The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1915-09-17
CHAPTER iII-Continued.

"Mercy, Hall! Not here! Not now!
Not yeti" She took few steps from
him, and turned to look him over,
even as he had looked at her. She
looked as a woman looks at hat in
milliner's, then shook her head, as If
she were not sure 1t was becoming.
mo, Hall, I'm afraid must have lit
tie time. l can't decide just now"
Renal"
mo, Hall. You must be patient,
dear. Give me a week"
See here!" Hall spoke deliberately.
Twill you let me know tonight? You're
coming to my party here. tonight,
aren't your"
why. yes, was"
"Will you give me your answer
them"
She hung fire for a moment. Hall
gave a gesture of agony-it was his
supreme effort and had touch of
genius. Mrs. Royalton, seeing, capt.
ulated. well. then, all right, to-
night"
Hall tried again for an embrace
even while repulsing him she let him
taste her lips, then she feebly pushed
him away. "Oh, Hall. you mustn't!
Not yet, anyway-you know / haven't
accepted you, yet. oh, / can't decide.
I've got to think 1t all over calmly"
Lord, not calmly, Renal" he ex-
claimed. He gazed sadly at his shoes
"The suspense will be terrible!" he
said, and with elaborate emphasis,
my darling!"
"Oh, Faint heart ne'er won fair
LADY," Mrs. Royalton seemed fully
two inches taller than when she had
come IN. Now, l must go, Hall. Good
by!" She held out her hand, an en-
press to a slave. He kissed it with
fervor. And with that she smiled, and
walked out.
For ten minutes F1odie had stood
stealthily by the door, trying to listen.
She had barely time to spring back to
her desk.
"Good-by, Miss Fisher!" Mrs. Royal
ton paused condescendingly. 81 think
II you used almond cream for your
face 1t might do II a great deal Of
good. Try one of those wrinkle-bands,
why don't you! They're really very
efficacieus." She swished into the
dressing room to put on her veil.
Flodie waited a moment in scornful
silence. then burst into the studio to
find Hall gazing In a stupor out the
window, hands in pockets, a scowl on
his face. What did she say?" she
whispered. Hall didn't hear What
did she say, Mr.. Bonistelle!" Flodie
was perishing of suspense.
Hall walked to the couch and
dropped down, shaking his head.
she wanted time. Time Confound
1.-THE only thing l haven't got!
What d'you think Of that feel as IL
I'd done a weeks washing! I'm all
used up Say, Flodie, it takes lots
OF energy to propose, did you know
that?"
Flodie regarded him wistfully. 81
should think 1t would-especially
when you don't mean it,"
"Oh, mean it all right. I'll stand
for it. Four millions! Lord, why
wouldn't l mean It? Id mean any
thing!"
Il mean when you don't really love
her, Mr.. Bonistelle. / don't see how
you could do it. I could never do
anything like that!"
We'll, you ought to be glad ysu
don't have to Flodie. Unfortunately,
do. Why, she'll make a good wife,
won't she? don't say love her, ex-
actly; but, well, I've always liked
Rena Royalton. She's a good fellow.
She's got the looks. and the style, and
the family connections and everything.
wouldn't be bit ashamed OF her as
Mrs. Bonistelle. What's the matter
with you, Flodie? You look so queer.
ril or anything"
"oh. I'm all right!- F1odie smiled
bitterly. "Only-only-"
well, I'll be hanged Why. any
body would think II was you who were
b a hole, not me. Lord, / thought you
cared enough for me to help me out!"
She moved instinctively toward
bin; instinctively she withdrew. "Oh,
] do. really / do, Mr.. Bonistelle! How
Tan help you? Tell me-"
gwell. what am going to do II Mrs.
Royalton refuses me. By jovel Just
think OF its being in that woman's
power to cost me four and a half mil
Hons It's outrageousls
Don't you let her, Mr.. Bonistellel"
F1odie broke out eagerly. "Oh. 1t isn't
right. Surely there's some other way
"a better way than that, Mr.. Boni-
stellel"
"A better way7 What d'you mean?"
Hall looked at her. puzzled.
Flodie screwed up her courage. and
reached gently for his hand. But, no,
he didn't quite dare take IL Her