The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1915-12-17

! will do anything for money. then, will
she? She'll cheat. and lie and cut her
best friends throat behind her back
by jove, you're the coldest-blooded set
Of female vampires ! ever saw in my
life! It's a revelation 10 me! SO
that's all you wanted, eh? That's why
! you all hung fire this morning, and got
me into this confounded mess-oh. you
wanted time. Yes, time TO investi-
| gate my finances, OF course-and then,
when you do get wind of this devilish
old legacy then you're all after me on
the gallop. like a pack of Siberian
wolves-falling over one another 10
see who can get TO the telephone first!
| Well. thank God found il out in time.
/ Thank God I'm free OF all three of you,
you lying. back-biting, mercenary. two
faced hypocrites! Well, it's all over,
! now. ! advise you TO train your guns
on Cousin Jonas!"
There was a disagreeable pause.
/ When the pot calls the kettle black IL
| is uncomfortable for both. Then the
/ three women. their rage and disap-
! pointment still unappeased, swept out
| Of the studio and left him alone Rosa.
| mund went out, surly and lowering,
! Carolyn sarcastic TO the last. with
/ bitter smile upon her lips. Mrs. Royal.
| ton abjectly weeping hurling her faint
/ reproaches with lessening might
/ She turned at the door to pull the
/ ruby ring from her hand. and, with all
] Of LInHfn'c abandon 20 uith lacg Of
/ Flodie's Justification, tossed it at him
| He drew long breath, and dropped
! into a chair II had been very bad
! five minutes; IL was relief TO have il
! over. What next? The music still
| continued, but it would soon be time
| for his guests TO be leaving. He knew
! he ought TO go out intog the other
rooms and play the host-but he could
! not. II was impossible for him to see
! again the three ladies who must Just
now be making their scornful exit AS
! soon as they were out Of the way, he
would do his best with the others.
He knelt down on the floor and be.
! gan TO search for the ring.
Are you in here, Mr.. Bonistele?"
came Flodie's gentle voice at the door
He jumped up and faced her. Yes.
Flodie."
She came In timidly and gave a
glance at the clock. Yes, it's all over;
the moneys gone" he said calmly.
Have they left yet?"
She nodded, smiling. They're all
making up TO Jonas with all their
might. BY the way they talked, you
must have had a pretty lively time
with them" Flodie sat down demurely.
Il should say so. Flodie! Three
ladies have told me tonight rather ex-
| plicitly that I'm a cad. What d'you
think"
You're not!" she cried Flodie sat
up Indignantly. her eyes blazing.
He gave her quick surprised look.
and his face lighted with hope. 1t
was the first time their eyes had met
in perfect accord. 1t was the first real
thrill.
Then" he hardly dared to say it
have you forgiven me, Flo?
Have you forgiven me?"
YOU For what?" 1t was evident
! that she need not fear him.
Flodie cast down her eyes a mo,
ment. then raised them boldly. For
pretending"
Pretending what?"
Pretending that didn't care" Flo
die, suddenly embarrassed, jumped up
and walked away from him. Hall made
! N har 10 caught hor IN hig
arms.
"Oh. do you care, Flodie? Do you?
Do you? Even after all this?"
| He kissed her ardently full on the
lips.
Flodie extricated herself from his
grasp. Isn't it-of course it's very
nice. Habits awfully nice-but isn't
it-just little-well, premature?"
She brought it out timidly. but her
face showed her rapture.
He dropped his arms and stood. sud
denly disconnected. then laughed nerv-
ously. why. surely you ought to be-
lieve me now, Flodie! I'm right back
TO where was this morning-no for
tune, no prospects-just working for
my living and quite head over heels
in debt"
Flode giggled blissfully, DO you
want your eggs boiled two minutes,
this morning. Mr.. Bonistelle. or
three?"
He smiled and shook his head.
Yes. it's all over-I1l have no mil
lions to offer youi after all, Flodie. I'm
just a poor devil OF a photographer.
Don't you believe me now?" he repeat
ed aQxiously.
Flodie was trembling. Believe
what. Hall?" she hung her head. You
haven't said it, YETI"
For a moment he stood looking at
her. puzzled. then broad grin spread
over his face. Obi" he cried. We'll
guess! Is that it," Jubilant. now,
he approached her with playful mock
romantic airs. knelt and put his arms
around her. "Will you marry me.
Flodie?"
CHAPTER XIV.