The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1915-09-23
CHAPTER ".

There, standing between the Dor
there's. was young woman looking In.
unembarrassedly. with = careless
smile on her face. She was the sort of
girl who affects extremes In style. and
fits to her slimness the sportiest odd
hats. the strsightest. narrowsst, short
est skirts. But they well became her;
there was a not unpleasant masculine
note In her air and costume-a brisk
ness and confidence that spoke Of golf
and tennis, horse or boats. Without
being too pretty, she had finely cut,
sharp features. long nose, gray eyes.
deft chin. She was most distinctly
New York type. trim ~ . cutter.
clean and fresh a. hound. II Mrs.
Royalton had been willowy-languor-
ous upersentimental, suave. the crisp
and cool newcomer was as easily care
less as boy. She waited. with an
arch, somewhat amused expression.
for an invitation to enter.
"Oh-Miss Dallys! Good morning."
Hall called out and walked toward
her. Say, would you mind waiting
Just minutel"
"sure!" said Carolyn Dallys. She
waved her hand jauntily, and retreated
to the office.
Hall returned to Flodie and stared
at her dramatically. Flodio trembled.
Finally he pounded the table with one
stroke Of his fist. by jove!" He
nodded emphatically.
"Oh, Mr.. Bonistelle-you don't mean
=" Flodie looked unspeakable things.
He pointed to the door to the ONCE,
There's the girl, right in therel Caro-
lyn Dallysl Why didn't We think OF
her before?"
Flodie WINGED as II he had struck
her In the face. Then she burnt forth
like waterfall. "Qh, no, mol Let ne
tell you, Mr.. Bonistelle! She's too
mannish, Mr.. Bonistelle, Miss Dallys
is-you want feminine woman, Mr..
Bonistelle-you know--one who can
care for you and look after you. and
see that you get up and keep your ap-
pointments and-oh, dear-can't you
seq She looked at him, saw he
was not listening, made another effort.
more historical. in sheer despair. "Oh,
Mr.. Bonistelle, why. Miss Dallys cares
more for dogs and automobiles than
she does for you. Mr.. Bonistelle-
Bonistelle-" Flodie took him by the
coat lapel impressively. She smokes
cigarettesi"
Hall laughed and chncked her under
the chin. "Oh. that's all right Lord,
Flodie, / don't want to marry a house
keeper, you know. Why. I'll be q mil
lionaire. I'll have servants to do all
that. My wife will have to know 4
thing or two. you know, society, and
manners and taste. Carolyn is right
In 1t. College education, music and
everything need-drives a car. plays
polo-bridge-swims and shoots-why,
Lord, I'd be proud to death of her. You
go right in and tell her I'm ready"
Again Flodie fiinched. She gave him
one hungry look and started for the Of
fice. Then new thought stabbed her.
She turned. What II Mrs. Royalton
should say yes7 What II she should ?"
Hall suddenly came to his senses.
Say, by jovel That would be a mix
up, wouldn't It'll hadn't thought of
that at ALL" He dropped down on =
chair and looked at her hopelessly.
Did Flodie see. at the prospect of
such an ENHANCEMENT. faint hope for
her own chances? Her face. for a mo
ment. lighted. 1t was anyone. now. 70
beat Mrs. ~Royalton. Flodie foresav
that Carolyn Dallys alone could helm
her. Yes. he must propose to CAROLYN.
Her voice came artfully smooth and
sweet.
You could hatch up a quarrel
couldn't you-perhaps you could tell
her something horrid--or do some
thing-well, you knowl"
Or you could. Couldn't you. Flo
diet You've helped me out before
You're clever. You know women"
Flodie was new creature now. Tho
primitive woman in her was aroused.
She smiled-but 1t vas 30 unlike Flo
dies sunny smile-it was electric. shs
nodded sagely.
We'll, then. I'll take 4 chance. anv-
way. Lord. think I've got right to
make as good . choice a. can. III
have to be married to orderl | don't
see why l should ruin my whole life
just because l happened to see Mrs
Royalton first! You tell Carolyn I'm
all ready"
Flodie nodded. with hard look in
her eyes. "All right" she said SLOWLY.