The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1915-11-04
CHAPTER xilI-contlnued.
CooNRiG,rT or cxzEIT oz19c<sss

those three women you have proposed
to-theyll do for your purpose
they'll help you out, any one OF them.
You have only to say the word Whistle
and they'll come to you. There's Mrs.
Royalton. nowl Marry herl You've
got ten minutes left-go ahead | don't
carel" She paused on the threshold.
I'll send her In. She'll make you a
good wife-shes had a lot more ex-
perience than have! Good luck!"
Hall. left alone, walked up and down
the studio angrily. He was so en-
crossed with his thoughts that ne did
not see Mrs. Royalton, who had en-
tered a moment after Flodie left. until,
turning suddenly, he all but ran into
her. Rena, beaming. ELUSIVE. held out
both her hands. caught his and laid
her dark head against his shoulder.
"Oh, Eall!" she breathed.
Hall tried unsuccessfully to free
himself whats the matter now?"
he asked.
She looked fondly up into his face.
"oh, Hall. didn't you understand what
] said over the phone?"
A sudden thought came to him. a
desperate expedient. Any stick to beat
a dog With; any excuse, however RI
diculous. would do for a quarrel with
this clinging sickening female. He
must get rid of her. So, quick as a
fash. he took up her words and
plunged into a histrionic rage.
"Oh. understand 1t right enough.
That's the trouble. I understand II too
we'll Well. you've put me out of my
misery, all right Thank God. you did
II while there was time for me to es-
cape worsei"
But I don't mean that, Hall. real
ly-"
"No, you mean you only wanted to
lure me on-get me to propose, and
then throw me down. know. All a
woman cares for is to fool some man
any man will do, suppose, so long
as her vanity is satisfied. and she can
Isn't It shameful what a woman will
do. Just for the moments cruel pleas
ure? You have no sympathy, no ten.
derness, no heart-you're nothing but
mass Of insane female conceit, that's
what you are! Thank God | found II
out In time. say Oh. did think
loved you. Rena, admit; but / was q
fool to believe in you. Now. it's al
overt"
He stood before her, shaking his I'm
ger savagely. IT'S all over. and I'm
glad OF I'll I'm well rid OF you. Rens
Royalton. and It will teech me a les
son! I'd just like to tell you what
think OF you, but you're my guest in
my house, and unfortunately I'm 9
gentleman, and so | can't do It. But
there's one thing / can say, and that's
Good EVENING"! Mrs. Royalton, ant
you'll have to excuse me. for have
my guests to attend tot"
Almost winded with this extrava
giant fury, he turned to make his ext
as speedily as possible. but she was
too quick for him. SEEKING his arm
she looked him straight In the face
her eyes filled with tears.
"Why, Hall Bonistelle!" she ex
iOu it III 10
ing to accept you!"
He dropped like log upon chair
In amazement She had demolished
his whole towering pose at a word
For q moment he was unable to speak
Then she looked at him very archly
Hail." she said. don't you think I'm
prettier than usual tonight? Or do
imagine It because I'm so awfully
happy?"
The question pricked him into life
He looked at her coldly, and in des
peration made another attempt to goat
her into anger
by jove. didn't think a woman
could-well. a. woman will do any
thing to get what she wants, then
won't she? She'll pay any price, anC
suffer any indignityl Good Lord
haven't you any pride. Rena, fol
heavens sake! Haven't you any sense
OF shame? Tell me; is there anythins
you wouldn't do for money. Rena Roy
alton? Let's have it,"
why. Hall. dear!" she replied, will
big innocent eyes. Il don't know wha
in the world you're talking about; bu
I'll tell you one thing that wouldn'
dol wouldn't give you up for all the
money In the world!"
well. can you beat It'll" he gasped
addressing a Spanish chair.
"Ah, Hail." she continued. when
once consent. l go fast. Really, II
like to be married to you this very
night. II you only had a marriage II
cense."
"A what?" he cried, thunderstruck.
"A marriage license. you know. o.
course that's always necessary be
fore"
by Jimmy Christmasl" he thun
dered. staring in front OF him. Renc
was forgotten, everything was forgot
ten except that. through his stupidit,
all. now, was lost. A marriage II
sense! Not once had II occurred t.
him-the whole sublime comedy hat
been played out in vain. The foul
millions--Jonas Hassingbury had won