The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1915-09-28
CHAPTER XlIi-Continued.

Wv DIG Ou MN Will oNCA L.
oh, that's why you're in such hurry,
is it? l thought so. Take one of
those three women you have proposed
to-they'll do for yotr purpose
they'll help you out, any one of them.
You have only to say the word. Whistle
and they'll come to you. There's Mrs.
Royalton, nowi Marry her! You've
got ten minutes left-go ahead, don't
care!" She paused on the threshold
I'll send her in. She'll make you a
good wife-she's had lot more ex-
perience than l have! Good lucki"
Hall, left alone, walked up and down
the studio angrily. He was so en-
crossed with his thoughts that he did
not see Mrs. Royalton, who had en-
tered moment after Flodie left, until,
turning suddenly, he all but ran into
her. Rena, beaming, ELUSIVE, held out
both her hands, caught his and laid
her dark head against his shoulder.
ooh, Hall" she breathed
Hall tried unsuccessfully to free
himself Whats the matter now?"
he asked
She looked fondly up into his face.
ooh, Hall, didn't you understand what
said over the phone?"
A sudden thought came to him, a
desperate expedient. Any stick to beat
a dog with; any excuse, however RI
diculous, would do for quarrel with
this clinging sickening female. He
must get rid of her. So, quick as
flash, he took up her words and
plunged into histrionic rage.
ooh, l understand 1t right enough.
That's the trouble, understand it too
we'll Well you've put me out of my
misery, all right. Thank God, you did
1t while there was time for me to es-
cape worse"
But l don't mean that, Hall, real
ly-"
NO, you mean you only wanted to
lure me on-get me to propose, and
then throw me down! I know! All
woman cares for is to fool some man
any man will do, suppose, so long
as her vanity is satisfied, and she can
have his scalp to wear at her belt!
Isn't it shameful what a woman will
do, just for the moments cruel pleas
ure? You have no sympathy, no ten
derness, no heart-you're nothing but
a mass of insane female conceit, that's
what you are! Thank God l found it
out in time | say! Oh, l did think |
loved you, Rena, | admit; but | was
fool to believe in you. Now, it's all
overt"
He stood before her, shaking his fin
ger savagely Its all over, and I'm
glad of it! I'm we'll rid of you, Rena
Royalton, and it will teach me les
son! I'd just like to tell you what
think of you, but you're my guest in
my house, and unfortunately I'm a
gentleman, and so / can't do it. But
there's one thing I can say, and that's
Good EVENING" Mrs. Royalton, and
you'll have to excuse me, for L have
my guests to attend tot"
Almost winded with this extrava-
CANT fury, he turned to make his exit
as speedily as possible, but she was
too quick for him. Selling his arm,
she looked him straight in the face,
her eyes filled with tears.
why, Hall Bonistelle!" she ex-
claimed. You're crazy! Why, I'm go
ing to accept youi"
He dropped like log upon a chair,
in amazement. She had demolished
his whole towering pose at a word
For a moment he was unable to speak.
Then she looked at him very archly.
Hail. she said, don't you think I'm
prettier than usual tonight? Or do
imagine it because I'm so awfully
happy?"
The question prfcked him into life.
He looked at her coldly, and in des-
peration made another attempt to goad
her into anger.
by jove, l didn't think a woman
could-well, a, woman will do any
thing to get what she wants. then.
won't she? She'll pay any price, and
suffer any indignity! Good Lord.
haven't you any pride, Rena, for
heavens sake? Haven't you any sense
of shame? Tell me; is there anything
you wouldn't do for money, Rena Roy
alton? Let's have it,
why, Hall, dear!" she replied. with
big innocent eyes, Il don't know what
III Tue WOIlQ yOo q talhlIS dUOQI,
I'll tell you one thing that l wouldn't
dol wouldn't give you up for all the
money in the world"
We'll, can you beat it," he gasped,
addressing a Spanish chair.
"Ah, Hail." she continued, when /
once consent, | go fast. Really, I'd
like to be married to you this very
night, If you only had a marriage H.
cense."
"A what?" he cried, thunderstruck
"A marriage license, you know Of
course that's always necessary be-
fore"
"By jimmy Christmas he thun-
dered, staring in front of him. Rena
was forgotten, everything was forgot
ten except that, through his stupidity
all, now, was lost. A marriage L.
censei Not once had it occurred to
him-the whole sublime comedy had
been played out in vain The four
millions Hassingbury had won.
after all!
Value of Mothers Stories.