The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1915-09-10
CHAPTER x-continued.

CHAPTER x-continued.
He went up to her, but she darted
away like a cat. "Oh, no! Mr.. Boni-
stelle! Don't!" she protested.
He stopped in amazement. why
not? What's the matter?"
"Oh, you've proposed to three WON
en- today!" she lamented pitifully. She
sat down and looked at him with a
haggard face.
well. what If / did? They didn't
accept me, did they? Haven't right
to ask somebody else, under the cir
cumstances-with SO much at stake?
Why, they may all refuse me, even
now; I'm not at all certain! can't
risk fortune on their whims, blow
ing hot and blowing cold! D'you think
intend to stand for this T-will-and-I-
won't business? Not much! Pm glad
they did put me of. now. It's the
luckiest thing in the world! 1t gives
me good excuse to take you. Why,
! was so ratified, Flodie, it never oc-
CURED to me could marry you.''
Flodie rose; her hazel eyes snapped.
"Oh, didn't it? Well, then, Mr.. Boni-
STEELE, evidently there are several
other things that didn't occur to you!
Do you think you can treat me this
way and expect me to stand for it?"
What way? Lord, haven't asked
you to marry me, Flo?" He stared at
her in surprise.
mo, you haven't asked me! No.
you've insulted me! All you've done
is to announce coolly that you have
decided to marry me!' Flodie,
aroused, fairly stormed now.
"Oh, pshaw-I thought you under
stood, Flo. OF course I'll ask you. IL
you want the conventional, orthodox
proposal" He smiled Extraordinarily at
her whim, as at pouting child, then
dropped gracefully upon one knee.
'sWill you marry me. Flodie?''
There was a new note in Flodie,s
voice. mol" she cried harshly. get
up, Mr.. Bonistelle! I'm afraid you've
made a mistake. You've forgotten
who am, haven't you? Why, I'm only
the girl with the funny facet I'm Just
q queer little tyke,' who is always
happy!' Ha! Ha! Ha! Why don't
you laugh? ! thought l always made
you smile? Just Jolly good pail
that's all l am! Didn't you say SO
yourself?"
But, Flodie!" Hall approached her
piacatingly, amazed at her outburst.
She pushed him away. mo, sir!
Not much! I'm not so anxious to be
lady of leisure as all that, Mr.. Boni-
stelle! What! Marry you, with all
the love left out? No, sir! l should
say not!"
But, Flodiei" Hall could scarcely
believe his ears. "Confound it, what's
got into you? Why, hang it all, had
no idea you felt like that" He stared
at her.
She made queer, whimsical face
at herself or Hall, who knows ?-and
went on.
mo, I'm only little Flodie, the Egg
Roiler And you're so used to me,
that when you do want to get married,
you propose to one, two, three women
before you give me thought l only
come in as last resort-Flodie, the
Forlorn Hope! Mr.. Bonistelle, do you
think I'm the sort of girl to marry
like, that?"
Flodie, transformed by this long
pent-up rage, was new and splendid
creature; her eyes shot sparks, the
color famed upon her cheeks.
Hall, dumfounded, stared at her,
speechless. If baby had suddenly
attacked him he could not have been
more amazed. He didn't know her in
this aspect; she took his breath away
like a strong wind. His impulse was
TO defend himself, resist, but he was
overcome by her emotion. He struck
out any way-blindly, like swimmer
in rapids; he tried to placate her.
But. Flodie-dear! l know-but |
want you'll"
"Oh, yes, know you want me-and
why? So that you can win four mil
lions of dollars. That's all you want.
You'll have to get married, so you'd
better take me! make you Taught
oh, it's as simple as daylight, is it?
Well, I'm not so simple as look.
When ! marry man. Hall BonisteIle.