Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1915-11-26
CHAPTER Ill-Continued.

mercy, Hall! Not here! Not now!
Not yeti" She took a few steps from
him, and turned to look him over,
even as he had looked at her She
looked as a woman looks at a hat in a
milliner's, then shook her head, as II
she were not sure 1t was becoming.
mo, Hall, I'm afraid l must have q lit
tie time. I can't decide Just now"
Renal"
mo. Hall. You must be patient,
dear. Give me a week"
See here!" Hall spoke deliberately.
will you let me know tonight? You're
coming to my party here. tonight.
aren't your"
"Why, yes, was"
"Will you give me your answer
then?"
She hung fire for \ moment. Hall
gave a 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
him away. "Oh. Hall, you mustn't!
Not yet, anyway-you know 1 haven't
accepted you, yet. Oh. can't decide.
rye got to think 1t all over calmly"
Lord, not calmly, Renal" he ex-
claimed. He gazed sadly at his shoes.
1.-THE suspense will be terrible!" he
said, and with elaborate emphasis.
my darling!"
"Oh. Faint heart ne'er won fair
lady!'" Mrs. Royalton seemed fully
two inches taller than when she had
come in. Now. must 90. Hail. 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. II think
4 you used almond cream for your
lAcs 1t might do 1t . great deal Of
good. Try one Of those wrinkle-bands
Why don't you! They're really very
ed1cacious." She swished into the
crossing room to put on her veil.
Flodie waited q moment in scornful
silence. then burst into the studio to
And Hall gazing in q stupor out the
window, hands in pockets, = scowl on
IL face. What did she say?" she
whispered. Hall didn't hear. What
IA she say, Mr.. Bonistellei" Flodie
vas perishing of suspense.
Hall walked to the couch and
cropped down. shaking his head
~6he wanted time. Time! Confound
tt-the only thing l haven't got!
What d'you think Of thati feel AZ II
I'd done weeks washing! I'm all
ussd up! Say, Flodie, 1t takes lots
q energy to propose. did you know
thatf"
Fodis regarded him wistfully. 81
Ghould think 1t would-especially
when you don't mean It."
"Oh, mean 1t all right. I'll stand
Tor 1t. Four millions! Lord, why
wouldn't l mean IT. I'd mean any
thing!"
IT mean when you don't really love
her. Mr.. Bonistelle. don't sec how
yeu could do it. could never dc
anything like that!"
well, you ought to be glad you
don't have to F1odie. Unfortunately, ]
Do. Why, she'll make = good wife
won't she? don't say love her, ex
actly; but, we'll. I've always liked
Rena Royalton. She's good fellow
Shes got the looks. and the style, and
the family connections and everything
wouldn't be q bit ashamed of her al
Mrs.. Bonistelle. What's the matte,
With you. Flodie? You look SO queer
m or anything"
"Oh. I'm all right" Flodie smiled
utterly. "Only-only-"
well. I'll be hanged! Why, any
fbody would think it was you who wer,
n hole. not me. Lord. l thought 20,
cared enough for me to help me out!
She moved instinctively TOWARD
him; instincdvely she withdrew. "oh
I do. really do, Mr.. BonisteIle! How
can help your Tell mel"
well, what am going to do IL Mrs
Royalton refuses me. By Jove! Jus
think Of it, being In that woman,
power to cost me four and half mil
Nonsi It's outrageous!"
Don't you let her. Mr.. Bonistelle!
Tlodie broke out eagerly. "Oh, it ism
nght. Surely there's some other wa,
"a better way than that. Mr.. Boni
stelle!"
"A better wayf What d'you meanr
Hall looked at her, puzzled.
Flodie screwed up her courage. an,
reached gently for his hand. But. NO
she didn't quite dare take it He