The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1915-10-14
cHAPrEn ".

| It was two o'clock in the afternoon
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-and not to
herl Married to whomf All, that
was the worst OF II. 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. Bonistclle? Or. worst of all,
would the wedding ring be worn by
Rosamund Gale? Flodie didn't know,
Hall didn't know. Even Rosanund
didn't know herself. Hence F1odie'r
tears, wet md heavy. splashing, trick
ling, soaking the dark blue blotter of
Flodie's desk.
At two-ten sundry sounds, translat-
, ed by Flodie's intimate knowledge OF
Hall Bonistslle's ways, Indicated his
approach. She sat hastily down At the
typewriter and began to print on this
interesting message:
Quiz Jack; thy frowns vex @. ID.
Plumb"
Interesting mainly because, . con-
coction of Flodie's debutante days at
the typewriter, it contained every
known letter of the alphabet. Now it
served to focus her mind on her nm
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. Flol" he an
nounced, and tapped with his stick on
the moor 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. l don't feel much like work
today. but I've finished Mrs. ROYAL
tons plates, Carry Dallys', too: some
Of her poses are not half bad. She's
almost pretty. did you know itf 1
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
MIN again with heartbroken look.
oh, Mr.. Bonistellel Have you-rsally
made up your mind that She"
Flodie couldn't finish. She choked.
Hall laughed. Lord, made up my
mind! What good would that dot It's
up to them. now. Well. I'm on the
way to buy the ring-and l ought to
get suit OF clothes to 90 away In
haven't anything at all to wear"
Flodis bit her lip hard. "Oh, Mr..
bonistellei-" was she going to break
down. after all! In despair, her nm
gers new to the keys of her machine.
tny frowns vex @. d. Plumb. Quiz
Jack"
He tapped her playfuIly with the
UP OF his stick. We'll. I'm on. Flo.
see you tonight. Be here earlyi"
Fiodie turned wretchsd face to
him. Her eyes were wet.
But don't know how you want
the rooms decorated. Mr.. Bonistellei"
oh. I don't care-use your own
taste. It'll be all right. You can do
1t. So long. Flo!" And he was on.
flodis 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 u face at herself and re-
turned listlessly to work.
But mental occupation was impos-
sibie; Flodis had too much ON her
mind already. Manual exercise wa
what she needed to keep her from
giving up to her miserx. There were the
freshly developed plates-shs went
into the dark room to get them.
Taking the rack full of glass mara
uves. she emerged and walked into
the ONCE Busy with melancholy
thoughts OF Hall Bonistelie. = shock
awaited her. There was . stranger
In the room.