Middletown transcript., 1915-06-26

excitement. tiptoed back into the Of
fee.
Mr. Doremus deposited the paper
upon the table. well. / shall leave
you this copy to inspect at your
leisure. You may not be aware that /
am justice of the peace, Mr.. Boni-
stelle. l shall be quite willing to ac.
commodate you, should you find q
bride. think / could perform as cred
table a ceremony as any Clergyman
at half pricel" He chuckled at the
idea.
Hall, in no mood for jests, rose and
followed him. where's Cousin Jonas
Mr.. Hassingbury?" he asked. Lord,
he ought to be happy man, about
nowI"
Mr.. Doremus paused. II took the
first opportunity Of telegraphing to
Mr.. Hassingbury," he said, Informing
him Of the provisions of ]. B. Boni-
stelle's will l requested his immedi-
ate appearance in town, and have no
doubt that he will arrive here some
time during the day"
Think of that old hypocrite getting
all that money!" Hall exclaimed
Lord it makes me ill-he'll be thou
sand times more disgusting than ever,
with his religious bosh and his charity
talk!"
Mr.. Doremus lifted an eloquent fin
ger. Gas an executor, you understand
must preserve an attitude Of strict
impartiality," he admonished. "At the
same time, IN my private capacity.
confess that am on the side Of youth.
Four millions-ah, one could indulge
ones youthful dreams!" He shook
his head sentimentally. Isl la jeu.
nesse savait, 81 la vleillesse pouvait!"
Hall watched him, half-amused.
"Say, Doremus, you're all right" Mr..
Doremus was looking over his shoul-
der to get a glimpse of Flodie. Hall
had an idea. II say" he suggested,
why not come around here tonight,
and we'll have wake over my lost in.
heritance. I'm giving a small party.
; you know, just few of my clients,
and an actress or two"
"Well, we'll! 1t might remind me of
: old times" Mr.. Doremus offered his
hand. "I think l shall come. It may
renew my youth. All, Mr.. Bonistelle,
: you might not believe it, but I've wait
ed at the stage door myself, in my
time!"
"ITl bet you have, old sport! and got
p away with it, too." said Hall. laugh
ing. Come along, then. I'll set them
l on you!"
"But meanwhile. don't forget that I'm
e a justice of the peace!" Mr.. Doremus
s gave Hall poke in the ribs, grinned
bowed and went out, with youngish
smile at Flodie as he fiourished
through the office.
No sooner was the door shut thar
l. Hall Bonistelle exploded. well, Flo
l. die, it's all up! It's back to the farm
d for mine! Isn't that just my luck?"
" A lively hope had blossomed in Flo
dies heart. She was pale and trepid
Il couldn't quite hear" she answered
assembling; what was it?"
-Four and a half million dollar
gone to the devil just by a 1uke-
that's all BY jove, it's an outraged"
, Flodie stood twisting her hands
1 nervously "You don't mean you're
4 going to let that" Flodie stopped
just in time; her mind had run away
Y with her lips. "Oh, Mr.. Bonistelle,
y mean you don't mean that mean ole
y Jonas Hassingbury's going to get thai
money"
Eyes, confound him! The psalm
\ singing, holier-than-thou old hypo
critic! Four millions. Flodie! Thinl
Of It! Good Lord, isn't it ferocious'
And II that will had only been fount
\ when Uncle John died-but Lord
: what's the use of talking" He walked
: doggedly back into the studio, ant
: gave a vicious swing to his camera.
Flodie Fisher followed him in, thel
stood looking at him pensively. Sh
: spoke slowly, softly, deliberately
a why don't you go ahead and get tn
. money, Mr.. Bonistelle?"
Get the money? How?"
why, get married." Flodie turne
suddenly crimson.
why, who in the world would hav
me?"
n FIodie swallowed down a lump |
her throat. "Oh." she said. I'm sur
there's some nice girl who'd be 8
@ proud to marry you, Mr.. Bonistelle!
well, don't know how I'm
x find her-and I've got deuced httl
~ time to look. Why, do you realiz
m that I've only got till midnight to d
up the whole thing in?" He went up
her. "And do you imagine that an
Ut woman would want to be married
a. that way?"
g; "Oh, when you're in love, it doesn
matter how soon"
,. "A hurricane wooing. eh? BY jov
w. wonder" He stared at her with
ne new light in his eyes. Say, you rea
'tF ly think l could get away with II
Why, never"
M Mln- "Oh, you could do anything, M
liS Bonistelle. I'm certain you could"
. do you know of any woman who
have me-that uuick2"