The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1915-08-11

passed 1t to Mr.. Doremus Then sht
looked up, and caught Halls eye. HI
beckoned and she carelessly an
preached the studio.
AS she crossed the threshold Hal
caught her by the wrist and drew in
She looked up at him, a little fright
ened.
"Flodie," he exclaimed wildly, Flo.
die, | can't stand it any longer. Don't
keep it up any longer. dear! Say, yes,
can't you? Flodie, for Gods sake"
She looked him up and she looked
him down, and anger was in her eyes.
Il gave you my answer, Mr.. Bonistelle.
Didn't you understand me. this after.
noon?" She backed off, preparing to
leave.
He seized her again. "F1odie,
won't take no for an answer. | love
you too much!" He fumbled in his
pocket and drew out the ring Here.
take this, Flo; wear it, won't you?
And, as soon as l can get Mr.. Doremus
In here, I'll put another one on your
! finger that'll make us man and wife!"
| She took it, and tossed it across the
studio. 1t bounded along the floor.
mo, thanks, Mr. Bonistelle! You'll
have to excuse me, I'm busy"
but heavens, Flo, look at the clock!
It's nearly twelve! I have only fifteen
minutes more, Flo! Don't turn me
down! Oh, want you so, Flodie-
won't YOU"
Now she turned on him with scorn.
"Oh, that's why you're in such hurry,
is it? I thought So Take one of
those three women you have proposed
to-they'll do for your purpose
they'll help you out, any one of them.
You have only to say the word Whistle
and they'll come to you. There's Mrs.
Royalton, now! Marry her! You've
got ten minutes left-go ahead, I don't
care!' She paused on the threshold.
"I'll send her in. She'll make you a
good wife-she's had lot more ex-
perience than l have! Good luck!"
Hall, left alone, walked up and down
the studio angrily. He was so en-
crossed with his thoughts that he did
not see Mrs. Royalton, who had en- |
tered a moment after Flodie left, UNTIL |
turning suddenly, he all but ran into
her. Rena, beaming, ELUSIVE, held out |
both her hands, caught his and laid |
her dark head against his shoulder.
ooh, Hall" she breathed.
Hall tried unsuccessfully to free
himself. Whats the matter now?"
he asked.
She looked fondly up into his face.
ooh, Hall, didn't you understand what
l said over the phone?"
A sudden thought came to him,
desperate expedient Any stick to beat
a dog with; any excuse, however RI
diculous, would do for quarrel with
this clinging sickening female. He
must get rid of her. So, quick as
flash, he took up her words and
plunged into histrionic rage.
ooh, 1 understand it right enough.
That's the trouble, understand it too
we'll Well, you've put me out of my
misery, all right Thank God, you did
It while there was time for me to es-
cape worse!"
|
""
mo, you mean you only wanted to
ure me on-get me to propose, and
hen throw me down! l know! All
cares for is to fool some man
any man will do, 1 suppose, so long 4
Is her vanity is satisfied, and she can ,
lave his scalp to wear at her belt!
t. -.
10, Just for the moments cruel pleas
Ire? You have no sympathy, no ten
Ierness, no heart-you're nothing but
mass Of insane female conceit, that's
What you are! Thank God 1 found it !
ut in time, l say! Oh, l did think l
owed you, Rena, l admit; but was
DOL to believe in you. Now, It's all y
vert"
He stood before her, shaking his fin q
er savagely tits all over and I'm q
lad of it! I'm we'll rid Of you, Rena s
.oyalton, and it will teach me les d
on! I'd just like to tell you what I
mink of you, but you're my guest in b
ly house, and unfortunately I'm
entleman, and SO I can't do it. But
here's one thing can say, and that's IL
food EVENING"! Mrs. Royalton, and v
QUILL have to excuse me, for | have 81
" guests to attend tot" tt
Almost winded with this extrava- p
ant fury, he turned to make his exit p'
) speedily as possible, but she was
70 quick for him. Selling his arm, "'
le looked him straight in the face, e.
or eyes filled with tears.
why, Hall Bonistelle!" she ex- ly
aimed. You're crazy! Why, I'm 60 Iy
g to accept you'll"
He dropped like log upon chair, OIL
amazement. She had demolished
10 whole towering pose at word. OF
Or a moment he was unable to speak. fu
Then she looked at him very archiy.
HAIL." she said, don't you think I'm ar
ettier than usual tonight? Or do l wi
1agine 1t because I'm so awfully
lppy?" "H
The question pricked him into life. on
0 looked at her coldly, and in des- fr.
ration made another attempt to goad he
iv,<o