The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1915-10-01
CHAPTER xIIl-continued.

CO-tu6y IL uO tOr your puA POo0
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, don't
care!" She paused on the threshold.
'I'll send her in. She'll make you q
good wife-she's had a lot more ex-
perience than 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 moment after Flodie left, until,
turning suddenly, he all but ran into
her. Rena, beaming, effusive. held out
both her hands, caught his and laid
her dark head against his shoulder.
ION, HALT" she breathed.
Hall tried unnecessarily to free
himself. Whats the matter now?"
he asked.
She looked fondly up into his face.
"Oh, Hall, didn't you understand what
said over the phone2a
A sudden thought came to him, a
desperate expedient. Any stick to beat
q dog with; any excuse. however RI
diculous, would do for a quarrel with
this clinging sickening female. He
must get rid of her. So, quick as q
flash, he took up her words and
plunged into a histrionic rage.
''Oh, understand 1t right enough.
That's the trouble, understand it too
well. Well. you've put me out Of my
misery, all right. Thank God, you did
1t while there was time for me to es-
cape worse!"
aBut don't mean that, Hall, real
ly-"
No, you mean you only wanted to
iure me on-get me to propose, and
then throw me down! know! All a
woman cares for is to fool some man
any man will do, suppose. so long
as her vanity is satisfied, and she can
have his scalp to wear at her belt!
Isn't 1t shameful what a woman will
do, just for the moments cruel pleas
ure? You have no sympathy. no ten
derness, no heart-youre nothing but
mass of insane female conceit, that's
what you are! Thank God found it
out in time. | sayI Oh, did think /
loved you, Rena, admit; but Twas a
fool to believe in you. Now, It's all
over!"
He stood before her, shaking his fin
ger savagely. tits all over, and I'm
glad of it! I'm well rid of you. Rena
Royalton. and it will teach me les
son I'd just like to tell you what /
think of you, but you're my guest in
my house, and unfortunately I'm a
gentleman, and so can't do 1t. But
there's one thing can say, and that's
Good EVENING" Mrs. Royalton, and
you'll have to excuse me. for have
my guests to attend to!"
Almost winded with this extrava.
CANT fury, he turned to make his exit
as speedily as possible, but she was
too quick for him. Selling his arm,
she looked him straight in the face.
her eyes filled with tears.
why, Hall Bonistelle!" she ex-
claimed You're crazy Why, I'm go
ing to accept you'll"
He dropped like log upon chair,
in amazement. She had demolished
his whole towering pose at a word
For a moment he was unable to speak
Then she looked at him very archly
Hail." she said. don't you think Pm
prettier than usual tonight? Or do ]
imagine it because I'm SO awfully
happy?"
The question pricked him into life
He looked at her coldly, and in des.
peration made another attempt to goad
her into anger.
by jove, didn't think woman
could-well, a, woman will do any
thing to get what she wants, then,
won't she? She'll pay any price. and
suffer any indignity! Good Lord
haven't you any pride, Rena. for
heavens sake? Haven't you any sense
of shame? Tell me; is there anything
you wouldn't do for money, Rena Roy
alton? Let's have it,"
why, Hall, dear!" she replied, with
big innocent eyes, Il don't know what
in the world you're talking about; but
I'll tell you one thing that wouldn't
dol wouldn't give you up for all the
money, in the world!"
We'll, can you beat it," he gasped
addressing a Spanish chair.
"Ah, Hail." she continued. when ]
once consent, go fast Really, Ia
like tn be married to you this very
night. II you only had marriage Ii
cense.p
"a what?" he cried. thunderstruck.
"A marriage license. you know. OF
course that's always necessary be
fore"
by jimmy Christmas!" he thun
dered. staring in front of him. Rens
was forgotten, everything was forgot
ten except that, through his stupidity
all. now, was lost. A marriage Ii
censei Not once had it occurred tC
hfrn--fho wholo Siihitn.a eoruadv haf