The midland journal., 1915-07-30
CHAPTER VI.

III was Two o CLOCK IN the afternoon.
Flodie was crying. Seated at her desk,
her bills Uttered. her account books in
disorder, her head was down ON her
arms, in an attitude OF dismal aban-
don. She did not weep, she cried.
Hall Bonistelle married land not to
her! Married to whom? All, that
was the worst Of it. II Flodie had
known the identity of her rival her
sorrow might have, before now, been
transmitted into anger Would Mrs.
Royalton, or Carolyn Dallys become
Mrs. Bonistelle? Or, worst of all,
would the wedding ring be worn by
Rosamund Gale? Flodie didn't know,
Hall didn't know. Even Rosamund
didn't know herself. Hence Flodie's
tears, wet and heavy, splashing, trick
ling. soaking the dark blue blotter of
Flodies desk
At two-ten sundry sounds, translat-
ed by Flodie's intimate knowledge Of
Hall Bonistelle's ways, indicated his
approach. She sat hastily down at the
typewriter and began to print OF this
interesting message:
"Quiz Jack; thy frowns vex, q. d.
Plumb"
Interesting mainly because, a con-
coction of Flodie's debutante days at
the typewriter, 1t contained every
known letter of the alphabet. Now 1t
served to focus her mind on her fin
gers, and hide her face from scrutiny.
When Hall came in, she had copied
the statement nine times, and seemed
too busy for speech.
Say, I'm going out, Flo!" he an
nounced, and tapped with his stick on
the floor thoughtfully.
Flodie kept right on: THY frowns
vex G. D. Plumb" But love and curl
osity won against embarrassment. She
wheeled round in her chair. What
are going to do, Mr.. Bonistelle? :?
There's work for you to do, / should
think"
Lord, / don't feel much like work
today, but, I've finished Mrs. Royal
toms plates, Garry Dallys', too; some
of her poses are not half bad. She's
almost pretty. did you know it? l
didn't have time to develop Rosamund.
She can wait; | expect I'll have plenty
OF time for her later"
At the infection Flodie turned to
him again with heartbroken look.
"Oh. Mr.. Bonistelle! Have you-really
made up your mind that She"
Flodie couldn't finish. She choked.
Hall laughed Lord, made up my
mind! What good would that do? It's
up to them, now. Well, I'm on the
way to buy the ring and ought to
get suit of clothes to go away in
haven't anything at all to wear"
Flodie bit her lip hard "Oh, Mr..
Bonistelle!-" was she going to break
down, after all? In despair, her fin
gers flew to the keys of her machine.
thy frowns vex G. D. Plumb. Quiz
Jack"
He tapped her pla9fully with the
tip OF his stick. We'll, I'm of, Flo.
See you tonight. Be here early!"
Flodie turned wretched face to
him. Her eyes were wet.
But | don't know how you want
the rooms decorated, Mr.. Bonistelle!"
"Oh. l don't care-use your own
taste. It'll be all right. You can do
it. So long, Flo!" And he was off.
Flodie went to the washstand be-
hind the screen and dabbed her eyes
in cold water. then inspected herself
mercilessly in the mirror A sigh.
She made a face at herself and re-
turned listlessly to work.
But mental occupation was impos-
sible; Flodie had too much on her
mind alrt ady. Manual exercise was
what she needed to keep her from
giving up to her misery. There were the
freshly developed Diates-she went
into the dark room to get them.
Taking the rack full of glass mega
tives. she emerged and walked into
the office, Busy with melancholy
thoughts of Hall Bonistelle, a shock
awaited her. There was stranger
In the room.
Mr.. BonisteIIe in?"