The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1915-08-12
CHAPTER III-continued.

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 a
milliner's, then shook her head, as IL
she we're not sure II was becoming.
mo. Hall, I'm afraid I must have lit
tie time. can't decide Just now"
Renal"
''No. Hall. You must be patient.
dear. Give me a week"
See here!" Hall spoke deliberately
@'Will 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. capit-
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
MIN AWAY OHs gOu iuuSln ~
Not yet, anyway-you know l haven't
accepted you. yet. Oh can't decide.
I've got to think it all over calmly"
Lord, not calmly, Renal" he ex-
claimed. He gazed sadly at his shoes.
"The suspense will be terriblel" 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. must go. Hall. Good
by" She held out her hand, an en-
press to a slave. He kissed II 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
If you used almond cream for your
face it might do 1t great deal OF
good. Try one of those wrinkle-bands,
why don't youl They're really very
OhNaSlOuos OuG bNlS lulO lut
dressing room to put on her veil.
Flodie waited moment in scornful
silence, then burst into the studio to
find Hall gazing in stupor out the
window, hands in pockets, 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. Timel Confound
it-the only thing l haven't got!
What d'you think of that feel as II
I'd done a weeks washing! I'm all
used up Say. Flodie, 1t takes lots
of energy to propose. did you know
that?"
Flodie regarded him wistfully. 81
should think it would-especially
when you don't mean it,"
"Oh. mean 1t all right. I'll stand
for 1t. Four millions! Lord, why
wouldn't ! mean it? Id mean any
thing!"
Il mean when you don't really love
her, Mr. Bonistelle. l don't see how
you could do 1t. ! could never do
anything like that!"
well. you ought to be glad you
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 a bit ashamed of her as
Mrs. Bonistelle. What's the matter
with you. Flodie? You look so queerl
Ill or anything"
"Oh. I'm all right" Flodie smiled
bitterly "Only-only-"
"Well. Ill be hangedl Why, any.
body would think Il was you who we're
in hole, not me. Lord, ] thought you
cared enough for me to help me ou
She moved instinctively toward
him; instinctively she withdrew. "Oh
l do, really l do. Mr.. Bonistelle! How
can / help you? Tell mel"
well. what am going to do II Mrs
Royalton refuses me. By joyel Just
think OF its being in that woman's
power to cost me four and half mil
lions! It's outrageous"
Don't you let her, Mr.. Bonlstellel' p
Flodie broke out eagerly. "Oh. 1t isn't
right. Surely there's some other way
"a better way than that. Mr.. Boni
stelle!"
"A better way? What d'you mean?'
Hall looked at her, puzzled.
Flodie screwed up her courage. and
reached gently for his hand Rut. no
ahs didn't quite dare take II. Her