The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1915-12-10
CHAPTER xIii-continued.

Is IL? | thought so Take one of
those three women you have proposed
to-they'll do for your purpose
they'll help you out, any one OF them.
You have only 10 say the word. Whistle
and they'll come TO you. There's Mrs
Royalton, now! Marry herl 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
good wife-she's had lot more ex-
perience than l have! Good luck!"
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 a 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.
"Oh, Hail." she breathed
Hall tried unsuccessfully to free
himself. What's the matter now?"
he asked.
She looked fondly up into his face.
| said over the phone?'
A sudden thought came to him.
desperate expedient. Any stick to beat
dog with; any excuse, however RI
dlculous, 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 a histrionic rage.
"Oh, | understand ii right enough.
That's the trouble, | understand ii too
well. Well. you've put me out of my
misery, all right. Thank God, you did
II while there was time for me to es-
cape worse!"
But / don't mean that, Hall, real
ly-"
mo, you mean you only wanted TO
lure me on-get me to propose, and
then throw me down! | 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
dernesssno heart-you're nothing but
a mass of insane female conceit, that's
what you are! Thank God I found II
out in time say! Oh. did think
loved you. Rena | admit but l was
fool to believe in you. Now, it's all
over!"
He stood before her, shaking his fin
ger savagely. IT'S 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
gentleman, and so / can't do it. But
there's one thing | can say, and that's
Good evening" Mrs. Royalton, and
you'll have to excuse me. for / have
my guests to attend to-"
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 you"
He dropped like a log upon a chair,
In anazement. 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 II because I'm so awfully
happy"
The question pricked him into life.
He looked at her coldly. and In des-
peration made another attempt to goad
her into anger.
by jove, / 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. dearl" she replied. with
big innocent eyes, Il don't know what
In the world you're talking about; but
I'll tell you one thing that wouldn't
dol wouldn't give you up for all the
money in the world!"
WELL. 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. II you only had a marriage IL
cense."
"A what?" he cried. thunderstruck.
"A marriage license. you know. OF
course that's always necessary be
fore"
by Jimmy Christmasl" he thun-
eered, staring In front OF him. Rena
was forgotten. everything was forgot.
cen except that, through his stupidity
ell. now. was loot. A marriage H.
rensel Not once had IL occurred to
aim-the whole sublime comedy had
been played out In vain. The four.