Middletown transcript., 1915-09-04

but would fight for Hall now, to the
death. oh, Flodie could read their
faces! Hadn't each one of them, even
while demanding the others loyalty,
been sleekly planning to betray her
own pledged word to gain the coveted
money? What chance had poor neg
lected Flodie, who hadn't even been
asked? She dried her eyes and looked
up at the clock. 1t was three-fifteen.
AS she watched the dial. her face
changed subtly. Dropping her eyes she
began to think in real earnest. Her
time was short If she were to play
Cinderella at the party tonight, 1t be-
hooved her to find a fairy godmother
as soon as possible. Wouldn't that
have to be Hall-who else?
She dabbed her eyes in water, then
went to the door of the studio.
"Oh, Mr.. Bonistelle!" she called.
He came in looking anxious. Lord,
I've been worrying myself sick!" he
confessed. What in the world were
they up to, anyway"
"Oh, they seemed to be talking about
some club, or society, or something
that they were interested in. They
wanted Rosamund Gale to Join,
think"
well, I'm glad 1t was no worse than
that" He looked at his watch. Lord.
l must be off. I've got to hook this
timepiece and pay an installment on
the ring. don't care much for rings
on woman's hand, especially If it's
pretty. Now yours, F1odie, is perfect"
She tried to hide her hands, but he
took them, and held them up and
looked critically. Flodie closed her
eyes, that the tears might not come
out.
Say. Flo-I s'pose I'll miss you like
the devil, after I'm married." he went
on, dropping her hands. 1--WE got kind
Of used to you, you know. It'll seem
funny not to have you round to talk
to and laugh at. What's the matter?
You don't really mind my laughing at
you occasionally, do you. Flor"
"Oh. no, love It. Mr.. Bonistelle!"
Say. Flo, remember that first time
you ever came in here? D'you know
l liked you the moment set eyes on
you"
Flodie cast down her head. 80 did
l you" she said.
ut always makes me smile, just to
look at you, somehow. You're such
queer little tyke. Always happy, aren't
you. Flo?"
She looked up bravely. "Oh, yes!"
The telephone bell rang. Hall
snatched up the receiver savagely.
Hello! =. Who is this? q. . oh, yes!
OF course e. Oh! You will? BY jove,
that's great! . Why. yes, I'm de-
lighted E.. But am, Rosamund, why
why, I'm the happiest man in the
world! You've no idea what a relief
it is Sure! That's just what was
going to suggest. Yes. Wen do 1t to-
night. Fine! All right, we'll talk 1t
over when you come. Good-by, dear!"
He hung up the instrument slowly.
"Rosamund's accepted me. Flodie, I'll
be millionaire by tonight. What d'you
think, she's promised to marry me i'm
mediately; we'll have 1t over this eve
ming"
He arose thoughtfully "Wen,
guess that's settled, then. Rosamund's
it,"
Flodie, unable to control herself, had
riPn and was making for the stock
room, when he called her back. Say,
Flo, wait a minute" He went up to
her kindly. perhaps after I'm mar
ried we can arrange it somehow"
"Oh, no, Mr.. Bonistelle," Flodie
shook her head decidedly. 81 shall go
over to Deerfeld. You know he's
wanted me to come for months"
He turned to her suddenly. "D-n
it, Flo, don't want you to go to Deer.
field! He's beast! can't bear to
think of his ordering you round"
"Oh that doesn't matter now. The
only thing I'm afraid of. Mr.. Bonistelle
well, never mind"
"What?"
"Oh. well. nothing; only-Tm SO
afraid that when you get your money
you won't ever do anything more.
You're SO lazy you need to be poked
all the time. Do you think Mrs. Royal
ton. or Carolyn Dallys, or Rosamund
will care a snap for your art, or for
your talent. or anything but your
money!"
He went over to her and patted her
on the back affectionately. Say, Flo,
believe you do like me, after all
Don't you worry. little girl, I'll pull
through all right. You see, when Rosa
mund Is my wife" Again the tele-
phone bell rang.
''Hello!" he shouted and then again.
more gently, "Oh, hello! Oh, yes,
the phone was busy; someone just
rang me up too bad. Oh, nothing
important =. What is it2 Yes?
3. What, not really? . Why, I'm
tickled to death, Carolyn, of course
but-well, why-why, don't you see,
it's so sudden. you know. and-well, l
hadn't expected to hear from you so
soon. You see had no idea-what is
it? =. Oh, don't say that. please!
I'm perfectly delighted-it takes my
breath away. that's all -. Why, yes.
No only l was just going out. Really
| have got to hurry E. Well, all right,
then Yes, good-by No, good-byl"
He hung up the receiver and whirled
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