The Spectator., 1915-12-31
CHAPTER xi-Continued.


 
 Halls 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;"
 "Oh, we'll, so-so." His eyes twinkled. "Not so good as l expect to have little later though" He winked elab- orately at Flodie.
 "Oh, I see Meaning that money, I presume"
 That's right, Can't blame me for takin' an interest in it, can ye? Four millions don't walk into my pocket every night, my boy!" He slapped Hall cordially on the shoulder.
 Hall was angry. You seem to be pretty sure of it!"
 Jonas placidly shook his head in sor- SOW at this exhibition of temper. Now, Hall, ye want to take this in Chris tian spirit, my boy. I can see it'll be all for the best. Remember that gold IS put QTOSS-
 Hall whirled on him. Shut up, will you? By iove. if you weren't in my own house, I'd kick you downstairs" And with that, he flung impetuously out of the room.
 Jonas sour glance followed him. "Peevish, ain't he? How be ye gettin' along?" he asked anXiously, in an un- dertone, of F1odie. Anything hap pened?"
 Well, I should say!" said Flodie. ''You ought to have seen the show. But we're not out of the woods, yet Still, I think that if I have time and luck, I can put it through"
 "Ye can? By whillikens, that's fine! Good for you! Wall we ought to know pretty soon now" He looked up at the clock "Only, let's see-an hour and thirty" He stopped, staring at the clock, then, with a puzzled face drew his own big watch from his pocket, and compared it with the clock "Say!" He turned eagerly to Flodie.
 ''Hush!" cried Flodle, and laid her finger on her lip.
 Jonas expression grew crafty. Then he grinned. "Oh, see! Got little scheme fixed up, eh?" He walked to the couch and sat down. beckoning her. Say, jest set down, won't ye and let me know how things stand" Flodie demurely took a seat beside him.
 Then they ain't no danger of any O them three women gittin him, Is they"
 Why" said Flodie, mot if we can manage to keep them away from him. It isn't so easy as it looks. Those women are getting desperate, now, and you've got to help me fool them" Me? How? What can I do?"
 Why If one of them gets him, you've got to just jump in, and break it up in a hurry. Don't let her get a word in edgewise, if you can help it. Fall on the floor. smash a window anything! It doesn't matter what they think"
 By jiminy, I'll do it, you bet!" cried Jonas, One thing l do know: How to handle women!"
 There's millions in it, MT. Hassing- bury!"
 And I'm the feller what's goin' to get 'em!" He seized Flodie's hand be- fore she could protest. and shook it energetically. Say, miss, you're a little wonder! Think of your doin' all that just on my account-you're a friend worth havin, dyou know it?"
 ''It was nice of me, wasn't it?" Flo die replied modestly. turning away to bite her lip.
 Jonas hitched his chair closer "Why. I been a-thinkin' of 1t over to day. and l got a proposition I've de cided to make to ye If git this here money. and it looks now like should what dye say to we two hitchin uI together?"
 Flodie jumped up suddenly. Now hold on. missl" Jonas exclaimed, anc stretched forth his long arm in OK postulatioI. You hear me out fust I've kind Q took notion to ye. ant