The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1915-08-07
CHAPTER XII.

decorations of the studio had devOlved
on the untutored taste Of Alfred Small.
lish. Poor Alfred! Flodie, arriving
early, spent nearly an hour recon.
structing his decorative scheme, pat
ting and pulling it into something
more careless, and more agreeable to
her own sense Of beauty.
For the occasion Mr.. Smallish had
also decorated himself. In his hired
evening suit he looked if possible, a
bit more pathetic than usual.
Flodie had arrayed herself for the
evening with simplicity and artful
grace She wore white MULE, which,
happily escaping the schoolgirl touch,
daringly showed her neck to admirable
advantage. F1odie's hair disclosed,
perhaps, more Of her attentive care.
She had caught that charm of care
less luxuriance for which clever wom-
en- strive. Hall Bonistelle's first glance
told her that she had succeeded. She
answered his explanatory compli-
ments with a shrug.
you wait!" he announced, shaking
his finger at her, "just as soon as I
have it out with those three women
I'm coming after you! Remember
that I've got to get rid of them some
way, Lord knows how, but I'll do it!
And then, F1odie Fisher, it'll be your
turn! Mark my words! | intend to
marry you up before midnight"
"You WON'T" she exclaimed and
slammed the door in his face. When
she came out, few minutes later, she
found him in the studio, frowning.
"Confound it," he said, ''I'm all up
a tree without my watch! I've got to
keep track of the time tonight, though;
It's important l want to know how
long I've got"
There's the clock" said Flodie,
cant you look at that occasionally"
II wonder how near right it ISL" he
asked. tits been losing time lately.
hasn't it,"
Shall ring up Central and ask"
"Will you, please? Thanks!" Hall
walked to the tall grandfather's clock
in the corner and opened the door,
while Flodie went into the Office.
After a moment, she called out,
''Ten twenty-five, Mr.. Bonistelle!'
Lord, it is awfully slow, isn't it!
All right" Hall put the minute hand
a half-hour ahead and shut the door.
Then he went up to Flodie impulsive-
ly. "F1o, for Gods sake, say yes. That
will settle everything. Won't you,
F1odie, dear?"
She answered with sarcasm Part
ner wanted for a well-established bust
ness Must have four millions capt.
tai. Answer immediately No, I
won't! There!"
Hail. thus discounted, tried new
line. "You haven't asked to see the
ring yeti" he said, smiling.
mo, and / don't want tot" Flodie
was cool, very.
He took a box from his pocket,
opened the lid and set it down tempt
ingly in front of her. F1odie could not
resist one look at the ruby, then re-
turned it to him without word.
"See if it fits, Flo!" he said, coax
ingly.
81 can't tell" she said; "Rosamund's |
hands are ratLar-well, they're not ex-
actly small, are they?"
You'll be wearing this ring before
midnight, Miss Fisher!" He put it |
back into its case, adding, I'm going |
to use an old ring of my mothers for
the wedding. It'll come pretty soon
after the other, though. 1t won't be
long engagement"
he ho al ~ In
the hall outside Alfred Smallish sprang
ito the door of the office and opened 1t
tremendously.
Lord, there's the specter at the
feast!" said Hall under his breath.
1t was Jonas Hassingbury, dressed
in long black frock coat, not unlike
an undertaken, with his black gloves
and string tie His long face kept up
the Illusion; it was dark and solemn,
BETTING serious occasion. He bowed
low to Flodie and held out thin hand
to his host.
HaVs reception of him was polite
without being over-cordial The two
cousins did not often meet; they had
little in common, and they disliked
each other thoroughly
well, Jonas, been having a good
time in New York;"
ooh, well, $685." His eyes twinkled.
Not SO good as l expect to have a
little later, though" He winked elab-
orately at F1odie.
"Oh, / see. Meaning that money,
presume"
That's right! Can't blame me for
takin' an interest in it, can We? Four
millions don't walk into my pocket
every night, my boy!" He slapped Hall
on the shoulder.
Hall was angry. "You seem to be
pretty sure of i'll"
Jonas placidly shook his head in sor !
SOW at this exhibition of temper. Nov,
Hall, ye want to take this in Chris :
ian spirit, my boy. l can see it'll be {
Ill for the best. Remember that gold
s but drOss-" r
Hall whirled on him. Shut up, will s