The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1915-07-06
CHAPTER IlI-Continued.

Mercy. Hall! Not here! Not now!
Not yeti" She took few steps from
him, and turned to look him over,
even as he had looked at her. She
looked as woman looks at hat III a
rmilliners, then shook her head, as If
she were not sure 1t was becoming.
r'No, Hall, I'm afraid l must have lit
tie time / can't decide just now"
Renal"
mo, Hall. You must be patient,
dear. Give me 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"
"Win you give me your answer
fhen?"
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, capt.
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
him away. ooh, Hall, you mustn't!
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 terrible!" 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 it with
fervor. And with that she smiled, and
walked out
For ten minutes Flodie 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 it a great deal of
good. Try one of those wrinkle-bands,
why don't you! They're really very
efiicacious." She swished into the
dressing room to put on her VEIL
Flodie waited a moment in scornful
silence, then burst into the studio to
lind Hall gazing in a stupor out the
window, hands in pockets, a scowl on
his face. What did she say?" she
whispered. Hall didn't hear. What
did she say, Mr.. Donistelle!" F1odie
was perishing of suspense
Hall walked to the couch and
dropped down, shaking his head
She wanted time. Time! Confound
1.-THE only thing I haven't got!
What d'you think OF that! feel as If
I'd done weeks washing! I'm all
used up! Say. Flodie. 1t takes lots
of energy to propose, did you know
that?"
Flodie regarded him wistfully a'I
should think it would-especially
when you don't mean it."
ooh, l mean it all right. I'll stand
for it. Four millions! Lord, why
wouldn't l mean it? I'd mean any,
thingl"
81 mean when you don't really love
her, Mr.. Bonisteile. 1 don't see how
you could do it. I could never do
anything like that"
We'll, you ought to be glad you
don't have to Flodie. Unfortunately,
do. Why, she'll make a good wife,
won't she? l don't say love her, ex-
actly; but, we'll, 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 bit ashamed of her as
Mrs. Bonistelle. What's the matter
with you, Flodie? You look SO queer.
III or anything
ooh, I'm all -ight!" F1odie smiled
bitterly. 'Only-only-"
well, I'll be hanged Why, any.
body would think it was you who were
in hole, not me- Lord, thought you
cared enough for me to help me out! .
She moved instinctively toward
him; instinctively she withdrew. ooh,
/ Go, really l do, Mr.. Bonistelle! How
can help you? Tell mel"
well, what am l going to do if Mrs
Royalton refuses me. By jove! 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.. Bonistelle!'
Flodie broke out eagerly. "Oh, it isn't
right. Surely there's some other way
stelle!'
"a better way? What dyou mean?
Hall looked at her, puzzled
F1odie screwed up her courage, and
reached gently for his hand. But, no
she didn't quite dare take It. Her