Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1914-08-14
CHAPTER xx.-Continued.

you ABOUT MS plduS-
MY father does not know that
have returned to New York"
oh, | see. OF course. Um-um! BY
the way, think the colonel is a cork
er. One of TIE most amiable thorough
breds I've ever come across. Ripping.
your antipathy toward him, but ! can
see with half an eye that he is terribly
depressed about it. Can't you get to-
gether some way on"
Really, Mr.. Wrandall, you are en-
couraging your imagination to point
where words ultimately must fail you"
she said very positively. Booth could
hardly repress chuckle.
It's not imagination on my part"
said Leslie with conviction, failing ut
terly to recognize the obvious. 81 sup
pose you know that he Is coming over
to visit me for six weeks or SO. We be-
came rafting good friends before We
parted. My Jove. you should hear him
on old Lord Murgatroyd's will! The
Quintessence of wit! / couldn't take 1t
as he does. Expectations and all that
sort of thing. you know, going up like
a hot air balloon and bursting in plain
view But he never squeaked. Laughed
1t of. A British attribute, ! dana say
! suppose you know that he is obliged
to sell his estate in Ireland?"
Hetty started. She could not con-
ceal the look of shame that leaped in
to her eyes.
IL did not know" she murmured.
Must be quite a shock to you. Sit
down, Brandy. You look very pictur-
esque standing, but chairs were made
to sit upon-or In, whichever is proper.
Booth shrugged his shoulders.
Il think I'll stand. IL you don't mind.
Les"
Il merely suggested 1t. old chap.
fearing you might have overlooked the
possibilities. Yes, Miss Castleton, he
left us in London to 60 up to Belfast
on this dismal business" There was
something in the back Of his mind that
he was trying to get at in a tactful
manner. by the way. Is this property
entailed"
Il know nothing at all about 1t. Mr..
Wrandall." said she. with a pleading
glance at her lover, as II to inquire
what stand she should take In this dis
treasing situation.
III 1t is entailed he can't sell it."
said Booth quietly.
That's true" said Leslie, some
what obviously. Then, with a mag
nanimity that covered q multitude of
doubts he added: "Of course, l am
only interested in seeing that you are
properly protected. Miss Castleton.
I've no doubt you hold an interest In
the estates"
Il can't very well discuss a thing
know absolutely nothing about" she
said succinctly.
Most of It IL In building lots and
factories in Belfast, of course. It was
more in the nature of a question than
q declaration. The old family castle
isn't very much Of an asset, take It."
Il fancy you can trust Colonel Cas-
Teton to make the best possible deal
In the premises" said Booth drily.
Il suppose So" said the other re-
signedly. He is a shrewd beggar. I'm
convinced of that. Strange, however.
that l haven't heard word from him
since he left US in London. I've been
expecting cablegram from him every
day for nearly Q fortnight, letting me
know when to expect him"
Are you going to California this
winter for the flying?" asked Hetty.
Sara entered at that juncture, and
they all sat down to listen for half an
hour to Leslie's harangue on the way
the California meet was being mis-
managed. 1T the end of which he de-
parted.
He took Booth away with him, much
to that young mans disgust.
DO you know. Brandy, old fellow"
said he as they walked down Fifth ave-
nue. In the gathering dusk of the early
winter evening. ever since I've begun
to suspect that damned old humbug of
father of hers, I've been congratu.
lating myself that there isn't the re-
hottest chance of his ever becoming
my father-in-law. And. by George,
you'll never know how near / was to
leaping blindly into the brambles.
What close call had!"
Booths sarcastic smile was hidden
oy the dusk. He made no pretense OF
openly resenting the meanness of
spirit that moved Leslie to these cad
dish remarks. He merely announced
In dry. cutting voice:
Il think Miss Castleton is to be con-
graduated that her injury is no greater
than nature made 1t in the beginning"
What do you mean by 'nature?"
Nature gave her a father. didn't
it?"
obviously"
We'll, why add insult to injury"
by Jove! oh. say, old mani"
They parted at the next corner. As
Booth started to cross over to the
Plaza, Leslie called out after him:
IL say. Brandy, just second. please.
Are you going to marry Miss Castle
toni"
Il am"
Then, ! retract the scurvy things I
said back there. asked her to marry
me three times and she refused me
three times. What / said about the
brambles was rotten. I'd ask her again
II thought she's have me. There you
are. old fellow. I'm a rotten cad, but
l apologize to you just the same"
You're learning. Leslie" said Booth,
taking the hand the other held out to
him.