The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1915-07-06
CHAPTER ~.

There, standing between the por-
there's, was young woman looking in,
unembarras sedly, with careless
smile on her face. She was the sort Of
girl who affects extremes in style, and
fits to her slimness the sportiest odd
hats, the straightest, narrowest, short
est skirts. But they well became her;
there was a not unpleasant masculine
note in her air and costume-a brisk
ness and confidence that spoke of golf
and tennis, horse or boats. Without
being too pretty, she had finely cut,
sharp features, long nose, gray eyes,
deft chin. She was most distinctly
New York type, trim as cutter,
clean and fresh as a hound. If Mrs.
Royalton had been willowy-languor-
Gus, supersentimental, suave, the crisp
and cool newcomer was as easily care
less as a boy. She waited, with an
arch, somewhat amused expression,
for an invitation to enter.
"Oh-Miss Dallys! Good morning!"
Hall called out and walked toward
her. "Say, would you mind waiting
just minute?"
"Sure!" said Carolyn DaIlys. She
waved her hand jauntily, and fetreated
to the Office
Hall returned to F1odie and stared
at her dramatically. Flodie trembled.
Finally he pounded the table with one
stroke of his fist. "By iove!" He
nodded empkatically.
"Oh, Mr.. Bonistelle-you don't mean
=" Flodie looked unspeakable things.
He pointed to the door to the Office,
There's the girl, right in there! Caro-
Ign Dallys! Why didn't we think of
her before?"
Flodie WINGED as if he had struck
| her in the face. Then she burst forth
like waterfall. ooh, no, no! Let me
tell you, Mr.. Bonistelle! She's too
mannish, Mr.. Bonistelle, Miss Dallys
| ls-you want feminine woman, Mr..
Bonistelle-you know-one who can
care for you and look after you, and
see that you get up and keep your ap-
| po1ntments and-oh, dear-can't you
| seq She looked at him, saw he
! was not listening, made another effort,
more historical, in sheer despair. ooh,
Mr.. Bonistelle, why, Miss Dallys cares
| more for dogs and automobiles than
she does for you, Mr.. Bonistelle-Mr.
Bonistelle-' Flodie took him by the
coat lapel impressively "She smokes
cigarettesi"
Hall laughed and chucked her under
| the chin. "Oh, that's all right! Lord,
Flodie. don't want to marry house
keeper, you know. Why, I'll be a mil
lionaire. I'll have servants to do all
that. My wife will have to know
thing or two, you know, society, and
manners and taste. Carolyn is right
in it. College education, music and
| polo-bridge-swims and shoots-why
Lord, I'd be proud to death of ter. You
go right in and tell her I'm ready"
| Again Flodie f1inched. She gave him
one hungry look and started for the Of
| fee. Then new thought stabbed her.
She turned. What if Mrs. Royalton
| should say yes? What if she should ?"
! Hall suddenly came to his senses.
Say, by jove! That would be mix
up, wouldn't it! l hadn't thought of
that at all" He dropped down on a
| chair and looked at her hopelessly.
Did Flodie see, at the prospect of
such an ENHANCEMENT, faint hope for
her own chances? Her face, for a mo-
ment, lighted. 1t was anyone, now, to
beat Mrs. Royalton. Flodie foresaw
| that Carolyn Dallys alone could help
her. Yes, he must propose to Carolyn
Her voice came artfulsy smooth and
| sweet.
You could hatch up a quarrel
couldn't you-perhaps you could tell
her something horrid-or do some
thing-well, you know!"
Cor you could. Couldn't you, Flo
die? You've helped me out before
You're clever. You know women"
Flodie was new creature now The
| primitive woman in her was aroused
She smiled-but it was so unlike Flo
dies sunny smile-it was electric. She
nodded sagely.
We'll, then, I'll take a chance, any
way. Lord, / think I've got right to
make as good a choice as / can, if
have TO be married to order! l don't
see why l should ruin my whole life
just because 1 happened to see Mrs.
Royalton first! You tell Carolyn I'm
all ready"
Flodie nodded, with a hard look in
her eyes. "All right she said slowly,
and gulped something down. Its your