The midland journal., 1915-09-03

i
money? What chance had poor neg
lected Flodie, who hadn't even been
asked? She dried her eyes and looked
up at the clock. 1t was three-fifteen.
AS she watched the dial, her face
changed subtly. Dropping her eyes she
began to think in real earnest. Her
time was short. If she were to play
Cinderella at the party tonight, it be-
/ hooyed her to find fairy godmother
as soon as possible. Wouldn't that
have to be Hall-who else?
She dabbed her eyes in water, then
went to the door of the studio.
"Oh, Mr.. Bonistelle!" she called.
He came in looking anxious. Lord,
I've been worrying myself sick!" he
confessed. "What in the world were
they up to. anyway
"Oh, they seemed to be talking about
some club, or society, or something
that they were interested in. They
wanted Rosamund Gale to join, /
| think"
We'll, I'm glad 1t was no worse than
that" He looked at his watch. Lord
must be off, I've got to hook this
timepiece and pay an installment on
| the ring. don't care much for rings
on woman's hand, especially if it's
pretty. Now yours, Flodie, is perfect"
She tried to hide her hands, but he
took them. and held them up and
looked critically. Flodie closed her
! eyes, that the tears might not come
out.
Say, Flo-I s'pose I'll miss you like
the devil after I'm married." he went
on, dropping her hands. "I've got kind
of used to you. you know. It'll seem
funny not to have you round to talk
to and laugh at. What's the matter?
You don't really mind my laughing at
you occasionally, do you. Flo?"
"Oh. no. love 1t. Mr.. Bonistellel"
Say, Flo, remember that first time
you ever came in here? D'you know
liked you the moment I set eyes on
YOU"
Flodie cast down her head. $50 did
you," she said.
1T always makes me smile. just to
look at you, somehow. You're such a
queer little tyke. Always happy, aren't
you, F'lo?"
She looked up brave1y. "Oh, yes!"
The telephone bell rang. Hall
snatched up the receiver savagely.
Hello! Who is this? -. Oh, yes!
OF course i. Oh! You will? BY jove,
that's great! s. Why, yes, I'm de-
lighted i. But am, Rosamund, why
why, I'm the happiest man in the
world! You've no idea what a relief
it is -. Sure! That's just what was
going to suggest. Yes. we'll do it to-
night. Fine! All right. we'll talk it
over when you come. Good-by, dear!"
He hung up the instrument slowly.
"Rosamund's accepted me- Flodie, I'll
be millionaire by tonight What d'you
think, she's promised to marry me i'm
mediately; we'll have it over this eve
ming"
He arose thoughtfully. "Well, I
guess that's settled, then. Rosamund's
! it,"
Flodie, Unable to control herself, had
ri&n and was making for the stock
room, when he called her back. "Say,
Flo, wait a minute" He went up to
her kindly. Perhaps after I'm mar
ried we can arrange it somehow"
ooh, no, Mr.. Bonistelle," Flodie
shook her head decidedly. 81 shall go
over to Deerfield. You know he's
wanted me to come for months"
He turned to her suddenly. On
it, Flo, / don't want you to go to Deer
field! He's beast! can't bear to
think of his ordering you round"
"Oh. that doesn't matter, now. The
only thing I'm afraid of, Mr. Bonistelle
well, never mind"
"What?"
"Oh, well, nothing; only-Tm so
afraid that when you get your money
you won't ever do anything more.
You're so lazy you need to be poked
all the time. Do you think Mrs. Royal
ton. or Carolyn Dallys, or Rosamund
will care snap for your art, or for
your talent. or anything but your
money!"
He went over to her and patted her
on the back affectionately Say, Flo,
believe you do like me, after all.
Don't you worry, little girl, I'll pull
through all right. You see. when Rosa
mund is my wife" Again the tele-
phone bell rang.
"Hello!" he shouted. and then again,
more gently, "Oh, hello! Oh, yes,
the phone was busy: someone just
rang me up 2. too bad. Oh, nothing
important . ;. What is it? Yes?
+. What, not really? /. Why, Pm
tickled to death. Carolyn. of course
but-well, why-why. don't you see,
it's so sudden, you know. and-well
hadn't expected to hear from you so
soon You see had no idea-what is
it? :. oh, don't say that, please! :.
I'm perfectly delighted-it takes my