Middletown transcript., 1915-09-25
CHAPTER xII-contInusd.

Inc party was now in full swing.
Some twenty were In the reception
room, dancing or watching the
dancers. The evening grew in life
and merriment. Mr. Doremus, back
from his interview with Flodie, was in
fected by the revels. He blossomed
suddenly and unexpectedly into hilar-
lty, and encouraged and stimulated by
the gayer of the young actresses, be-
came, in spite Of himself, the center of
the party. The company did not let
him of till Alfred Smallish, blushing
curiously, appeared in the doorway.
Supper is ready-I mean-er-sup-
per Is served!" he announced, and
coughed into his hand.
The three soubrettes who had been
pelting Mr.. Doremus with pinks, now
surrounded him, bound him with ever
green garlands and carried him off en-
slaved, through the Office, where Flo
die was presiding over tables of salad
and sandwiches, into the reception
room, where they enthroned him on an
old Spanish chair, and waited on him
like houris. The gentlemen rushed
back and forth with plates and nap
kins; everybody began to talk and
laugh. Beer bottles popped.
Hall was now becoming desperate.
1t did not seem at all so easy as he
had expected. II only Flodie hadn't
got her back up so foolishly! Well,
he must at least, be off with his old
loves before he was on with the new
And. for that, he must have the an
swers of the two women. He left the
company and walked into the studio
now deserted, to look at the clock.
Heavens! 1t was already half after
eleven. Something would have to hap
pen in hurry, if
Carolyn Dallys appeared in the door
way, smiling. She was wearing corn
color, in costume no man could have
described five minutes after he had
seen It. Carolyn's clothes were always
not only original but characteristic of
her.
She sauntered in, and dropped upon
the couch, to look up at him good-na-
turedly. Halls hopes rose 1t was CO.
ing to be easy, thank heaven. She
didn't at all have the smile of a pros
pective owner.
well, Hail." she began, you don't
seem particularly anxious to see your
blushing bride. l had almost begun
to think you were deliberately avoid
ing me-"
Avoiding you'll Nonsense, Caro-
lyn!" Hall laughed easily and tossed
her q box of cigarettes. Really, I've
been 80 confoundedly busy with all
these people. and"
She broke in placidly; well, you're
not busy now, are you?"
Hall began to be afraid. "Oh, no, Of
course not. Why?" He watched her
as If she were about to strike him.
We'll, then, I've made up my mind.
Hall"
What do you mean?" he asked, and
assuming a carelessness he was far
from feeling, he walked to the table
and took up flower, idly.
why, told you over the telephone,
didn't /? Look pleasant, Hail." she
said; tits yes I've decided to accept
YOU"
Hall grew faint. 1t was not alone
the words that alarmed him. 1t was
the cold-blooded tone in which they
were uttered. There was a deliberate
ness, a fixity of purpose in 1t that
threatened his complacency. Carolyn
still maintained her usual jocular man.
ner, but there was something keen and
steely beneath 1t that he had never be-
fore felt. He rose to meet it with all
his skill at acting.
Lord, Carolyn" he exclaimed, walk.
ing up to her impatiently, you didn't
really take me seriously, this morning,
did you?" He burst out into forced
laughter. We'll, that is funny; think
of vou-of all women-getting caught
like that! It's perfectly absurd! You
can't make me believe you thought
was in earnest, you know! That's abb
surd!"
Sc the agile trout, when he first
feels the hook in his mouth, thinks
that by a bold struggle he can regain
his freedom, and thrashes the pool
with hectic energy. But Carolyn. with
all her humor. was shrewd cool fisher
of men. Calmly, surely, she kept her
line taut. She had struck four mil
lions! Not for moment had she lost
her composure. Slowly she spoke;
she almost drawled.
why, yes, l did. Hall! Surely. You
seemed to have lucid interval, you
know. this morning, and believed
every word you said. And what's
MORE" she added, Il believe 1t now!r
Lazily. to and fro, her feather fan was
sweeping.
Hall floundered again, wildly. "Oh,
come on, Carolyn! Cant you take a
joker"
YES" she answered smilingly,
when l see the point of it. Will you
kindly explain?"
The point, Hall well knew, was in
his own mouth. He dashed up and
down the room fretfully, making fer
vent gestures. Poor fish! He still
imagined he could get away from the
hook. Good heavens, have explained,
haven't l? Why, only wanted to hear
what you'd sayi"
well vou'Na heard: say 'yesi'