The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1915-09-24
CHAPTER IV-Continued.

Hall had gone into a momentary
reverie. In that day-dream he had al
ready lived three years with Carolyn,
travelled abroad, even to Constantine
pie. had seen her entertain grand
dukes on his yacht, had fought two or
three duels with offensive Italian Of
fcers on her account. They had rid
den horseback up California canyons.
Just now they were back in New York.
There was even a little Hall Boni-
stelle-
Here! Wake up!"
He was suddenly jerked back into
the present. with Carolyn now seated
on a couch, impatiently staring at him.
He smiled self-consciously.
What's the matter with you, Hall? ?"
she asked, looking at him queerly.
"You haven't got a hangover or any
thing, have you? l didn't think you
doped"
He laughed nervously. Il suppose
you fascinate me, Carolyn"
She gave a whoop Of JOY. Me,
uncle?" She pointed inquiringly at
her breast. Say, Hall. old chap, pass
the molasses. We women just eat il
up, you know! Makes us fat. l need
lot of 1t, Exit headache!"
This was hopeless for Hall. He
must get serious, or there would be no
managing a proposal. Or. perhaps
her manner gave him the cue
wouldn't she be more amenable to a
humorous offer? TRY it," said his
Intuition. He walked up to her.
Carolyn, see here, how would you
like it if you thought I'd lain awake all
last night thinking about you-yes,
and the night before. and all last
week."
Fine! | feel better already. Too
good to be true, though. Did you. real
ly?" She rumpled his hair affection
ately.
81 certainly did. The fact is, Caro-
lyn, I'm pretty desperate about you"
Carolyn winked. Easy now-easy!"
che said calmly.
That's right though! I've got a
case of Carolyn Dallys good and
plenty. It's begun to hurt, girl; d'you
know it?"
Carolyn rose, yawning. "Oh, well, IL
you're going to be silly. Hall, think
I'd better be going. How about these
proofs, anyway"
Proofs be darned! You're not GO
ing-not till settle this thing. Shall
bare my breast and let you give 1t
the stroke, smiling? Or do you prefer
to administer an opiate?"
He dropped the mock-heroic pose
and took up the blunt-sincere. He
walked over to her and took her hand.
She had no objections whatever, ap-
parently. Carolyn, it's an honest fact
want yoJ!"
"Mr. Bonistelle, am really to un-
aerstand that you are proposing TO
me?" Carolyn smilingly looked him In
the eye.
"Oh. suppose you think it's a joke,
gust because I don't speak in blank
verse"
Well I'll be darned! | believe the
mans serious!"
She said nothing for moment, mar
rowing her eyes and looking at him
with the same amused tolerant express
sion. Then she spoke: We'll, Hall.
II strikes me you must be pretty sure
OF me to do 1t in two-step, like this
Why. usually they crawl all over the
carpet"
Hall interrupted her: "Oh, don't
Carolynl Please don'ti"
Carolyn's face changed. "You don't
actually mean it. honey?" she asked
Gnxiously. putting hand on his arm
Mean it! Why, Carolyn, OF course
mean il! It's no use. can't make
IT theatrical. You have a sense of
humor; so have |. Perhaps a girl
ought TO be entitled TO a little fire.
works on such an occasion-or even
poetry-I'll try it IL you insist, you
know-but. somehow. can't take my
self so seriously" She withdrew her
hand frowning. "Oh, that doesn't
mean that | don't take you seriously.
Carolyn. or rather that don't want TO
Il mean-confound IL, I'm not con-
eeited enough to convince myself that
I'm even a little bit worth your while"
We'll. then. try to convince me- why
don't ycu?''
That's what I'm trying to do. grill
Lord. Carolyn. there's no use in your
not believing; you must believe IT. I
want you something fierce, really I do
want you the way little kid wants
ke cream-the way girl wants a new
Easter hat"
Heavens. is II really as bad as
fhat7" She turned away. "Oh. Hall.
'eally. you know. you're too ridicu-
pusl"
"Oh. I'm the clown with the dying