The midland journal., 1915-08-13
CHAPTER vIl-continued.

Flodie reappeared at the doorway.
She didn't appear to resent the ques-
tion in the least Seventeen week" "
Rosamund's look had vitriol. HIM"
Her lips lost some of their beauty. Il
see one place where he could reduce
expenses pretty easily!"
Really? I'm willing. Oh. I've had
plenty of offers, said Flodie. Il don't
have to stay here. only do because
he wants me to so much, and / don't
see how he could ever get along with
out me-
We'll" Rosamund turned away
scornfully. Il think he'll get along all
right. The next offer you get. ad-
wise you to take it. Hall may change
his plans pretty soon, and you might
be in the way"
Rosemund had led trumps, SO Flodie
followed suit She took her time. how
ever, biting the end Of her penholder
thoughtfully. II don't know but you're
right, Miss Gale" she said finally,
perhaps had better leave. You see,
Mr. Bonistelle is likely to get married
any time, you never can tell with a
man like him, and would be in the
way. as you say" Rosamund's chin
had risen an inch. Flodie watched it,
as she added, It would be an awfully
good thing for Mr.. Bonistelle. too.
You see. his wife could keep the books
and stay In the office, here, and he'd
save by it; of course he wouldn't have
to pay her any salary"
Rosamund's chin dropped. Why,
heavens! he wouldn't think Of having
his wife"
"Oh, you don't know him." Flodie
did the airy fairy mood Besides, he
couldn't afford to marry any other
way
why, I thought by the way he
talked that he was doing pretty good
business"
WELL" Flodie replied. with a fine
frankness, fits this way. You see,
Mr.. Bonistelle thinks he's doing a lot
of business when he's not. He does a
lot of work. mean, but he takes SO
many pictures for nothing. it's worse
than if he were idle"
For nothing? How?"
Why, the same as he did yours, ex-
actiy. And women do run after him
so; you wouldn't believe how many!
They're in here all the time"
Rosamund, by this time, didn't quite
know where she was. Being herself a
woman with pliable conscience. she
didn't altogether believe Flodie, but
she was not nearly SO confident and
determined as when she had entered
She had come in with the intention OF
accepting Hall Bonistelle; these hints
of Flodie's disturbed her nightly. She
sat down and began to look over pile
of photographs. nervously.
Flodie read her indecision, and, be
hind her account book, delighted in it.
She had, however. little time to watch
before the door opened and Carolyn
Daliys, trig and debonair, sauntered
into the room.
Now here was chin that was lifted
naturally, with none of Rosamund
Gales affectation of superiority. Caro-
lyn Dallys was sure Of herself. 1t was
much easier to fool with her than tc
fool her Her eyebrows were arched
whimsically over her high-bred aQuiline
nose; her eyes always held humor
GUS spark.
"Oh, how d'you do! Thank you fol-
telephoning me. Miss Fisher | was
so anxious to see those proofs. rar
right over" she drawled amiably al
F1odie, and smiled. in remembrance
of their forenoon's encounter. She
could hardly take anything seriously
enough to bear resentment Then
she gave Rosamund careless glance
modified only by that quality OF inter
est which brunette always gives hel
blonde-haired sister, and bowed slight
iy. Rosamund frankly stared.
"Mr. Bonistelle in?" Carolyn in
quired earelessiy.
Flodie replied that he was away OF
important business. but that most o.
Miss Dallys' proofs were ready
Would she wait till the last two hat
been printed? In point of fact they
had been done half-hour ago. but fol
Flodie's plan. Carolyn and Rosamunt
must be left alone together. It wal
her opening experiment in psychology
Yes. Carolyn would wait, and be
gan to roam about the office idly. hands
In coat pockels. chin UP. whistlinl
softly. Rosamund. from the deter
mined way IN which she was going