The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-01-08
"Ripping"' This to tho pic.

length. 'Ripping!" This to tho pic.
turc.
She paused near tho door to stare
nt MN Tor a moment, unuttcrable scorn
IN her eyes
i've had notion you were pretty
keen about Brandy Booth he went on
annually.
She caught her breath tTherc was
an instnnt's hesitation on her part be-
foro she replied.
You have never been very smart
nt making love gucsses Leslie" she
said IT'S n tricl. you haven't ac-
quired."
lie laughed uncomfor,ably. Neat
stroke. that"
Following her into the corridor out.
side the offices, he pushed tho eieva-
tor-beil for her.
II meant what ] said. Sara" no rc.
marked somewhat doggedly 'You
ought to get married Chal didn't
leave much for you to cherish There's
no reason why YOU should go on like
this, living alone ana all that sort OF
thing. You're young and beautiful
and
''oh, thank you, Leslie. she cried
out sharply
You see, It's going to be this way:
lefty VIII probably marry Booth
That's on dit, take It. You're depend
ing on her for companionship. We'll.
on" IL puie you coiu atter she's mar
ried She will"
She interrupted him percmptor,ly.
" Challis did nothing else for me,
Leslie. he at least gave mo you 10
cherish. Once more good-by."
The elevator stopped for her. He
strolled back TO his Office with pug
zled frown on his face. She certainly
was inexplicablc!
The angry red faded from her cheeks
as she sped homeward In the automo-
bile. Her thoughts were no longer
of Leslie, but OF another, Sho
sighed and closed her eyes. and her
cheeks were pale.
Workmen from picture dealer's
establishment were engaged In hanging
n full-lcngth portrait in the long liv-
ing-ro OF her apartment when she
reached home. She had sent TO the
country for BOOTHS picture OF Hetty,
and WAC having II hung in conspi-
cuous place For "a long time she stood
In tho middle Of the room. studying
the canvas. Hetty's Irish blue eyes
seemed to return the scrutiny. n ques-
tioninE look In their painted depths
The warm. half smiling lips appeared
to be on the point OF putting into words
the eager question that lay In her
wondering eyes.
Passing the open library door. Sara
paused for an instant TO peer within.
Then she went on down the hall To her
own sitting-roon. The canary was
singing gliby in his cage by the win
dowsidc.
She threw aside her furs, and. with
out removing her hat. passed into the
bed chamber III the left Of the coy
little boudoir This was Hcttys room.
Her OWN was directly opposite. On
the girls dressing table. leaning
against the broad. low mirror. stood
tho unframed photograph of n man.
with a furtivc glance over her shout
der Sara crossed 10 tho table anu
took up the picture IN her Glovcd hand.
For IA long time she stood there gaz-
Ing Into the frank. Eoodlooking face
OF Brandon Booth. She brcathed fast
er; her hand shook. her eyes wete
strained as If by an Inward suggestion
OF pain.
She shook her head slowly. as II IN
final Remuneration OF a secret hope or
the banishmcnt of an unwelcome de-
sire, and rcsolutely replaced the pho
tograph Her lips were almost white
as she turned away and rc-entered the
room beyond.
lie belongs to herr she said. un-
consciously speaking aloud; "and no
is like all men. She must not be I'M
happy"
Presently ellie entered the library.
She had exchanged her tailor-suit for
Il dainty house gown. Hctty was still
seated IN the Dig IOunRlHS CnalT, De-
fore tho snapping fire. apparently not
having moved since she looked in on
passing quarter OF an hour before
one Of the girls legs was curled up
under her, the other swung loose; an
elbow rested on the arm of tho chair.
and her cheek was in her hand
Coming softly up from behind, Sara
leaned over the back OF the chair and
put her hands under her friends ohm,
tenderly, lovingly. IIetty started and
shivcred.
"Oh Sara, how cold your hands arcl"
she grasped them in her own and
fondly stroked them, as IL to restore
warmth to the long, slim fingers which
gave the lilo to Mrs. Coburn'e declara-
tons.
"Tve been thinking all morning Of
what you and Brandon proposed to me
last night, dear" said Sara, looking
straight over the girls head. the dark,
languorous. mysterious glow filling
her eyes. 1T is good of you both TO
want me, but"
Now don't say But Sara" cried
Hetty. I'VE mean It, and you must
let us have our way"
1T would he splendid to be near you
all the time dear; it would be Won
dcrful to live with you ms you so gem
erously propose but cannot do 1t.
must decline"
and may ask why you decline TO
live with me?" demanded IIetty re-
sentfully.
/ because love you so dearly" said
sara
| The IInd.