The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1915-07-02


What's the matter, child2 Been
crying. haven't you? What in the
world does young girl like YOU have
to trouble your"
''Oh, waiting on customers, for one
thing!s Flodie tossed her head like a
| filly.
Mrs. Royalton didn't, apparently,
get the sarcasm. Well, you don't
seem to wait on them very much!
Isn't Mr.. Bonistelle ready for me YETI"
Flodie started to reply, then changed
her mind 81 don't know" she said,
"I'll see."
Hall was blinking from the dark
room. loaded plate-holders in hand.
ooh, Mr.. Bonistelle," Flodie whis-
pered despairingly, you aren't going
to propose to her, are you? Oh. don't,
don't, please, Mr. Bonistelle!"
well, what's the matter now? ]
thought you wanted me to-
"Oh. but don't now!"
"Flodie! You're crazy! Don't you
worry! TIN be happy day for you,
little girl, when I'm married! I'll see
that you get better job than this!
Say. where's that other plate-holder?'
"Over on that shelf Oh. Mr.. Boni-
stelle, you'll be awfully unhappy!
know you Wilt"
He stopped impatiently
Unhappy! With four millions,
Flodie? With a private yacht-a
/ r...u&~,, hns.ao - .,sIJc ~ T%o1xr nov.
haps- automobiles valet-by jove,
guess mott"
Her face was absurdly distorted
with pain and anxiety. Her fists were
clenched. She summoned her courage
for the last despairing stroke. "oh, she
paints, Mr.. Bonistelle! She paints
her face like a clown! You wouldn't
Hall laughed aloud. For heavens
sake. Is that what's troubling you?
Now, suppose she's the only woman
who does 1t in all New York! Well.
put your mind at rest. F1odie; I'll
promise to reform her after we're mar
ried. Tell her to come in.
Mrs. Royalton wandered into the
studio She began, as usual, with a
shipper and smile. Il don't know
that ought to shake hands with you.
Mr.. Bonistelle! You're bad, bad
boy! Why haven't you been to see
me. all this long while?" She filed
the place with her dulcet personality.
Hall inspected her sagely, as one In
spects a valuable object he is expect
ing to purchase, seeing her, as 1t
we're, for the first time. His first re-
mark lacked conviction "0h, I've
been busy Renal" That 'Rena''
barely saved it. e
BUSY! Oh, you're always too busy
for poor little me! I'm sure youll
take horrid picture of me and did
so want to get good one today!"
Mrs. Royalton ratified on, taking on
her veil and inspecting her hair in
the cheval glass. She twitted him on
his impoliteness. she made her big
eyes bigger. She did the spoiled child
kittenishly.
Hall still seemed distract He broke
away nervously and went to work. It
was his custom to engage his object
in conversation, permitting her to
change position, talk, drink tea, fiirt,
or gesture as she would, while she was
unaware, and before she began to
wonder why he did not begin, to have
managed the exposure of some dozen
plates, from one or two Of which he
was pretty sure to achieve triumph
of art and naturalness.
But, at the mercy of his obsession,
this method was impossible today.
Hall was too busy making up his mind.
and could not do two things at once.
You're not paying bit of attention
to me-" she pouted. Mrs. Royalton,
babyish, was a picture for a cynic.
But Hall was too engrossed in his
own thoughts. He caught her with
an untitled finger. cried "There!" and
slipped in plate 1.-The fact is. am
bit worried today" he confessed.
Just look a bit over that way. That's
right! Fine!" He deity pressed the
bulb.
She went up to him and patted his
arm. "Oh. you poor dear man! Oh.
wish could help him out!"
ooh. no, I'm afraid you can't help
me-" he said irritably. Il wish to
heaven you could. Now look up." he
commanded. Then he Owed under the
focusing cloth. and emerged to say,
ITS partly you that I'm worrying
about, though. Rena."
about me? Mol" Mrs. Royalton
was delighted
yes, am. really" He went up to
her and adjusted her iabot.
Her eyes went on at him like a
double-barreled shotgun in an explo-
sion of coquetry. 81 suppose you tell
that to every woman you know!"
He was in for 1t. now. Nonsense,
It's true. Rena."
She opened her eyes still wider.
What in the world do you mean ?"
She was hungry for more.
cot onnfhov. v.fofnRrss