Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1915-07-06
CHAPTER III-Contlnued.

Mercy, Hall! Not here! Not now!
Not yeti" She took 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 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 you?"
why, yes, was"
"Wnl 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. We'll, then, all right, to-
night"
IIdll Ll4CQ cA6dAAA III al
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 l haven't
accepted you, yet. Oh, I cant decide.
I've got to think it all over calmly"
Lord, not calmly, Renal" he ex-
claimed. He gazed sadly at his shoes.
THE suspense will be t9rrible!" he
said, and with elaborate emphasis,
my darling!"
ooh, Faint heart ne'er won fair
1ady!'" Mrs. Royalton seemed fully
two inches taller than when she had
come in. Now, l 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, and
walked out.
For ten minutes F1odie had stood
steaIthily by the door, trying to listen.
She had barely time to spring back to
her desk.
"Good-by, Miss Fisher!" Mrs. Royal
ton paused condescendingly. 81 think
II you used almond cream for your
face it might do it a great deal of
good. Try one of those wrinkle-bands,
why don't you! They're really very
.efficaclous" She swished into the
dressing room to put OF her veil.
Flodie waited a moment in scornfuI
silence, then burst into the studio to
find Hall gazing in a stupor out the
window, hands in pockets, a scowl on
his face. What did she say?" she
whispered. Hall didn't hear. What
did she say, Mr.. Bonistelle!" Flodie
was perishing of suspense.
Hall walked to the couch and
dropped down. shaking his head
''She wanted time. Time. Confound
it-the only thing 1 haven't got
What d'you think of that! l feel as II
I'd done a weeks washingi I'm all
used up! Say, Flodie, 1t takes lots
of energy to propose, did you know
that?"
F1odie regarded him wistfully. 81
should think it would-especially
when you don't mean it."
"Oh, mean it all right. I'll stand
for it. Four millions Lord, why
wouldn't I mean it? I'd mean any
thing!"
81 mean when you don't really love
her, Mr.. Bonistelle. I don't see how
you could do it. I could never dc
anything like that"
We'll, you ought to be glad you
don't have to Flodie. Unfortunately,
do. Why she'll make a good wife
won't she? l don't say love her, ex
actly; but. well, I've always liked
Rena Royalton. She's a good fellow
She's got the looks, and the style, ant
the family connections and everything
l wouldn't be bit ashamed of her as
Mrs. Bonistelle. What's the matter
with you, Flodie? You look so queer!
III or anything"
"Oh, I'm all right" Flodie smiled
bitterly. "Only-only-"
We'll, I'll be hanged! Why. any
body would think it was you who were
in hole, not me, Lord. thought yor
cared enough for me 20 help me out!'
She moved instinctively toward
him; instinctively she withdrew. "Oh
1 do. really I do, Mr.. Bonistelle! How
can I help you? Tell mel"
Well, what am going to do If Mrs
Royalton refuses me. By jove! Just
think Of its being in that woman's
power TO cost me four and half mil
Lonsl It's outrageous"
Don't you let her, Mr.. Bonistelle!
FIodie broke out eagerly. "Oh. it isn't
right. Surely there's some other way
a better way than that. Mr.. Boni
stellei"
a better way? What d'you mean?'
Hall looked az her, puzzled
FIodie screwed up her courage, and
reached gently for his hand. But, no
she didn't quite dare take 1t. Hell