The Spectator., 1915-12-10
|! already? I was so busy l didn't hear

know I've got to have it repaired. I'll l get it now" He turned to the ladies with new enthusiasm. I'm awfully sorry I'm in such hurry, but I've got lot to do this afternoon"
 Flodie appeared nervous. Miss Gale is waiting for me to do her | proofs, you know" she said. I've fin 1 ished the others, MT. Bonistelle. think the ladies will excuse you; can attend to them, all right" She walked slowly back to the stockroom, giving him a meaning glance as she left. "Oh, yes, don't wait, MT. Bonistelle, " said Mrs. Royalton.
 Well, I'll have to go then, I sup pose. Make yourselves quite at homs, left impatiently.
 Carolyn thought a moment. Say. we've got so much to talk over, we cant discuss it here. Hall may be back any moment I'll tell you. Wait a moment!" She walked up to the Fisher!" she called Flodie appeared, wondering what she could be wanted for.
 T say, Miss Fisher, couldn't we go into the reception room for a while We've get some things to talk over About the party tonight, you know"
 Why certainly" was Flodie's reply. The studios being decorated but the reception room is all ready, and no- body will disturb you. Go right in"
 Come on!" said Carolyn, turning to the other ladies. We'll have it out right now. and decide on every thing" She led the way in.
 Hardly had they disappeared when Flodie emerged again. She took a step toward the door they had left ajar, and listened. Then she sat down at her desk, smiling.
 50 far so good!" she thought. Her scheme had worked perfectly. It was not for nothing that Flodie had watched women, laughed at them, an- alyzed them and filed them away in her mind. But now, what? Was she any nearer to getting Hall for herself? | Dubiously she considered her pros | poets. She was as intensely concen- trated on the effort as the tiger wait ing to leap on her prey. All to be seen of it. however, was little, quaint, gray-eyed girl, pathetically bending 1 over her accounts.
 It was not many minutes before Hall came in, thoughtfully winding a gold watch. He looked about. surprised
 Where are they? Gone?"
 "Oh mo-" said Flodie Tn there!" She nodded toward the reception room
 Hall walked toward the door and looked in. Flodie watched him sharp ly. Say" he said finally. turning to her, there are three mighty nice girls, did you know it?"
 "Hm." mumbled Flodie.
 They're all so sweet-by love. I hardly know which one like best!" he went on. They're charming; don't you think so?"
 Flodie was very busy writing In a little book. Yes" she said without looking up.
 No. but really. Flo!'
 "Oh. yes; really" By love. I hardly know which one l do like best!" Hall peeped into the reception room again curiously, through narrow slit in the doorway.
 Well. you can't marry them all. can you?" Flodie looked up now, biting the end of her penholder viciously.
 No, that's the deuce of 1t. I almost wish I could"
 MT. Bonistelle!"
 Well, then, I've got to jilt two of them. I wonder which one will be the lucky girl! Of course 1t all de- bends upon what they say to me to- night"
 He stopped suddenly and turned to Flodie. Say, what are they talking about in there, anyway"
 "Oh, don't know, Clothes, I guess" Flodie held her breath.
 By jove!" His face changed swift ly "Oh. pshaw. though. pice girls don't go about telling their love af- fairs. do they? What the deuce are you laughing at?"
 "Oh. mol" said Flodie Nice girls never get as intimate as that On all subjects that concern the heart, MT. Bonistelle, women are invariably as silent as the gravel" He looked hard at her. That's evidently sarcasm. Say, I'm worried!" He walked anxiously back to the door and looked in again. By love-" he exclaimed, this is getting on my nerves. Lord. if they should find out! See here. what were they talking about while they were in here wait. ing? D'you know?"
 She looked up ingenuously. and re. piled. "Oh, I was in the stockroom, printing proofs. They were all alone here in the office." Well, l wish to goodness you had listened. I'd hate to lose four mil lions of dollars on account of them |