The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1915-01-14
CHAPTER xx.-contInuea.

"Oh, | see. or course. Um-umi BY
the way. | think the colonel is a cork
or. One Of the most amiable thorough
breds I've ever come across. Ripping,
He's never said anything to me about
your antipathy toward him, but | can
Q with half an eye that he is terribly
depressed about IL. Can't you get to-
Gether some way or"
Really. Mr.. Wrandall. you are Ell
~eouraging' your imagination to a point
where words ultimately must fail you,
she said very positively. Booth could
hardly repress a chuckle.
Its not imagination on my part"
said Leslie with conviction, failing ut
terly to recognize the obvious. IL sup
pose you know that he IL coming over
10 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
lNintessence of wit! | couldn't take it
az he does. Expectations and all that
sort of thing, you know, going up like
o. hot air balloon and bursting in plain
View. But he never ~squeaked. Laughed
~ off. A British attribute, l dare say.
suppose you know hat he Is obliged
% sell his estate In Ireland?"
Hetty started. She could not con-
zeal the look OF shame hat leaped in
% her eyes.
I'll did not know" she murmured.
"Must be quite a shock to you. SIT
Gown. 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"
81 merely suggested 1t, old chap,
Fearing you might have overlooked the
possibilities. Yes. Miss Castleton, he
teft us in London to go up to Belfast
On this dismal business" There WAS
something in the back of his mind that
he vas trying to get at in a tactful
manner. by the way. is this property
antailed?"
Il know nothing at all about II. Mr..
Wrandall," said she, with a pleading
glance at her lover. as il to inquire
what stand she should take In this dis
dressing situation.
IF 1t Is entailed he can't sell It."
said Booth quietly.
That's true" said Leslie, some
what obviously. Then, with a mag.
Manlmity that covered a multitude OF
doubts he added: "Of course. | am
only interested In seeing that you are
properly protected, Miss Castleton.
I've nc doubt you hold an interest in
Che estates"
Il can't very vel, discuss a thing |
Know absolutely nothing about" she
said succinctly.
Most of 1t Is In building lots and
factories In Belfast. of course. 1t was
more in the nature of a question than
declaration. "Thc old family castle
isn't very much of an asset, | take It..
II fancy you can trust Colonel Cas-
a3eton 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
eonvinced OF that. Strange, however,
chat | haven't heard a word from him
since he left us In London. I've been
expecting q cablegram from him every
Aay for nearly a fortnight. letting me
know when TO expect him."
Are you going 10 California this
winter for the fiying?" asked Hetty.
Sara entered at hat j~uncture, and
Ahey all sat down to listen for half an
hour to Leslie's harangue on the way
the California meet was being mis-
managed. at the end of which he de-
parted.
He took Booth away with him, much
10 that young mans disgust.
do you know. Brandy. old fellow"
Bald he as they walked down Fifth ave.
nue. in the gathering dusk of the early
bsinter evening. lever since I've begun
~ suspect that damned old humbug OF
n father OF hers. I've been congratu-
batting myself that there isn't the re-
motest chance of his ever becoming
I@y father-in-law. And. by George,
you'll never know how near l was to
peaping bliadly into the brambles.
uKhat q close call l had!"
Booths sarcastic smile was hidden
~ tho dusk He made no p~retense of
openly resenting the meanness of
bpirit that moved Leslie to these cad
aish remarks. he merely announced
N a dry. eating voice:
II think Miss CAstleton Ia to be con-
graduated thAa hsr injury is no greater
Khan nature mads It In the beginning"
WHAT do yo2 nean by nature p"
Mature gave hsr a father. didn't
Hf
SObviously."
~zVell. why adj insult to injuryi"
by love! Oh. I say. old mani"
They parted at the next corner. As
booth started to cross over to the
paaxa, Leslie called out after him:
- say. Brandy. tust a second. please.
ASe goa going y marry Miss Castle
pAr
|. = aBL"
~rhen, 1 rstrsce the scurvy things |
hid back there. Iasked her TO marry
he three times and she refused me
hree ttmes. what ! said about the
kramblcs ~as eaten. I'd ask her again
I thought snsds have me. There you
-. psa yslIsu. ~ . rotten go ~
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