Middletown transcript., 1915-09-18


git a good man If you got me, miss,
If do say It'll"
THANK you kindly" said Flodie,
but don't really know wnat in the
world I'd do with you If got you"
Jonas stared at her as If she were
raving. you don't know what you're
talkin' aboutI Don't you realize If you
marry me you'll get four million dol
lars? Lord, any other gal would just
jump at the chance to have the
spendin' o. that money"
Let 'em Jump!" said Flodie. That's
my advice, Mr.. Hassingbury; you take
good jumper. And l want to give
you tip" She went up to him and
took him confdentially by the lapel Of
his coat. There will be three women
here tonight, and all of 'em can jump
like grasshoppers. Once they find out
you have money, and they'll jump at
the chance, you see! They'll jump all
over you!"
Before the astonished Jonas could
reply, Alfred opened the door to lady
gorgeously arrayed in blue. Flodie
gave one look at her, then whispered:
There's the first one of 'em now!
Miss Gale" Then she stepped for
ward, shifting frangipani scornfully,
and welcomed Rosamund.
An elaborate, painstaking picture Of
feminine frippery was Rosamund Gale.
She came in as If making a stage en-
trance. Something was to happen to-
night. Rosamund was on the war
path.
She barely acknowledged Flodie's
greeting, or Jonas presence, but cast
hasty anxious glance about; then,
seeing no women, seemed to breathe
freer. where's Hall?" she asked al
most Immediately.
"Oh, somewhere about. In with the
musicians probably" Flodie turned to
Jonas. "Mr. Hassingbury, Miss Gale!"
Jonas bent over her. why. now,
they's lot O. Gales down to Branford,
where live. wonder If you"
Tell Hall to hurry please!" cried
Rosamund to Flodie. Flodie started
off, smiling, but Rosamund caught at
her arm and held her. wait a min
ute, though! Miss Fisher, listen!
Has anything-anything important
happened?"
What d'you meanT
"Oh, mean-well, nothing exciting,
has it?"
Flodie reflected. "Why, I'm afraid
Alfred has spilled some salad on his
new dress suit, Miss Gale, If that's
what you mean"
Rosamund did not condescend to an
swer. She left haughtily and passed
hurriedly into the dressing room and
divested herself of her wraps. Jonas
had but time to remark to Flodie, 80
she's one of 'em, is she? Pretty gal,
by jiminy!" when she was out again,
and without noticing them, had gone
to the door Of the reception room, and
looked in, scowling.
Here, the rugs we're all up and the
floor waxed for dancing. Three mu-
sicians were scraping and tuning their
instruments. Hall Bonistelle was in a
corner, arranging a vase of flowers.
Rosamund dRrted in and swan up to
him. No scowl now; she was a differ
ent creature, smiling, radiant, angelic,
sailing on an air of gladness. She
seized Halls hand excitedly.
"Oh, Hail." she exclaimed dramatic
ally, mas perfectly delighted! It's
all right, and you needn't worry a
moment longer! Aren't you glad? p
She hung on him fondly as If she ex-
pected him to embrace her.
Hall had turned white. Rosamund's
beauty had instantly disarmed him.
! He could no more have said the brutal
things he had contemplated than he
could have struck child. Weakly, he
procrastinated, fumbling her hand.
'Really?" he managed to say. "Jove!
That's fine!"
well, why don't you kiss me, Hall ?"
Rosamund's eyes were on the door,
watching anxiously for interruptions.
Flodie gazed in.
Hall looked over his shoulder, en-
barrassed. "Oh, these musicians-I
don't want them to-say, wait till we
can be alone!"
She stared at him in annoyed sur
prise, then gave another irritated
glance at the door. The sound of
women's voices goaded her on. Mon
sense! Why, l intend to announce
our engagement Immediately"
Terror-stricken, Hall exclaimed.
"Oh, no, that won't do at all. Rosa.
mund, really. Well have to wait a lit
tie while-not tonight. anyway"
why, that's half the fun of being
engaged-talking about it," Then,
after another quick look toward the
office, she gazed up at him and pressed
his hand. I'VE are engaged, aren't me,
Hall?"
"Oh, yes-certaInly! Only"
Rosamund had an instant of triumph
and relief. 1t was all right, then. She
tossed her head as If in secret revolt:
she would have her own way, see If
she didn't! WELL" she said coldly.
''Tll wait while, If you insist. Only,
l should think you might look happier
about it. You act so funnyl"
He was saved from having to reply
by Jonas Hassingbury. who, glimpsing
the encounter, and impelled by Flodie,
had plunged boldly forward to the res
cue.
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