the middle of a
blazing afternoon, instead Of waiting
until the more seductive shades of
night had fallen, when the moon sat
serene in the seat OF the Mighty.
He didn't have to wait long for Het-
ty. Up to the instant Of her appear
ance in the door, he had reyeled in
the thought that the way was now
paved with roses. But with ner 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