Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1915-07-22
CHAPTER ~.

There, standing between the por-
there's, was young woman looking in,
unembarrassedly, with a careless
smile on her face. She was the sort of
girl who affects extremes in style, and
fits to her slimness the sportiest odd
hats, the straightest, narrowest, short
est skirts. But they well became her;
there was a not unpleasant masculine
note in her air and costume brisk
ness and confidence that spoke Of golf
and tennis, horse or boats. Without
being too pretty, she had finely cut,
sharp features, a long nose, gray eyes,
a def chin She was most distinctly
New York type, trim as a cutter,
clean and fresh as a hound. If Mrs.
ROyaltOn had been Willowy-languOr-
GUS, sUpersentimentaI, suave, the crisp
and cool newcomer was as easily care
less as a boy She waited, with an
arch, somewhat amused expression,
for an invitation to enter.
"Oh-Miss DaIIys! Good morning."
Hall called out and walked toward
her. Say, would you mind waiting
just a minute?"
"Sure!" said Carolyn Dallys. She
waved her hand jauntily, and retreated
to the Office.
Hall returned to F1odie and stared
at her dramatically. Flodie trembled.
Finally he pounded the table with one
stroke Of his fist. "By tove!" He
nodded emphaticaIIy.
'Oh, Mr.. Bonistelle-you don't mean
-" Flodie looked unspeakable things.
He pointed to the door to the office,
There's the girl, right in there! Caro-
Ign Dallys Why didn't we think of
her befOre?"
F'lodie WINGED as if he had struck
her in the face. Then she burst forth
like waterfall. ooh, no, no! Let me
tell you, Mr. BonisteIle! She's too
mannish, Mr.. BonisteIle, Miss DalIys
is-yOu want a feminine woman, Mr..
BOnistelle-you know-one who can
care for you and look after you, and
see that you get up and keep your APP
pOintments and-oh, dear-cant you
seq" She looked at him, saw he
was not listening, made another effort,
more hysterical, in sheer despair ooh,
Mr. BOnistelle, why, Miss Dallys cares
more for dogs and automobiles than
she does for you, Mr.. Bonistelle-Mr.
Bonistelle-" Flodie took him by the
coat lapel impressiveIy. "She smokes
cigarettes!"
Hall laughed and chucked her under
the chin. "Oh, that's all right! Lord,
FlOdie, don't want to marry a house
keeper, you know. Why, I'll be mil
lionaire. I'll have servants to do all
that. My wife will have to know a
thing or two, you know, society, and
manners and taste. Carolyn is right
in it. College education, music and
everything I need-drives a car, plays
polo-bridge-swims and shoots-why,
Lord, I'd be proud to death of her. You
go right in and tell her I'm ready"
Again FIodie f1inched. She gave him
one hungry look and started for the Of
fee. Then new thought stabbed her
She turned. What if Mrs. Royalton
should say yes? What if she should p"
Hall suddenly came to his senses.
Say, by jove! That would be a mix
up, wouldn't it! I hadn't thought Of
that at all" He dropped down on a
chair and looked at her hopelessly.
Did FIodie see, at the prospect of
such an ENHANCEMENT, faint hope for
her own chances? Her face, for a mo-
ment, lighted. 1t was anyone, now, to
beat Mrs. Royalton. Flodie foresaw
that Carolyn Dallys alone could help
her. Yes, he must propose to Carolyn.
Her voice came artfully smooth and
sweet.
You could hatch up a quarrel,
couldn't you-perhaps you could tell
her something horrid-or do some
thing-well, you know!"
"Or you could. Couldn't you, Flo
die? You've helped me out before.
You're clever. You know women"
Flodie was a new creature now. The
primitive woman in her was aroused.
She smiIed-but it was so unlike Flo
dies sunny smile-it was electric. She
nodded sagely.
Well, then, III take a chance, any
way. Lord, think I've got a right to
make as good a choice as can, if
have to be married to order. l don't
see why I should ruin my whole life
just because I happened to see Mrs.
Royalton first! You tell Carolyn I'm
all ready"
Flodie nodded, with a hard look in
her eyes. All right" she said slowly,
and gulped something down. IT'S your