The Dolores star., 1915-02-12


| guile. without . single trsacheroua
instinct
II can't wish you luck. Las" he
said slowly. You sss I'm-I'm In
love with her myself"
The dsvill" Lsslis sat bolt up
right and glarsd 1t him. Il might
have known! And-and 10 she In
love with your"
MY dear fellow. you reveal cor.
siderable lack Of tact In asking that
question"
What want to know 10 this" &.
claimed Wrandall. very pale but very
hot: rs she going 70 marry your
Booth smiled. "IIl BE- perfectly
frank with you. She says she won't -
Leslie gulped. 80 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 . Joyous. trium plant laugh broke
from his lips. "Oh. this 10 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. Il quite understand"
Then, since she's refused yoa. you
might wish me better luck"
That would mean giving up hops."
"Hops?" exclaimed Leslie quickly.
You don't mean TO say you'll annoy
her with your"
mo. ! shall not annoy her." replied
his friend. shaking his head.
We'll. should hope not" said
Leslie with . scowl. Turned you
down. Oh! Pom my soul" He ap-
pearsd to BE- rslishins 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 . queer. a.
most plying smile.
And you want me TO bs your best
mani" he said rsAecuvsly.
Leslie arose. His chest seemed to
swell . little; assuredly hs was breath.
ing much easier. He assumed IN
air Of compassion.
Il shan't insist, old fellow, II you
feel you'd rather not-sr- See what
I meant" II then occurred to him TO
utter . word or two Of kindly advice.
Y >shouldn't 90 on moping II were
you. Brandy. Pom ny soul. I shouldn't
Take Il like . man. I know It hurts.
but Pooh! WHAT'S the use agra,
waiting the pain b. butting against .
stone wallf"
His companion looked out over the
tree tops. his haaas In hts trousers
pockets. and Il must b confessed
that his manner was not that OF one
who 10 oppressed By despair.
Z think I'm taking II like . man.
La" As said. Il only hope you'll
taks II - nicely II she says nay to
you"
An uneasy look lsaped into Lsslis's
face. He seemed noticsably less cor.
pulent about the chest. He wondered
II Booth knew anything about his
initial venture. A question rose 10
his lips. but he thought quickly and
held II back. Instead. he glanced n
his watch.
4 must be on. See you tomorrow,
I hope"
so long" said Booth. stopping .,
the top Of the steps while his visitor
skipped down to the gate with u
nimbieness that suggested the forma
ton OF Q sudden resolve.
Leslie did not waste time In part
ing inanities he strobe OF briskly In
the direction OF home. but not withou,
eye ~ he disappeared beyond the
hedgerow at the end OF Booths gar
den. That gentleman was standins
where he had left him. and was fillins
his pipe once more
| The day was warm. and Leslie was
In = dripping Precipitation when h.
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 bsinl
driven over the lower road towart
southiook. taking good care 70 avoit
Booths place BY the matter Of . mil,
or more. lie was In . fever Of hop<
and eassrness. II was very plain u
him why she had refused Booth. III,
iron vas hot. He didn't intend Il
lose any time in striking.
And now Ne know Why he cam,
again 10 sara's In the middle OF I
blasting afternoon. instead Of waitinl
until the more seductive shades O.
night had fallen. when the n,oos %
serene In the seat Of the Mighty.
/
He didn1 have to wait long for HsS
y. Up 70 the Instant Of her appear
anes In the door. ~ had rsvslsd Il
the thought that the way was sov
PAVED with rossA Bat with her q
trance. b felt his coa0dsnos an
courage clipping. Perhaps that N,
explain the abrsptness with which b
psecssAsA 10 % about the business