The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1915-09-02
CHAPTER w.


Flodie was crying. Seated at her desk,
her bills Uttered. her account books in
disorder. her head was down on her
arms, In an attitude of dismal aban-
don. She did not weep, she cried.
Hall Bonistelle married-and not to
her! Married to whom? All, that
was the worst of 1t. II Flodie had
known the identity of her rival her
sorrow might have, before now, been
transmitted into anger. Would Mrs
Royalton, or Carolyn Dallys become
Mrs. Bonistelle? Or. worst of all,
would the wedding ring be worn by
Rosamund Gale? Flodie didn't know.
Hall didn't know. Even Rosamund
didn't know herself. Hence Flodies
tears, wet and heavy, splashing. trick.
ling. soaking the dark blue blotter of
Flodie's desk.
At two-ten sundry sounds, translat-
, ed by Flodie's intimate knowledge OF
Hall Bonistelle's ways. indicated his
approach. She sat hastily down at the
typewriter and began to print off this
interesting message:
Quiz Jack; thy frowns vex G.. d.
Plumb"
Interesting mainly because, con-
coction Of Flodie's debutante days at
the typewriter. 1t contained every
known letter of the alphabet. Now It
served to focus her mind on her fin-
gers, and hide her face from scrutiny.
When Hall came in, she had copied
the statement nine times, and seemed
too busy for speech.
Say. I'm going out, Flo!" he an
nounced, and tapped with his stick on
the floor thoughtfully.
Flodie kept right on: thy frowns
vex G. ID. Plumb" But love and curl
osity won against embarrassment. She
wheeled round in her chair. What
are going to do, Mr.. Bonistelle?
There's work for you to do, should
think"
Lord, don't feel much like work
today. but I've finished Mrs. Royal.
toI's plates, Carry Dallys', too; some
of her poses are not half bad. She's
almost pretty. did you know It? l
didn't have time to develop Rosamund.
She can wait; l expect I'll have plenty
Of time for her later"
At the infection Flodie turned to
him again with q heartbroken look.
"Oh, Mr.. Bonistelle! Have you-really
made up your mind that She"
Flodie couldn't finish. She choked.
Hall laughed. Lord. made up my
mind! What good would that do? It's
up to them. now. Well. I'm on the
way to buy the ring-and l ought to
get a suit Of clothes to go away in
| haven't anything at all to wear"
Flodie bit her lip hard. "oh. Mr..
Bonistelle!-" was she going to break
down, after allf In despair. her fin.
gers few to the keys of her machine
thy frowns vex G. d. Plumb. Quiz
Jack"
He tapped her playfully with the
tip OF his stick. We'll. I'm on, Flo.
See you tonight Be here earlyl"
Flodie turned a wretched face to
him. Her eyes we're wet.
"But don't know how you want
the rooms decorated. Mr.. Bonistelle!"
"Oh. l don't care-use your own
taste. It'll be all right. You can do
it So long, Flol" And he was OF.
F1odie went to the washstand be-
hind the screen and dabbed her eyes
in cold water, then inspected herself
mercilessly In the mirror. A sigh.
She made a face at herself and re-
turned listlessly to work.
But mental occupation was impos-
sible; Flodie had too much on her
mind already. Manual exercise was
what she needed to keep her from
giving up to her misery. There were the
freshly developed plates-she went
into the dark room to get them.
Taking the rack full of glass mega
tives. she emerged and walked into
the Office. Busy with melancholy
thoughts Of Hall Bonistelle, a shock
awaited her. There was a stranger
In the room.
Mr.. Bonistelle int"