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

CHAPTER III-continued.
Mercy. Hall, Not here. Not now!
Not yeti" She took few steps from
him, and turned to look him over,
even as he had looked at her. She
looked as woman looks at hat In a
milliner's, then shook her head, as if
she were not sure 1t was becoming.
mo, Hall, I'm afraid must have a lit
tie time. can't decide just now"
Renal"
mo, Hall. You must be patient,
dear. Give me week"
See here!" Hall spoke deliberately.
"Will you let me know tonight? You're
coming to my party here, tonight,
aren't you?"
why, yes, l was
"Will you give me your answer
them"
She hung fire for a moment. Hall
gave gesture of agony-it was his
supreme effort and had a touch of
genius. Mrs. Royalton, seeing, capt.
ulated. "Well, then, all right, to-
night"
Hall tried again for an embrace
even while repulsing him she let him
taste her lips, then she feebly pushed
him away. "Oh, Hall, you mustn't!
Not yet, anyway-you know haven't
accepted you, yet. Oh, can't decide.
I've got to think 1t all over calmly"
Lord, not calmly, Renal" he ex-
claimed. He gazed sadly at his shoes.
"The suspense will be terrible!" he
said, and with elaborate emphasis,
my darling!"
ooh. Faint heart ne'er won fair
lady," Mrs. Royalton seemed fully
two inches taller than when she had
come in. "Now, must go, Hall. Good
by!" She held out her hand, an en-
press to slave. He kissed it with
fervor. And with that she smiled, and
walked out.
For ten minutes F1odie had stood
stealthily by the door. trying to listen.
She had barely time to spring back to
her desk.
"Good-by, Miss Fisher!" Mrs. Royal
ton paused condescendingly. 81 think
If you used almond cream for your
face it might do it a great deal of
good. Try one of those wrinkle-bands,
why don't you! They're really very
efficacious." She swished into the
dressing room to put on her veil.
Flodie waited a moment in scornful
silence, then burst into the studio to
find Hall gazing in a stupor out the
window, hands in pockets, a scowl on
his face. What did she say?" she
whispered. Hall didn't hear. what
did she say, Mr.. Bonistelle!" Flodie
was perishing of suspense.
droprcd down. shaking his head.
she wanted time. Time! Confound
1.-THE only thing I haven't got!
What d'you think of that! l feel as if
I'd done weeks washing! I'm all
used up! Say, Flodie, it takes lots
of energy to propose, did you know
that?"
Flodie regarded him wistfully. "I
should think it would-especially
when you don't mean it,"
"Oh, mean it all right. I'll stand
for it. Four millions! Lord, why
wouldn't l mean it? I'd mean any
thing"
Il mean when you don't really love
her, Mr.. Bonistelle l don't see how
you could do it. I could never do
anything like thati"
well, you ought to be glad you
don't have to Flodie. Unfortunately,
do. Why, she'll make a good wife.
won't she? l don't say 1 love her, ex-
actly; but, well, I've always liked
Rena Royalton She's a good fellow.
She's got the looks, and the style, and
the family connections and everything.
| wouldn't be a bit ashamed of her as
Mrs Bonistelle. What's the matter
with you, Flodie? You look so queer!
III or anything"
"Oh, I'm all right" Flodie smiled
bitterly. "Only-only-"
We'll, I'll be hanged. Why, any
body would think it was you who we're
in hole, not me. Lord, thought you
cared enough for me to help me OUT"
She moved instinctively toward
him; instinctively she withdrew. "Oh,
1 do, really 1 do, Mr.. Bonistelle! How
can 1 help you? Tell mel"
well, what am going to do if Mrs.
Royalton refuses me. By jove! Just
think of it's being in that woman's
power to cost me four and half mil
lions! It's, outrageous"
Don't you let her, Mr.. Bonistelle!"
Flodie broke out eagerly. "Oh, it isn't
right Surely there's some other way
"a better way than that, Mr.. Boni-
stelle!"
"a better way? What d'you mean?''
Hall looked at her, puzzled.
Flodie screwed up her courage, ard
reached gently for his hand But. no,
she diunt quite dare take 1t. Her