Middletown transcript., 1915-09-11

Der that; and not JUST TO help eaten q
fortunel"
Hall watched her, fascinated. as she
strode up and down, her eyes flashing,
her body 1.-THE and eager, accenting
her anger with free, unconscious ges-
lures. by Jove!" he exclaimed, II
wouldn't know you! Why, l never
saw you like this before! What's hap
pened to you? didn't know 1t was
in youi"
She turned scornfully. ooh, I've got
lot in me that you'll never know,
Hall Bonistelle. I've got a little pride,
for one thing"
He seized her hand; in spite Of her
self, she let 1t rest in his, while he
asked, soothingly: And haven't you a
little love. too. Flodie?"
She snatched her hand away. Love!
What do you know about love!" she
exclaimed scornfully, and walked
away from him. "Why, your janitor
knows more about real love than you
do-a thousand times!"
Still he stood and looked at her as
at a marvel. "Flodie Fisher" he de-
clared, you may believe it or not. but
am in love with you, swear l am!
Why, you're magnificent! BY Jove,
never saw such spirit! Why in the
world haven't you ever shown me
what you were, before? I'd have pro-
posed to you six months ago!"
well, you're too late, now!" She
was trembling. Suddenly her strength
left her. She burst into tears.
He went up to her appealingly.
"See here, Flo, do want you, don't
you understand that, little girl? And
I'm going to have you, too, no matter
what happens! D-n that money,
anyway! wish it never had been left
] me! See here, Flo, let's begin all
over again! come on out right now
and marry me, will you-will your"
moi" she sobbed.
Now there are two NOS" a woman
can say. One comes through clenched
teeth; 1t has a rising infection; the
other is an out-and-out bark and has
the downward fling. Few men know
what different things they mean. Hall
|
her. Then his tone changed. well, l
don't know that blame you," he said
finally. 1--WE been all kinds of a cad
today, but guess this is the limit. OF
course I've been blind. You're right.
I've been so close to you ! haven't
really seen you. And now that do.
it's too late. Say, Flodie, did you
mean that? Is 1t really too late?
Won't you let me prove that am in
earnest. at last?"
"Oh, how can believe you? You're
not honest! You've been lying all
day! You've lied to Mrs. Royalton.
and you've lied to Miss Dallys and
Rosamund. And now you're lying to
me! MOI" she said, "I'll never believe
you" Then she dropped her head on
her hands over the table. go away!"
she sobbed.
Hall walked toward the door,
wretched and ashamed.
Isn't there any chan.e Cor me?' he
pleaded. Don't you lovo me enough
to forgive me, dear? Dor'L -Ay no
Flodie!"
| OhO AOOhOu uP Win IObIb III hOA
eyes. She had a strange, exalted look
on her face as she spoke through
clenched teeth. Hall Bonlstelle," she
said, Il will not marry you! There!"
She turned away.
, Hall suddenly caught fire. He shook
his fist at her "Flodie Fisher, you
shall marry mel" The door slammed
AS soon as he had gone, Flodle
jumped up, and stood for a moment
| thinking. She glanced at the clock
scowled, then walked stealthily to the
door and listened. Opening it. she
looked out into the hall
} "Oh, Alfred!' she called, and theH
| she waited.
In a moment the janitor appeared
pale and sad as a specter. "Yes, Miss
= Fisher?"
She regarded him eagerly. alfred,
she said, you said you'd do anything
for me. didn't your"
= "Yes, Miss Fisher. that's what
, did,"
you will do anything, no matter
what ask?"
"Oh. yes. Miss Fisher! Indeed
! will"
Then go and get your hat and Goa
hurry"
"Yes. Miss Fisher"
He left hastily, and F1odle went Il
3 her closet and drew forth her own ha
and coat and put them on. still alb
; sorbed in thought. She was drawing
on her last glove when Alfred re
q appeared.
What is 1t you want me to do. Mis-
Fisher7"
Alfred" she replied. smiling elfish
ly on him. 81 want you to go down u
the city hall with me. We're going t.
get a marriage ncense!"
]. And before he could reply she hat
l hurried with him out of the door.
CHAPTER XI.
/ l..