Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1914-06-26

can't WISH you luck, Les, ne
said slowly. You see Tm-Tm in
love with her myself"
THE devil!" Leslie sat bolt up
right and glared at him. 81 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 l want to know is this" ex-
claimed Wrandall, very pale but very
hot: 'is she going to marry your"
Booth smiled. T1l 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! Ha,
ha! Turned you down, Ell? Poor old
Brandy! You're my best friend, and
dammit I'm sorry. l mean 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. Il quite understand"
Then, since she's refused you, you
might wish me better luck"
That would mean giving up hope"
"Hope?" exclaimed Leslie quickly.
you don't mean 70 say you'll annoy
her with your"
mo, l shall not annoy her." replied
his friend, shaking his head.
We'll, should hope not" said
Leslie with a scowl. Turned you
down, eh2 Pom my SOUL" He ap-
peared to be relishing the idea of it,
Sorry, old chap, but I 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
MANI" he said retiectively.
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.
Il shouldn't go on moping If were
you, Brandy. Pom my soul, shouldn't
Take 1t like a man. l know 1t hurts,
but Pooh! What's the use aggra-
waiting the pain by butting against a
stone WALTZ"
His companion looked cut over the
tree tops, his hands in his trousers
pockets, and it 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 to
you"
An uneasy look leaped into Leslie
face. He seemed noticeably less cor.
pulent about the chest, He wondered
If Booth knew anything about his
initial venture. A question rose to
his lips, but he thought quickly and
| held 1t back Instead, he glanced al
his watch.
81 must be off. See you tomorrow
hope"
so long," said Booth, stopping al
the top of the steps while his visitor
skipped down to the gate with a
nimbleness that suggested the forma
ton of a sudden resolve.
Leslie did not waste time in part
ing inanities he strobe off briskly II
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 HI
reached home. He did not enter thu
house but made his way direct to thu
garage.
Get out the car at once, Brown
was his order.
Three minutes later he was bein,
driven over the lower road towart
Southlook, taking good care to avoi,
Booths place by the matter of a mil
or more. He was in a fever of hop
and eagerness. 1t was very plain t,
him why she had refused Booth. TIL
iron was hot. He didn't intend t.
lose any time in striking.
And now we know why he cam
again to Sara's in the middle of
blazing afternoon, instead of waiting
until the more seductive shades o
night had fallen, when the moon ga
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 reveled Il
the thought that the way was nov
paved with roses. But with her er
trance, he felt his confidence an
courage slipping. Perhaps that ma
explain the abruptness with which h
proceeded to go about the bushes
in hand.
81 couldn't wait till tonight" he e,
planned as she came slowly acros
the room toward him. She was hal
wav RI him hefore ha awoka IN III