The Spectator., 1915-10-22
CHAPTER ".

There, standing between the DOT
 tieres. was a young woman looking in. | unembarrassedly, with careless | smile on her face. She was the sort of
 girl who affects extremes in style, and | fits to her slimness the sportiest odd | hats, the straightest, narrowest, short est skirts. But they we'll became her; | there was not unpleasant masculine | note in her air and costume-a brisk | ness and confidence that spoke of golf | and tennis, horse or boats. Without
 being too pretty, she had finely cut, sharp features. a long nose, gray eyes, | delft chin. She was most distinctly New York type, trim as a cutter, | clean and fresh as hound. If Mrs. Royalton had been willowy-languor- | and cool newcomer was as easily care less as boy. She waited. with an | arch, somewhat amused expression, for an invitation to enter.
 "Oh-Miss Dallys. Good morning." Hall called out and walked toward her. Say, would you mind waiting just a minute?'
 "Sure," said Carolyn Dallys. She waved her hand jauntily. and retreated to the office.
 Hall returned to F1odie and stared at her dramatically. Flodie trembled. Finally he pounded the table with one stroke of his fist. By jove!" He nodded emphatically.
 Oh, Mir. Bonistelle-you don't mean - Flodie looked unspeakable things. He pointed to the door to the office, There's the girl. right in there! Caro- lyn Dallys! Why didn't we think of her before?"
 Flodie winced as if he had struck her in the face. Then she burst forth | like waterfall. "Oh, no, no! Let me tell you, Mir. Bonistelle! She's too mannish. MT. Bonistelle, Miss Dallys is-you want a feminine woman, MT. Bonistelle-you know-one who can care for you and look after you. and see that you get up and keep your ap- pointments and-oh. dear-can't you see-?" She looked at him. saw he was not listening, made another effort, more hysterical, in sheer despair. "Oh, MT. Bonistelle. why. Miss Dallys cares more for dogs and automobiles than she does for you. Mir Bonistelle-Mr. Bonistelle--" Flodie took him by the coat lapel impressively. She smokes cigarettes!"
 lpnUhnH oh nA hnr the chin. "Oh. that's all right! Lord, Flodie. l don't want to marry house keeper, you know. Why. I'll be a mil. lionaire. I'll have servants to do all that. My wife will have to know thing or two. you know, society. and manners and taste. Carolyn is right in it. College education. music and everything l need-drives car. plays olo-bridge-swims and shoots-why, Lord I'd be proud to death of her. You go right in and tell her I'm ready" Again Flodie fiinched. She gave him one hungry look and started for the of. fee. Then a new thought stabbed her She turned What if Mrs. Royalton should say yes? What if she shoud?" Hall suddenly came 10 his senses. Say. by jove! That would be a mix up, wouldn't it! l hadn't thought of that at all" He dropped down on a chair and looked at her hopelessly. Did Flodie see. at the prospect of such an entanglement, faint hope for her own chances? Her face, for mo- ment. lighted. It was anyone. now. to beat Mrs. Royalton. Flodie foresaw that Carolyn Dallys alone could help her Yes. he must propose to Carolyn. Her voice came artfully smooth and sweet.
 You could hatch up quarrel, couldn't you-perhaps you could tell her something horrid--or do some thing--well. you know!"
 "Or you could. Couldn't you, Flo die? You've helped me out before You're clever. You know women"
 Flodie was new creature now. The primitive woman in her was aroused She smiled--but 1t was so unlike Flo. dies sunny smile--it was electric. She nodded sagely.
 wen, thch, II tohc o SuduSe, any way. Lord. think I've got right to make as good a choice as l can. if l have to be married to order! I don't see why should ruin my whole life just because l happened to see Mrs. Royalton first! You tell Carolyn I'm all ready"
 Flodie nodded. with hard look in her eyes. "All right" she said slowly.
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