Middletown transcript., 1915-09-04
CHAPTER Ix-continued.

"'On or before said Carolyn, frown-
ing. She looked over Rosamund's
shoulder.
Flodie looked up with a quick fling
of her head. Her eyes snapped.
-Four millions!" Rosamund put
down the paper.
For a moment the three women
looked at one another in silence. A
wave Of bitterest enmity seemed to
sweep around the circle. Each face
was set and hard, as each guarded her
secret thought Then each stirred.
restless and nervous, in fear Of betray-
ing herself
Carolyn spoke, almost In a whisper.
$50 that's why Hall proposed to us all
today!"
YES" said Mrs. Royalton. "He evil
IDENTIFY wanted to be sure of getting at
least one OF u.s." Her lips curled in a
sneer.
mo wonder he was in hurry" said
Rosamund. -Four millions!"
There was another tense pause.
while Flodie watched, fascinated, TAX
ing gasping breaths. Then the three
spoke almost simultaneously, one to
another.
"You promised" 1t was a threat,
question, entreaty, all in one.
Carolyn and Mrs. Royalton stared at
Rosamund. Rosamund faced the two
defiantly. In that crisis the three
Women were swept millions of miles
apart, then clashed fiercely together.
Little Flodie was forgotten; she
turned from one to the other in alarm.
Then came the forced confession, with
a sigh from each of the three. "Yes,
we did promise! Yes. we did! Yes!"
Carolyn again took command. This
is serious thing, girls. We must
keep our word, every one of US. Rosa
mund, you can't go back on us, now!"
go back ON you? Why do you pick
me out How about you and Mrs.
Royalton, I'd like to know? Are you
going to stand by me?"
Yes, you proposed it in the first
place, you know. Carolynl" Mrs. Roy
alton broke in. 81 think you had better
speak for yourself. before you accuse
us!"
WELL" said Carolyn, hesitatingly,
II don't intend to back out of it." She
suddenly turned suspiciously to Flo
die and forced a laugh. "Oh, Miss
Fisher" she said, suavely, don't think
ware insane or anything, but this is a
little joke we had planned for the party
tonight. A sort of surprise. you
know"
"Oh, yes, didn't quite understand
what you were saying, l was so busy"
said Flodie. About the costumes,
isn't it?"
Eyes. about the costumes" Mrs.
Royalton interrupted sweetly, you see
we're all going to wear"
"Oh. don't give it all away!" Rosa
mund exclaimed.
Mrs. Royalton took a step toward
the door. well, Carolyn, I've got to
CO." she said. 1--WE been here an aw-
full while"
"Wen, I've got to leave myself;
mercy, it's awfully late! think I'll
go with you!" said Carolyn, moving off
nervously. you've got your car here,
haven't your" Mrs. Royalton nodded.
"All right, then; come on!"
Say, l think I'll go along, too"
Rosamund was now conscious of her
equality with these society ladies', and
proposed to display it-in her own
way. "l'd just as lief go uptown. l
have an errand ON Ninetieth street,
anyway"
Mrs. Royalton resigned herself to
the inevitable. Truth to tell, she was
no little afraid of this picturesque
blonde. "oh. then, very well-In be
delighted to give you lift in my car,
I'm sure:"
Carolyn gave her a glance, and
smiled acridly. "Oh, yes, do come,
Miss Gale. wen be 80 glad to see more
of you! That will be charming"
mo" said Rosamund, bluntly, II
think I'll walk. after ALL" The three
went out with Over-polite good after.
moons" to Miss Fisher.
CHAPTER x.