Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1915-10-21

she? She'll cheat, and lie and cut her
best friends throat behind her back
by joye, you're the coIdest-blooded set
Of female vampires ever saw in my
life! It's a revelation to me! So
that's all you wanted, Ell? That's why
you all hung fire this morning, and got
me into this COMPOUNDED mess-oh, you
wanted time! Yes, time to inYesti-
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 a pack of Siberian
wolves-falling over one another to
see who can get to the telephone first!
Well thank God 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. advise you to train your guns
on Cousin Jonas!"
There was disagreeabIe 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 Iessening might
She turned at the door to pull the
ruby ring from her hand, and, with all
of Flodie's abandon, If with less Of
Flodie's justification, tossed 1t at him.
He drew long breath, and dropped
into a chair. 1t had been 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 scornfuI 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.
Are you in here, Mr.. Bonistelle?"
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
r7oioh+ DIV +bo vryor, +J,oxy +oIlyod VOL,
must have had a pretty lively time
with them" FIodie sat down demurely.
Il should say So Flodie! Three
ladies have told me tonight rather ex-
plicitly that I'm cad. What d'you
think?"
You're not!" she cried. Flodie sat
up Indignantly, her eyes blazing.
He gave her quick surprised look,
and his face lighted with hope. It
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, FIo?"
Have 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. For
pretending"
Pretending what?"
Pretending that l didn't care" Flo
die, suddenly embarrassed, jumped up
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 isn't
it-just a littIe-wel, premature?"
She brought it out timidIy, but her
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, Flodie! I'm right back
to where I was this morning-no for
tune, no prospects-just working for
my living, and quite head over heels
in debt"
Flodie giggled blissfully, do you
want your eggs boiled two minutes,
this morning, Mr.. Bonistelle. or
three?"
He smiled and shook his head.
Yes, it's all over-Tll have no mil
lions to offer you, after all, Flodie I'm
just a poor devil of a photographer
Don't you believe me now?" he repeat
ed anxiously.
Flodie was trembling. Believe
what, Hall?" she hung her head. You
haven't said it, yeti"
For a moment he stood looking at
her, puzzled, then broad grin spread
over his face. "Oh!" he cried. well
I guess! Is that it," Jubilant, now,
he approached her with playful noel
romantic airs, knelt and put his arms
around her. 'Wtl you marry me,