Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1915-10-05

she? She'll cheat, and lie and cut her
best friends throat behind her back
by jove, you're the coldest-blooded set
of female vampires ever saw in my
life! It's revelation to mel So
that's all you wanted, Ell? That's why
you all hung fire this morning. and got
me into this confounded mess-oh, YOU
wanted time! Yes, time to investi-
gate my finances, of course-and then,
when you do get wind of this devilish
old legacy, then you're all after me on
the gallop, like pack of Siberian
wolves-falling over one another to
see who can get to the telephone firsti
Well, thank God 1 found it out in time!
Thank God I'm free of all three of you,
you lying, back-biting, mercenary, two
faced hypocrites! Well, it's all over,
now. I advise you to train your guns
on Cousin Jonas!"
There was a disagreeable pause.
When the pot calls the kettle black it
is uncomfortable for both. Then the
three women, their rage and disap-
pointment still unappeased, swept out
of the studio and left him alone. Rosa
mund went out, surly and lowering,
Carolyn sarcastic to the last, with a
bitter smile upon her lips, Mrs. Royal.
ton abjectly weeping, hurting her faint
reproaches with a lessening might.
She turned at the door to pull the
ruby ring from her hand, and, with all
of Flodies abandon, if with less of
Flodies justification, tossed it at him.
He drew long breath, and dropped
into a chair. 1t had been a very bad
five minutes; it was relief to have it
over. What next? The music still
continued, but it would soon be time
for his guests to be leaving. He knew
he ought to go out into the other
rooms and play the host-but he could
not 1t was impossible for him to see
again the three ladies who must Just
now be making their scornful exit. AS
soon as they were out of the way, he
would do his best with the others.
He knelt down on the floor and be-
gan to search for the ring.
came Flodie's gentle voice at the door
He jumped up and faced her. yes
Flodie."
She came in timidly and gave a
glance at the clock. yes, it's all over;
the moneys gone!" he said calmly
Have they left yet?"
She nodded, smiling. They're all
making up to Jonas with all their
might. By the way they talked. you
must have had a pretty lively time
with them" Flodie sat down demurely
81 should say so, Flodie! Three
ladies have told me tonight rather ex
plicitly that I'm a cad. What d'you
think?"
You're not!" she cried. Flodie sat
up Indignantly, her eyes blazing.
He gave her a quick surprised look
and his face lighted with hope. II
was the first time their eyes had met
in perfect accord. 1t was the first real
thrill.
Then" he hardly dared to say it
have you forgiven me, Flo?"
nave you forgiven me
You! For what?" 1t was evident
that she need not fear him.
Flodie cast down her eyes a mo
ment, then raised them boldly. Fol
pretending"
Pretending what?"
Pretending that l didn't care" Flo
die, suddenly embarrassed, jumped VI
and walked away from him. Hall made
a leap for her. He caught her in his
arms.
"Oh, do you care, Flodie? Do you
Do you? Even after all this?"
! He kissed her ardently full on the
lips.
Flodie extricated herself from his
grasp. Isn't it-of course it's very
nice, Habits awfully nice-but ISM
it-just a little-well, premature?'
She brought it out timidly, but hel
face showed her rapture.
He dropped his arms and stood, sud
denly disconnected, then laughed nerv
ously. why, surely you ought to be
lieve me now, Flodiei I'm right bach
to where l was this morning-no for
tune, no prospects-just working fol
my living, and quite head over heels
in debt"
Flodie giggled blissfully, DO yol
want your eggs boiled two minutes
this morning, Mr.. Bonistelle, oil
three?"
He smiled and shook his head
Yes, it's all over-I1l have no mil
lions to offer you, after all, Flodie. In
just a poor devil of a photographer
Don't you believe me now?" he repeat
ed anXiously.
Flodie was trembling. "Believ,
what, Hall?" she hung her head. "Yol
haven't said it, yeti"
For a moment he stood looking a
her, puzzled, then a broad grin spread
over his face. "Ohl" he cried. wei
I guess! Is that it," Jubilant, now
he approached her with playful noel
romantic airs, knelt and put his arm:
around her. VIII you marry me
Flodie?"
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