The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1915-07-16
CHAPTER IV-continued.

Hall had gone into a momentary
reverie In that day-dream he had al
ready lived three years with CAROLYN.
travelled abroad, even to Constantine
pie. had seen her entertain grand
dukes on his yacht, had fought two or
three duels with offensive Italian Of
ficers on her account. They had rid
den horseback up California canyons.
Just now they were back in New York.
There was even little Hall Boni-
stelle-
Here! Wake up!"
He was suddenly jerked back into
the present, with Carolyn now seated
on a couch, impatiently staring at him.
He smiled seif-consciously.
What's the matter with you, Hall?'
she asked, looking at him queerly.
You haven't got hangover or any
thing, have you? l didn't think you
doped."
He laughed nervously. 81 suppose
you fascinate me, Carolyn"
She gave whoop of joy. me,
uncle?" She pointed inquiringly at
her breast. Say, Hall, old chap, pass
the molasses. We women just eat it
. up, you know! Makes us fat. l need
lot of it, Exit headache!"
This was hopeless for Hall. He
" must get serious, or there would be no
& managing a proposal. Or, perhaps
her manner gave him the cue
4 wouldn't she be more amenable to a
humorous offer? TRY IT," said his
4 intuition. He walked up to her.
Carolyn, see here, how would you
4 like it if you thought I'd lain awake all
last night thinking about you-yes,
. and the night before, and all last
q week."
Fine! l feel better already. Too
q good to be true, though. Did you, real
ly?" She rumpled his hair affection
ately
Il certainly did. The fact is, Caro-
Ign, I'm pretty desperate about you"
Carolyn winked Easy now-easy!"
she said calmly.
That's right though! I've got a
case of Carolyn Dallys good and
plenty. It's begun to hurt, girl; d'you
know it,"
Carolyn rose, yawning. ooh, we'll. if
you're going to be silly, Hall, l think
I'd better be going. How about these
proofs, anyway"
Proofs be darned! You're not 60
ing-not till settle this thing. Shall
bare my breast and let you give it
the stroke, smiling? Or do you prefer
to administer an opiate?"
He dropped the mock-heroic pose
and took up the blunt-sincere. He
walked over to her and took her hand.
She had no objections whatever, ap-
parently Carolyn. it's an honest fact,
want you!"
Mr.. Bonistelle, am l really to un-
Qerstand that you are proposing to
me? Carolyn smilingly looked him in
he eye.
oh, suppose you think it's joke,
ust because l don't speak in blank
Verse"
Well, I'll be darned! l believe the
pans serious!"
she said nothing for moment, mar
owing her eyes and looking at him
I'm the same amused tolerant express
on Then she spoke: well, Hall.
strikes me you must be pretty sure
me to do 1t in two-step, like this.
hy, usually they crawl all over the
arpet."
hall interrupted her: "Oh. don't
arolyn! Please DON'T"
Carolyn's face changed. You don't
ctually mean 1t. honey?" she asked
Alously, putting hand on his arm.
Mean it! Why, Carolyn, of course
mean it! It's,no use, can't make
theatrical. You have sense of
pmor; so have !. Perhaps girl
ght to be entitled to little fire.
prks on such an occasion--or even
etry-I'll try it il you insist. you
ow--but, somehow. can't take my
y so seriously" She withdrew her
nd frowning. "Oh. that doesn't
pan that don't take you seriously.
rolyn, or rather that don't want to
mean-confound it. I'm not con-
cd enough to convince myself that
even little bit worth your WHILE"
Well, then, try to convince me. why
pit your"
mats what I'm trying to do. girl!
rd' Carolyn, there's no use in your
believing; you must believe it!
nt you something fierce. really do!
ant you the way little kid wants
cream-the way a girl wants q new
ster hat"
Heavens, is 1t really as bad as
!" She turhed away "Ob, Hall.
ny, you know. you're too isdicu-
ph. I'm the clown with the dying