Middletown transcript., 1915-10-02
CHAPTER xllI-contlnued.

"Oh, that's why you're in such hurry. |
Is It? ! thought so. Take one of |
those three women you have proposed |
to-theyn 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, now! Marry her! You've
got ten minutes left-go ahead, don't
care!" She paused on the threshold.
III send her in. She'll make you a
good wife-she's had a lot more ex-
perience than have! Good luckl"
Hall, left alone, walked up and down
the studio angrily. He was SO en-
crossed with his thoughts that he 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, effusive, held out
both her hands, caught his and laid
her dark head against his shoulder.
''Oh, HALL" she breathed.
Hall tried unsuccessfully to free
himself. whats the matter Dow"
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,
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
fash, he took up her words and
plunged into a histrionic rage.
"Oh. understand 1t right enough.
That's the trouble, understand 1t too
well. Well, you've put me out OF my
misery, all right. Thank God, you did
1t while there was time for me to es-
cape worse!"
But / don't mean that. Hall. real
ly-"
mo, you mean you only wanted to
lure me on-get me to propose, and
then throw me down! l 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
have his scalp to wear at her belt!
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
a mass Of insane female conceit, that's
what you are! Thank God l found II
out in time. say! Oh, did think
loved you, Rena, admit, but l was q
fool to believe IN you. Now, it's al
overi"
He stood before her, shaking his fin
ger savagely. It's all over and I'm
glad of it.! I'm we'll rid of you, Rens
Royalton, and 1t will teach me a les
son! I'D just like to tell you what
think of you but you're my guest II
my house, and unfortunately I'm 1
gentleman, and so l can't do 1t. Blu
there's one thing / can say, and that
Good EVENING" Mrs. Royalton, ant
youn have to excuse me, for hav,
my guests to attend to!"
Almost winded with this extravs
giant fury, he turned to make his ext
as speedily as possible, but she wa
too quick for him. Seizing his arm
she looked him straight in the face
her eyes filled with tears.
why, Hall Bonistelle!" she eA
claimed. You're crazy! Why, I'm &C
ing to accept you!"
He dropped like log upon a chail
in amazement. She had demolishe
his whole towering pose at a wore
For a moment he was unable to speal
Then she looked at him very archlI
Hail." she said, don't you think II
prettier than usual tonight? Or do
imagine 1t because I'm so awful
happy7"
The question pricked him into Nf
He looked at her coldly, and in de-
peration made another attempt to goa
her into anger.
by 1ove, didn't think a woma
could-well, a, woman will do an
thing to get what she wants, thei
won't she? She'll pay any price, an
suffer any indignity! Good Lor
haven't you any pride, Rena, fC
heavens sake? Haven't you any senl
of shame? Tell me; is there anythir
you wouldn't do for money, Rena Ro
alton7 Let's have it!"
"Why, Hall, dear!" she replied. vii
big innocent eyes, II don't know VIII
In the world you're talking about; bl
I'll tell you one thing that wouldn
dol wouldn't give you up for all Il
money in the world!"
well, can you beat it!" he gaspe
addressing a Spanish chair.
"Ah, Hail." she continued. when
once consent, l go fast. Really,
like to be married to you this ve
night, r. you only had a marriage
cense."
"A what?" he cried, thunderstrucl
"A marriage license, you know.
course that's always necessary
fore"
by Jimmy Christmas!" he thu
dered, staring in front of him. Re-
was forgotten, everything was forg'
ten except that, through his stupid
all, now, was lost. A marriage
cense! Not once had 1t OCCURRED
him-the whole sublime cUmedy h
been played out in vain. The 70
millions-Jonas Hassingbury had We
after ALI
-@~~~~~~es~.NsN~sN NsN~sN-~NN~-~~N~-NNNN
Evil In CheapnesS.
v,v.4