Middletown transcript., 1915-07-10
CHAPTER III-contInued.

Mercy, Hall! Not here! Not now!
Not yeti" She took a few steps from
him, and turned to look him over,
even as he had looked at her. She
looked as a woman looks at a hat in a
milliner's, then shook her head, as If
she were not sure it was becoming.
mo, Hall, I'm afraid must have a lit
tie time. can't decide just now"
Renal"
mo, Hall. You must be patient,
dear. Give me a week."
See here!" Hall spoke deliberately.
"Will you let me know tonight? You're
coming to my party here, tonight,
aren't your"
"Why, yes, was"
will you give me your answer
them"
She hung fire for a moment. Hall
gave a gesture of agony-it was his
supreme effort and had a touch of
genius. Mrs. Royalton, seeing, capt.
ulated. well, then, all right to-
night"
Hall tried again for an embrace
even while repulsing him she let him
taste her lips, then she feebly pushed
him away. "Oh, Hall, you MUSTN'T
Not yet, anyway-you know haven't
accepted you, yet. Oh, can't decide
I've got to think it all over calmly"
Lord, not calmly, Renal" he ex
claimed. He gazed sadly at his shoes
1.-THE suspense will be terrible!" he
said, and with elaborate emphasis
my darling!"
"Oh Faint heart ne'er won fair
ladyl'" Mrs. Royalton seemed fully
two inches taller than when she had
come in. 'Now, must go, Hall. Good
by!" She held out her hand, an EN-
press to a slave. He kissed it with
fervor. And with that she smiled, ant
walked out.
For ten minutes Flodie had stood
stealthily by the door, trying to listen
She had barely time to spring back tt
her desk.
"Good-by, Miss Fisher!" Mrs. Royal
ton paused condescendingly. 81 thinl
If you used almond cream for you
face it might do it a great deal o
good. Try one of those wrinkle-bands
why don't you They're really yer!
efflcacious" She swished into thu
dressing room to put on her veil.
Flodie waited a moment in scornfu
silence. then burst into the studio II
find Hall gazing in a stupor out thu
window, hands in pockets, scowl oil
his face. What did she say?" sht
whispered. Hall didn't hear. "Wha
did she say, Mr. Bonistelle!" Flodi
was perishing of suspense.
Hall walked to the couch an,
dropped down, shaking his head
"She wanted time. Time Contour,
1.-THE only thing l haven't got
What d'you think of that! feel as /
I'd done a weeks washing! I'm al
used up! Say, Flodie. it takes lot
Of energy to propose, did you know
that?"
Flodie regarded him wistfully.
should think it would-especiall,
when you don't mean it."
"Oh, l mean it all right. I'll stan,
for it. Four millions! Lord, VIII,
wouldn't l mean it? I'd mean any
thing"
81 mean when you don't really Low
her. Mr.. Bonistelle. don't see hoy
you could do it. could never d
anything like that!"
"Well; you ought to be glad yo
don't have to Flodie. Unfortunately,
do. Why, she'll make a good wife
won't she? l don't say love her, e1
actly; but, well. I've always like
Rena Royalton. She's a good fellow
She's got the looks, and the style, an
the family connections and everything
wouldn't be bit ashamed of her a
Mrs. Bonistelle What's the matte
with you, FlodieT You look so queer
III or anything
"Oh, I'm all right" FIodie smile
bitterly. "Only--only-"
"Well, I'll be hanged! Why, am
body would think 1t was you who wer
in a hole, not me- Lord, thought yo
cared enough for me to help me out!
She moved instinctively towar
him; instinctivey she withdrew. "Ol
do, really l do Mr.. Bonlstelle! Ho1
can help you? Tell mel"
"Well, what ain going to do If Mri
Royalton refuses me. By 1ove! Jus
think of its being In that woman
power to cost ne four and half mi
lions! It's outiageous!"
Don't you lei her, Mr.. Bonistelle!
Flodie broke oui eagerly. "Oh. 1t ism
right. Surely there's some other wa
"a better way than that, Mr.. Bon
stelle!"
"A better wayf What d'you mean!
Hall looked at Ter, puzzled.
Flodie screwed up her courage, Az
reached gently 'or his hand. But, nj
che diun't nuiia dare take IT He