The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1915-06-18

she would have smiled and changed
the subject Least of all, perhaps, if
the truth were told, did he know the
fond adorer who had voluntarily made
herself his slave. He saw and took
advantage Of her cleverness and zeal;
her attractive oddly refreshed him.
but to her deep seriousness and the
reserves of her temperament he was
totally blind
Flodie sat watching his long, slen-
der hands engaged gracefully with
fork and spoon But, much as she loved
to watch him, her conscience made her
too uncomfortable. Reluctantly she
Withdrew her eager eyes.
Well" she sighed, NOW for bust
ness!'
She read aloud from the book, sAt
ten o'clock Mrs. Rena Royalton--'l
She looked up "And you won't be
half ready! I'll have to entertain
herzzand you know how hate that
Yomanl"
/ Can you name one woman, Flodie
Fisher, whom you do not hate 2"
No. can't They're all cats. Cats
and rats and hens and snakes and
parrots! But that's no reason for
keeping them waiting" F'lodie ran
her finger down the page. Lets see
ten-thirty Miss Dallys. Oh, no, ! for.
got! You took her yesterday"
"Carolyn's certain a fine girl" Hall
murmured dreamily, lighting ciga-
rette and watching his assistant
amusedly.
Carolyn" Flodie fairly spit it out
"Since how long?"
Ever since neglected to pay my
dinner call on her, Flodie. had to
do something to soothe her rlf1ied
feelings so l began to call her Caro-
lyn. What's the inevitable result?
She's invited me for next Wednesday
again. People always invite you again
If you are rude enough Flodie. ;"
You must have been pretty rude
to Mrs. Royalton, then, by the way
she runs after you! Why, she, fairly
clucks like heni"
"Oh, Mrs. Royalton! All, there
have another method! She's one OF
those women you can't possibly in
| suit" Hall smiled with superiority.
''Rena's got to the age, you know,
when she prefers to be fiattered."
Don't all women like it," Flodie
demanded
| mo! You're too young, Flodie. You
want compliments" Hall was trium-
plant. 1T depends upon how you do
it, you know, Rena wants it laid on
thick. A woman doesn't demand
subtlety, Flodie, after she gets to the
| thirty-five"
"Thirty-five! Mrs. Royalton is thirty
eight, If she's day."
by the way, how old are you, Flo
die? I forget
me? Why, I'm only twenty-one!"
| Hall laughed "Plus five, makes
twenty-six."
I'm mott" she protested-b it was
no use. He laughed at her till she
flushed red and sought refuge in a
bundle of bills. There's Please re-
nit from the Philosophy company.
she announced, looking up. What
shall dog"
"Oh, answer Necessity forbids!'''
Hall shrugged his shoulders.
why, Mr.. Bonistelle, don't you real
ize that we've simply got to pay that
bill pretty soon. or they won't send
/ us any more stuff? Oh, it's all very
| well for you to sit there in red silk
| dressing gown and laugh and make
aristocratic jokes! But have to take
all the kicks. and stand on the col
! lectors!"
Hall applauded gracefully. Say
Flodie, you've got your war boots on
today. haven't you! What's the par
ticular matter?"
1.-THE matter!" Flodie looked down
i on him as from mountain Where's
the rent coming from, I'd like to
| know? Out of your cigarette smoke?
i Yes, you can smile and twist that silly
mustache all you want, but that won't
! pay for hypo! Do you imagine we
4 can run this business on epigrams and
4 funny gestures? No, sir! Mr. Boni.
| STEELE. '-Flodie shook his shoulder
you've simply got to wake up and
make whole load Of money, quickH'
He rose and yawned artistically.
Lord, know it! Think of a Boni-
STEELE having to work for his living!
Isn't that grotesque? Why. for all |
know, may be millionaire this very
minute Fancy. Flodiea millionaire!P
"Say"-Flodie grew serious when
are they ever going to find out about
that old will, anyway"
Il wish to heaven knew! II John
B. Bonistelle had been anyone else's
uncle. he would have fled his win
with his attorneys, and his nephew
would be driving sixty-horsepower
car by this time But being mine, OF
course he has to hide the confounded
document where it won't be found till
the estate is settled. I've been on pins
and needles ever since he died"