Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1915-10-21
CHAPTER xIV-continued.

CHAP r X %tV-ConIinU60.
II
Mr.. Doremus!" she calculated. 81
heard something about Halls losing
money-his uncle's win, you know
that was q mistake, wasn't it,"
How a mistake, Miss Dallys! I
wasn't aware that you were interested
in the subject, and hardly know to
what you refer"
Why, it was all IN the papers this
afternoon wasn't it? Everybody knows
about it,"
All" said the lawyer, 81 would ad-
the papers, Miss Dallys."
But it said that Hall would get his
uncles money
Rosamund, who had joined her,
broke inf he was married on OF be-
fore his twenty-eighth birthday"
Mrs. Royalton was also in it, excited
ly-"And he's twenty-eight tomorrow
no, it's todayH
Mr.. DOremus stood, with his hands
behind his back, watching them i'm
passively. "Ah, my dear ladies', that
just shows how little one can depend
upon the daily press. On and after
reporters love such expressions. They
positively seem to think that no docu-
ment is complete without that par
tcular term"
but isn't It on or before'?" they
demanded
Not at all. Not at all. The phrase
IS. to the best Of my recollection, be
fore be has attained his twenty-eighth
birthday In the Interpretation of the
law, ones birthday begins at midnight
preceding such date. Mr.. Bonistelle's
chances for inheriting, therefore, lapse
at twelve o'clock"
One and all turned to gaze at the
clock. And now, it's ten minutes
past!" cried Carolyn
$50 It seems!" said Mr.. Doremus.
And now, ladies, is there anything
else can do for you? If not, I must
rejoin Mr.. Hassingbury and discuss
his legal arrangements" With a low
bow he passed at once out Of the room.
For moment, the three ladies, non
piused, we're dumb. Then, slowly, Rosa
Nund turned to Carolyn, all her rancor
gone. Well" she said, don't that
beat anything you ever heard in your
life?"
It was evident by Carolyn's ironic
smile that she considered the remark
inadequate, but even she could do no
better. Mrs. Royalton was more eff
fectiYe. She burst into tears.
Rosamund began to storm. why,
It's no better than stealing! That's
the only word for it,"
Lord, don't be fool" said Carolyn
finally, we got the wrong tip, that's
all. But I seem to see, now, why Mr.
Hall was in so much of a hurry"
I'm going home!" walled Mrs. Roy
alton. dabbing her eyes.
I'm not till I give him a piece of
my mind" cried Rosamund.
Hush! Wait a minute!" Carolyn
whispered. is that he out in the Of
fee, there, with Miss Fisher? You
wait here, girls, I'm going to call him
in" Leaving them, she walked quietly
to the door,
Hall! oh, HALL" she called sweet
". She smiled as If upon an angel.
Come In here a minute, will you? I've
got little surprise for you'll" She
darted back, and took her place with
the others. three in a line.
He came in smiling, saw the three
outraged ladies, and stopped, with an
embarrassed grin. What is it?" he
managed to say.
"Oh, Hall, Hall. you've broken my
heart!" Mrs. Royalton wept again.
Hush up, Rena, You let me talk.
Miss Gale, will youy I'd like to hear
just what this particular sort of cur
can find to say for himseIf!"
GUILTY." said Hall, seeing the use
lessness Of protest. Nov go ahead"
Have you got any face to stand
there and calmly acknowledge"
Carolyn broke in You deliberately
deceived US. then-all three!"
Just exactly as you deceived one
another" he could not resist adding.
At that, all three broke loose to-
gether, and, for the next five minutes
Hall Bonistelle faced the music. 1t
was not only useless, but impossible.
to answer them. He stood, with his
arms folded, bowling and smiling sar-
donically
The stiletto was Carolyn's weapon,
but for Rosamund. the bIudgeon. Aha,
little Jack-the-Lady-K Killer, are you
Three at a shot, eh?" sang in between
You're a cad, Hall Bonistelle, you're
liar and a cheat!" Poor Rena could
but feebly pinch him with reproaches;
she was dissolved in her woe. So it
went, splitting, pounding and bIubber-
ing-he ought to be horsewhipped,
someone's father or somebody's broth
er should thrash him! 1t was an out
rage and a disgrace What if they
called in the company to publish his
rascality? They were glad, glad, glad
he had lost his money; it was good
enough for him!
1t was then that Hall saw a great
light He gave a laugh that stiIled
them.
"Oho! The money! SO that's why
you were all suddenly so keen to
marry me. was it! Why, I don't see
how you women have the nerve to
look me in the face! Why, q woman