Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1915-09-16

Jul WOuIQ AguL lot han now 10 the
death. Oh, F1odie could read their
faces! Hadn't each one Of them, even
while demanding the others loyalty,
been sleekly planning 10 betray her
own pledged word TO gain the coveted
money? What chance had poor neg
lected F1odie, who hadn't even been
asked? She dried her eyes and locked
up at the clock. It was three-ffteen.
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, it 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.
ooh, Mr.. Bonistellet1 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 Rosanund Gale to join, I
think"
'fWeli, I'm glad 1t was no worse than
that" He looked at his watch. Lord,
must be off. I've got to hook this
timepiece and pay an installment on
the ring I don't care much for rings
on a woman's hand, especially if it's
pretty. Now yours, FIDDLE, is perfect"
She tried to hide her hands, but he
took them, and held them up and
looked critically FIodie closed her
eyes. that the tears might not come
out.
Say, F1o-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, FTo?"
ooh, no, love 1t, Mr.. Bonisteuei"
Say, Flo, remember that first time
you ever came in here? D'you know
| liked you the moment I set eyes on
you"
F1odie cast down her head. $50 did
I you, she said
1T always makes me smile, just to
look at you, somehow. You're such a
queer little tyke. Always happy, aren't
you, Flo?"
She looked up bravely. ooh, yes!"
The telephone bell rang. Hall
snatched up the receiver savagely.
Hello! Who is this? !. Oh, yes!
! OF course Oh! You will? BY jove,
that's great! Why. yes, I'm de-
lighted But I am, Rosamund, why
why. I'm the happiest man in the
world! You've no idea what a relief
it is o.. Sure! That's just what 1 was
going to suggest. Yes, We'll do it to-
night. Fine! All right. Wen talk it
over when you come, Good-by, dear!"
He hung up the instrument slowly.
"Rosamund's accepted me. F1odie, I'll
be millionaire by tonight What d'you
: think. she's promised to marry me i'm
mediately; Wen have it over this eve
ming"
He arose thoughtfully. well, 1
guess that's settled, then. Rosamund's
! it,"
Flodie, unable to control herself, had
risen 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," FTodie
/ shook her head decidedly. Il shall go
over to Deerfeld. You know he's
wanted me to come for months"
He turned to her suddenly. "D-n
it, Flo, I don't want you to go to Deer
field! He's a beast! can't bear to
think of his ordering you round"
ooh, that doesn't matter, now. The
only thins I'm afraid of. Mr.. Bonistelle
well, never mind"
"What?"
"Oh. we'll, 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 affectionateIy Say, Flo
I 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.
"HeTo!" he shouted, and then again
more gently, ooh, hello! s. Oh, yes
the phone was busy; someone just
rang me up =. too bad. Oh, nothing
important What is it? Yes?
What, not really? Why, I'm
tickled to death. Carolyn, Of course
! but-welI, why-why, don't you see
it's so sudden, you know, and-welI, J
hadn't expected to hear from you SC
soon. You see I had no idea-what is
it? i. Oh, don't say that, please!
I'm perfectly deighted-it takes my
breath away, that's all !. Why, yes
No. only was Just going out. Really
I have got to hurry +. Well, all right
then. Yes, good-by No, good-by!'
He hung up the receiver and whirleG