The Spectator., 1915-11-19
CHAPTER Vi.-Continued.

CHAPTER VI.-Continued.
 Flodie stared at him fascinated, as a bird by a snake. Try as she could, it was impossible to deny his accusa- ton.
 Hold on a minute, now!" He shook his finger impressively "Id give good deal If was satisfied he wouldn't be married before midnight"
 Flodie could stand it no longer. It was useless to attempt to hide her feelings from this man. Her heart was bursting. "Oh, so would I, if I had the money!" she cried, woebe- gone.
 Jonas leaned back, with a smile of victory on his face. Wall, I guess l got to the woman of it at last" he gloated All women is just alike, when you come right down to it. One man among a thousand have 1 found; but woman among all those have not found'-that is, different. But that's neither here nor there. I sus- pected you was sweet on Hall your face give you dead away. Wall then, miss," he brought it out deliberately, seems to me our interests ought to be identical"
 What d'you mean?" Something in Flodie's subconsciousness was awak- ened
 You, bein' woman, don't want him to marry anybody else. Wall neither do l." He watched her closely, heart lessly.
 q see," said Flodie frigidly, be cause you'd lose a fortune"
 "Oh it ain't the money, miss, don't you misinterpret my motives. I don't want a cent of it for myself. It's what l can do with it. See here; if Hall gets that money, he's bound to throw it away on all sorts of foolishness. If he marries tonight, some sheep-head- ed, eXtravagant woman will have the spendin' of it." He watched the shaft strike Flodie, and went on. "Whars- as. if I inherit it-why, got my plars all laid out already" He leaned for ward earnestly. Why, do you know. miss, they's heather in the tropics what don't know what clothes be, let alone the Bible. They tell me they ain't a toothbrush nor a pair O corsets In all Polynesia. And all of them mis- erable niggers got to be damned ever lasting. Then theys hospitals I in tend to endow, and tracts ought to be printed" But Flodie's eyes were cast down. He saw that he had lost his audience. and came back to his best argument. Think O Halls wife throwin' that cash round on parties, and low-necked dresses-to say nothin' O balls and concerts and theaters!"
 We'll" Flodie said, with pathetic took in her face, T don't see what we can do about it. He's made up his mind to marry tonight, and he's al ready proposed to three women"
 Jonas whistled long and low Looks like we got to get to work in a hurry, don't 1t? See here, miss." he spoke slowly and emphatically You can do it. Why. women is born for tricks like this Whats that Jeremiah says? A woman shall compass a man That's right. too. You'll find a way and depend on me to help all can. What dye say?"
 Flodie's mind had already jumped to the task. Why not try to save Hall? that was the excuse she gave her self. To be disloyal to him was un- thinkable, but to prevent a lifelong unhappiness due to his marrying any one of the three women he had pro posed to-ah, that was another thing. What if she could accomplish it, and get the best of this scheming hypo- crite into the bargain? There was a magnificent chance for a woman's strategy! Suddenly the thought came, beautiful, complete. She jumped up excitedly. 'I know!" she cried.
 What? Got an idee a'ready?" Jo- mas grinned.
 Yes! I'll tell you. I'm going to get those three women together in this room-and then-I1l just let nature take it's course! If something doesn't happen, then l don't know anything about women."
 Jonas chuckled, delighted Wall, that will be a picnic. won't 1t! By jiminy, I'd like to see the fun!"
 No" said Flodie. you'll have to leave. I've got lots to do, if I'm to manage this thing, and I've got to do lt alone. Now, let's see! Wait min ute-Halls giving party tonight. Suppose tell him that invited you, and you come round ct about eleven o'clock Then I'll tell you how mat eors are going"