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

money-his uncle's will, you know
that was a mistake, wasn't it?"
How a mistake, Miss Dallys ]
wasn't aware that you were interested
in the subject, and hardly know TO
what you refer"
why, ii was all in the papers this
afternoon wasn't it? Everybody knows
about it,"
"Ah," said the lawyer, IL would ad-
wise you not to put too much faith in
the papers, Miss Dallys."
But IL said that Hall would get his
uncle's money"
broke inf he was married on or be-
fore his twenty eighth birthday"
Mrs. Royalton was also in il, excited
ly-"And he's twenty-eight tomorrow
no, it's today!"
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
ticular term"
But isn't II on or before'?" they
demanded.
Not at all. Not at all. The phrase
is, to the best of my recollection. be
fore he has attained his twenty-eighth
birthday In the Interpretation OF the
law, ones birthday begins at midnight
preceding such date. Mr.. Bonstelle'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 1t seems!" said Mr.. Doremus.
And now, ladies, is there anything
else | can do for you? If not, / must
rejoin Mr.. Hassingbury and discuss
his legal arrangements" With a low
bow he passed at once out of the room.
For a moment, the three ladies. non
plused, were dumb. Then, slowly, Rosa
mund turned to Carolyn. ell her rancor
gone, WELL" she said, don't that
beat anything you ever heard in your
life?"
Ii 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
sective. 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 a fool" said Carolyn
finally, I'VE got the wrong tip, that's
all. But ! seem to see, now, why Mr..
Hall was in so much of hurry"
I'm going home!" walled Mrs. Roy
alton, dabbing her eyes.
I'm not, till | give him a piece of
my mind!" cried Rosamund
Hush Wait a minute!' Carolyn
whispered. is that he out in the Of
nee, there, with Miss Fisher? You
wait ! re. girls, I'm going to call him
I'M" Leaving them, she walked quietly
to the door.
Hall! Oh, HALL" she called sweet
ly. She smiled as If upon an angel.
Coma in here minute, will you? I've
goc a little surprise for you!" She
UdCh, SDu lOOh utI pidC6 Will
the others, three In 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 you! I'd like to hear
just what this particular sort of cur
IAN find to say for himself"
GUILTY." said Hall, seeing the use
tessness OF protest Now go ahead!"
Have you got any face to stand
there and calmly acknowledge"
Carolyn broke in. You deliberately
deceived US. then-all three!"
lust exactly as you deceived one
auother!" 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 bludgeon. Aha.
little Jack-the-Lady- Killer, are you?
Three at 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 blubber.
ing-he ought to be horsewhipped
someone's father or somebody's broth
er should thrash him! Ii was an out
rage and a disgrace. What II they
called in the company to publish his
rascality! They we're glad. glad. glad
be had lost his money; 1t was good
enough for him!
II was then that Hall saw a great
light lie gave a laugh that stilled
them.
"Ohof Tho rnonavf Go fhaf'a uhv