The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1915-07-16
CHAPTER ~.

There, standing between the por-
there's, was young woman looking in,
unembarrassedly, with 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-a 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 deft chin. She was most distinctly
a New York type, trim as cutter,
clean and fresh as hound. If Mrs.
Royalton had been willowy-languor-
Gus, supersentimental, suave, the crisp
and cool newcomer was as easily care
less as boy. She waited, with an
arch, somewhat amused expression,
for an invitation to enter.
"Oh-Miss Dallys Good morning!"
Hall called out and walked toward
her. Say, would you mind waiting
just 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 jove!" He
nodded emphatically.
ooh, 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-
lyn Dallys! Why didn't we think of
her before?"
Flodie WINGED as if he had struck
her in the face. Then she burst forth
like waterfall. "Oh, no, no! Let me
tell you, Mr.. Bonistelle! She's too
| mannish, Mr.. Bonistelle, Miss Dallys
| 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 ap-
| pointments and-oh, dear-can't 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-" F1odie took him by the
coat lapel impressively. "She smokes
cigarettes!"
Hall laughed and chucked her under
| the chin. "Oh, that's all right! Lord,
| Flodie, l don't want to marry 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 l need-drives car, plays
| olo-bridge-swiras and shoots-why,
Lord, I'd be proud to death of her. You
go right in and tell her I'm ready"
Again Flodie f1inched. She gave him
one hungry look and started for the Of
| flee. Then a new thought stabbed her.
She turned. What if Mrs. Royalton
should say yes? What if she should?"
/ Hall suddenly came to his senses.
Say, by jove! That would be mix
| up, wouldn't it! l hadn't thought of
| that at ALL" He dropped down on a
chair and looked at her hopelessly.
Did Flodie see, at the prospect of
| such an ENHANCEMENT, faint hope for
her own chances? Her face, for 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 artfuily 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"
Fledie was a new creature now. The
| primitive woman in her was aroused
| She smiled-but it was so unlike Flo
dies sunny smile-it was electric. She
nodded sagely.
well, then, I'll take a chance, any
| way. Lord, l think I've got a right to
make as good a choice as I can, If l
| have to be married to order! | don't
| see why | should ruin my whole life
lust because l happened to see Mrs.
Royalton first! You tell Carolyn I'm
all ready"
FIodie nodded. with hard look in
| her eyes. "Ail right" she said slowly,
and gulped something down. It's v"nr