The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1915-10-08
CHAPTER xlv-contInued.
CQolHNG2NT 9y G2exEZZ DL19GESS

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Mr.. Doremus!" she calculated. 81
heard something about Halls losing
money-his uncle's will, you know
that was mistake, wasn't it?"
How q mistake, Miss Dallys! /
wasn't aware that you were interested
in the subject, and hardly know to
what you refer"
why, it was all in the papers this
afternoon wasn't it? Everybody knows
about it,"
"Ah," said the lawyer, 81 would ad-
wise you not to put too much faith in
the papers, Miss Dallys."
But it said that Hall would get his
uncle's money
Rosamund, who had joined her,
broke inf he was married on or be-
fore his twenty-eighth birthday"
Mrs. Royalton was also in it, excited
ly-"And he's twenty eight tomorrow
mo, it's today!"
Mr. Doremus stood, with his hands
behind his back, watching them i'm
passively. "Ah, my dear ladies, that
just shows how little one can depend
upon the daily press. On and after,
reporters love such expressions. They
positively seem to think that no docu-
ment is complete without that par
ticular term"
But isn't it ON or before'?" they
demanded.
mot at all. Not at all. The phrase
is, to the best of my recollection, be-
fore he has attained his twenty-eighth
birthday In the Interpretation of the
law, ones birthday begins at midnight
preceding such date. Mr.. Bonistelle's
chances for inheriting, therefore, lapse
at twelve o'clock"
One and all turned to gaze at the
clock. And now, it's ten minutes
past!" cried Carolyn.
80 it seems!" said Mr.. Doremus.
"And now, ladies, is there anything
else can do for you? If not, must
rejoin Mr.. Hassingbury and discuss
his legal arrangements" With low
bow he passed at once out of the room.
For a moment, the three ladies, nom
plused, were dumb. Then, slowly, Rosa
mund turned to Carolyn, all her rancor
gone. WELL" she said. don't that
beat anything you ever heard in your
life?"
1t was evident by Carolyn's ironic
smile that she considered the remark
inadequate, but even she could do no
better. Mrs. Royalton was more eff
fective. She burst into tears.
Rosamund began to storm. why,
it's no better than stealing! That's
the only word for it,"
Lord, don't be fool" said Carolyn
finally. I'VE got the wrong tip. that's
all. But seem to see, now, why Mr..
Hall was in so much of a hurry"
I'm going home!" walled Mrs. Roy
alton. dabbing her eyes.
Tn not, till give him a piece of
my mind" cried Rosamund.
Hush! Wait a minute!" Carolyn
whispered. 'Is that he out in the Of
flee, there, with Miss Fisher? You
wait here. girls. I'm going to call him
tn!" Leaving them, she walked quietly
20 the door.
Hall! Oh, HALL" she called sweet
ly. She smiled as if upon an angel
Come in here minute, will you? I've
got little surprise for you!" She
darted back. and took her place with
the others, three In a line.
He came in smiling, saw the three
outraged ladies. and stopped, with an
embarrassed grin. what is it," he
managed to say.
"Oh. Hall. Hall. you've broken my
hearth" Mrs. Royalton wept again.
Hush up, Rena. You let me talk,
Miss Gale. viii you! I'd like to hear
just what this particular sort of cur
can find to say for himself"
GUILTY." said Hall, seeing the USE
lessness Of protest. Now go ahead!""
Have you got any face to stand
there and calmly acknowledge"
Carolyn broke In. You deliberately
deceived US. then-all threeI"
Just exactly as you deceived one
ancther!" he could not resist adding.
At that all three broke loose to-
gether, and. for the next five minutes
Hall Bonistelle faced the music. 1t
was not only useless, but impossible,
to answer them. He stood, with his
arms folded. bowling and smiling sar-
donically.
The stiletto was Carolyn's weapon,
but for Rosamund, the bludgeon. "Aha,
little Jack-the-Lady-Killer are you?
Three at shot, chr" sang in between
You're cad, Hall Bonistelle, you're
q liar and cheat!" Poor Rena could
but feebly pinch him with reproaches;
She was dissolved in her woe. So it
went, splitting, pounding and blubber-
tng-he ought to be horsewhipped,
someone's father or somebody's broth
or should thrash him! 1t was an out
sage and disgrace. What if they
called in the company to publish his
rascality? They were glad. glad, glad
Ife lad lost his money; it was good