The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1915-10-14
CHAPTER x-Contlnued.

He went up TO her. but she darted
away like a cat. "Oh, no Mr.. Boni.
stelle! Don'tl" she protested.
He stopped in amazement. "Why
not? What's the matter?"
"Oh, you've proposed to three wom-
en- today!" she lamented pitifully. She
sat down and looked at him with
haggard face.
We'll, what II ! did? They didn't
accept me. did they? Haven't a right
to ask somebody else, under the cir
cumstances-with so much at stake?
Why, they may all refuse me, even
now; I'm not at all certainl ! can't
risk a fortune on their whims, blow.
ing hot and blowing cold! D'you think
i intend to stand for this T-will-and-I.
won't business? Not much! I'm glad,
they did put me off. now. It's the
luckiest thing In the world! II gives
me a good excuse to take you. Why.
l was so ratified, Flodie, 1t never oc-
Cured to me could marry you"
Flodie rose: her hazel eyes snapped.
"Oh. didn't it? Well. then, Mr.. Boni-
stelle, evidently there are several
other things that didn't occur to youl
Do you think you can treat me this
way and expect me to stand for it?"
what way? Lord. haven't asked
you to marry me, Flo?" He stared at
her in surprise.
mo. you haven't asked me! No.
you've insulted me! All you've done
is to announce coolly that you have
decided to marry mel" Flodie,
aroused, fairly stormed now.
"Oh. pshaw-I thought you under
stood. Flo. OF course I'll ask you, II
you want the conventional, orthodox
proposal" He smiled patronizingly at
her whim, as at a pouting child, then
dropped gracefully upon one knee.
'Will you marry me. Flodie?"
There was new note in Flodie's
voice. mol" she cried harshly. Get
up, Mr.. Bonistellel I'm afraid you've
made a mistake. You've forgotten
who am, haven't your Why, I'm only
the girl with the funny facel' I'm Just
queer little tyke, who is always
happy! Ha! Hal Ha! Why don't
you laugh? l thought always made
you smile? Jlst jolly good pail
that's all l am! Didn't you say SO
yourself?" ~ i'
But. Flodie!" Hall approached her
placatingly, amazed at her outburst.
She pushed him away. mo, sir!
Not much! I'm not so anxious to be
lady OF leisure as all that, Mr.. Boni-
stellel What! Marry you, with all
the love left out? No. sir! should
say noti"
But. Flodie!" Hall could scarcely
believe his ears, "Confound It, what's
got into you? Why, hang 1t all. had
no idea you felt like that!" He stare>'
at her.
She made queer, whimsical face
at herself or Hall. who knows?-and
went on.
mo, I'm only little Flodie. the Egg
Boiler! And you're so used to me.
that when you do want to get married,
you propose to one. two, three women
before you give me a thought. l only
come In as last resort-Flodie, the
Forlorn Hope! Mr.. Bonistelle, do you
think I'm the sort OF girl to marry
like that?"
Flodie, transformed by this long
pent-up rage. was new and splendid
creature; her eyes shot sparks, the
color famed uron her cheeks.
Hall. dumfounded, stared at her,
speechless. II baby had suddenly
attacked him he could not have been
more amazed. He didn't know her in
this aspect; she took his breath away
like a strong wind. His impulse was
to defend himself. resist, but he was
overcome by her emotion. He struck
out any way-blindly. like a swimmer
In rapids; he tried to placate her.
but. Flodie-dearl know-but 1
want you'll"
"Oh. yes, know you want me-and
why? So that you can win four mil.
lions OF dollars. That's all you want.
You'll have to get married. SO you'd
better take mel make you taught
oh. it's as simple as daylight, is 1t?
Well. I'm not SO simple as I look.