Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1915-09-23

Der that; and not just 10 help catch q
fortune!"
Hall watched her, fascinated, as she
strobe up and down. her eyes flashing,
her body 1.-THE and eager, accenting
her anger with free, unconscious ges-
lures. by Jove!" he exclaimed, Il
wouldn't know you! Why, I never
saw you like this before. What's hap
pened TO you? I didn't know It was
in you!"
She turned scornfuIly. ooh, I've got
lot in me that you'll never know,
Hall BonistelIe. I've got little pride,
/ for one thing"
He seized her hand; in spite Of her
self, she let it rest in his. while he
asked. soothingly: And haven't you a
little love, too. F1odie?"
She snatched her hand away. Love!
What do you know about Lowell" she
exclaimed scornfulIy, and walked
away from him. why. your janitOr
knows more about real love than you
dO-a thousand times!"
Still he stood and looked at her as
at a marvel. "FTodie Fisher" he de-
clared, you may believe II or not. but
I am in love with you, swear I am!
Why, you're magnificent! By Jove,
never saw such spirit! Why in the
world haven't you ever shown me
what you were, before? I'd have pro-
posed to you six months agoi"
Well, you're too late, now!" She
was trembling. Suddenly her strength
left her. She burst into tears.
He went up to her appealingly.
See here, Flo, 1 do want you don't
you understand that, little girl? And
I'm going to have you, too, no matter
what happens! On that money,
anyway. I wish it never had been left
! me! See here, Flo, let's begin all
| over again! come on out right now
and marry me, will you-wilI your"
mol" she sobbed.
Now there are two mos" a woman
| can say. One comes through clenched
teeth; it has a rising infection; the
other is an out-and-out bark and has
the downward fling. Few men know
what different things they mean. Hall
stood silent for a moment, watching
her. Then his tone changed. well, 1
| don't know that blame you," he said
finally. I've been all kinds of a cad
today, but guess this is the limit. Of
| course I've been blind. You're right
I've been so close to you I haven't
really seen you. And now that l do,
it's too late. Say, F1odie, did you
mean that? Is it really too late?
Won't you let me prove that 1 am in
earnest, at last?"
"Oh, how can believe you? You're
not honest! You've been lying all
day! You've lied to Mrs. RoyaIton,
| and you've lied to Miss Dallys and
Rosamund. And now you're lying to
! me! Mo-" she said, I'll never believe
you" Then she dropped her head on
her hands over the table. Go away"
she sobbed
Hall walked toward the door,
wretched and ashamed
isn't there any chance for me?" he
pleaded. Don't you love me enough
to forgive me. dear? Don't say no
F1odie!"
She looked up with tears in her
eyes. She had a strange, exalted look
on her face as she spoke through
clenched teeth. Hail Bonistelle," she
said, Il will not marry you! There!"
She turned away.
Hall suddenly caught fire. He shook
his fist at her 'F'lodie Fisher. you
shall marry mel" The door slammed.
As soon as he had gone, Flodie
I jumped up, and stood for a moment
thinking. She glanced at the clock,
scowled, then walked stealthily to the
door and listened. Opening it, she
| looked out into the hall
"Oh, Alfred!' she. called, and then
she waited
In a moment the janitor appeared,
pale and sad as a specter. Eyes. Miss
Ffsher?"
She regarded him eagerly. ALFRED, .
she said, you said you'd do anything
for me, didn't your"
Yes, Miss Fisher, that's what I
did,"
you will do anything, no matter
what I ask?"
"Oh. yes. Miss Fisher! Indeed I
will"
Then go and get your hat and coat
hurry"
| Eyes, Miss Fisher"
| He left hastily, and F1odie went to
her closet and drew forth her own hat
and coat and put them on, still alb
| sorbed in thought. She was drawing
on her last glove when Alfred re-
appeared.
What is it you want me to do. Miss
! Fisher"
Alfred" she replied, smiling elfsh-
ly on him, 81 want you to go down to
the city hall with me. We're going to
! get a marriage Hcensei"
And before he could reply she had
hurried with him out of the door.
CHAPTER N.
| FTodies mind having been, in the
| afternoon, thus somewhat diverted
I 1~AV- q