Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1915-10-07
CHAPTER xII-continued.

Is
The party was now in full swing.
Some twenty were In the reception
room, dancing or watching the
dancers. The evening grew in life
and merriment. Mr.. Doremus, back
from his interview with Flodie, was in
fected by the reYeIs. He blossomed
suddenly and Unexpectedly into hilar
fly, and encouraged and stimulated by
the gayer of the young actresses, be-
came, In spite Of himself. the center Of
him of till Alfred Smallish, blushing
furiousIy, appeared in the doorway.
Supper is ready-I mean-er-sup-
per is served" he announced, and
coughed into his hand
The three soubrettes who had been
peIting Mr.. DOremus with pinks, now
surrounded him, bound him with ever
green garlands and carried him of en-
shaved, through the Office, where Flo
die was presiding over tables Of salad
and sandwiches, into the reception
room, where they enthroned him on an
old Spanish chair, and waited on him
Ike hours. The gentlemen rushed
back and forth with plates and nap
kins; everybody began to talk and
laugh. Beer bottles popped.
Hall was now becoming desperate.
It did not seem at all so easy as he
had expected. If only Flodie hadn't
got her back up so foolishly! Well,
ne must, at least, be off with his old
loves before he was on with the new.
And for that, he must have the an
swers of the two women. He left the
company and walked into the studio,
now deserted, to look at the clock.
Heavens! 1t was already half after
eleven. Something would have to hap
pen in a hurry, if
Carolyn Dallys appeared In the door
way, smiling. She was wearing corn
color, in a costume no man could have
described five minutes after he had
seen it. Carolyn's clothes were always
not only original but characteristic of
her.
She sauRtered in, and dropped upon
the couch, TO look up at him good-na-
turedIy. Halls hopes rose. It was go
ing to De easy, thank heaven. She
didnt at all have the smile of a pros
psciive owner.
We'll, Hail." she began, you don't
seem particularly anxious to see your
bIushing bride. I had almost begun
to think you we're deliberately avoid
ing me-"
Avoiding you! Nonsense, Caro-
lyn!" Hall laughed easily and tossed
her a box of cigarettes. Really, I've
been so confoundedly busy with all
these people, and"
She broke in placidIy: We'll, you're
not busy now, are you?"
Hall began to be afraid. ooh, no, of
course not. Why?" He watched her
as if she were about to strike him.
Well, then, I've made up my mind,
Hall"
What DO you mean?' he asked, and
assuming a carelessness he was far
from feeling, he walked to the table
and took up a flower, idly.
Why, told you over the telephone,
didn't I? Look pleasant, Hail." she
said; its yes I've decided to accept
you"
Hall grew faint. It was not alone
the words that alarmed him. 1t was
the cold-blooded tone in which they
were uttered. There was a deliberate
ness, a fxity of purpose in it that
threatened his cOmplacency. Carolyn
nTill maintained hnr- iNny1ors IN.
ner, but there was something keen and
steely beneath it that he had never be,
fore felt. He rose to meet it with all
his skill at acting.
Lord, Carolyn" he exclaimed, walk.
ing up to her impatiently, you didn't
really take me seriously, this morning
did you?" He burst out into forced
laughter, Well, that is funny; think
of you-of all women-getting caught
like that! It's perfectly absurd! You
can't make me believe you thought
was in earnest. you know! That's alb
surd!"
So the agile trout, when he frs
feels the hook in his mouth, thinks
that by bold struggle he can regain
his freedom, and thrashes the poo
with hectic energy. But Carolyn, witt
all her humor, was a shrewd cool fshel
of men. Calmly, surely, she kept he
line taut. She had struck four mil
lions! Not for a moment had she los
her CompOsure. Slowly she spoke
she almost drawled.
why, yes, I did, Hall! Surely. Yol
seemed to have a lucid interval, yol
know, this morning, and I believed
every word you said And what
more, she added, 7 believe it now!'
Lazily, to and fro, her feather fan wa
sweeping.
Hall foundered again, wildly. ooh
come on, Carolyn! Can't you take
joker"
YES, she answered smilingly
when I see the point Of it. Win yo,
kindly explain"
The point. Hall well knew, was i,
his own mouth. He dashed up an
down the room fretfUlly, making fel
vent gestures, Poor fish! He stu
imagined he could get away from tn
hook. Good heavens, I have explained
haven't I? Why, only wanted to hea
what you'd say!"
We'll, you've heard; l say yes
His Speciality.