Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1915-10-14
CHAPTER XlII-Continued.

1F11F q Silt--~~ttNAAA-SA
it,
Now she turned on him with scorn.
~Oh, that's why you're in such hurry,
Is it? I thought so. Take one Of
those three women you have proposed
to-thsyu 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.
Royalt0n, nOwI Marry her! You've
e0T ten minutes left-go ahead, 1 don't
care!" She paused on the threshold.
"fJI send her in. She'll make you
good wife-she's had a lot more ex-
peHence than / have! Good luck!"
Hall. left alone. walked up and down
the studio angriIy 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, ELUSIVE, held out
both her hands, caught his and laid
her dark head against his shoulder.
"Oh, HALL" she breathed
Hall tried unsuccessfuly to free
himself. Whats the matter now?"
he asked.
She looked fondIy up into his face.
"Oh, Hall, didn't you understand what
I said over the phone?"
A sudden thought came to him, a
desperate expedient. Any stick to beat
a dog with; any excuse, however ri
diculous, would do for quarrel with
this clinging sickening female He
must get rid Of her. So, quick as a
flash, he took up her words and
plunged into histrionic rage.
ooh, I understand it right enough.
That's the trouble, I understand it 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 I don't mean that, Hall, real
ly-"
No, you mean you only wanted to
lure me on-get me to propose, and
then throw me down. I know! All a
woman cares for is to fool some man
any man will do, I 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 I found it
out in time, I say! Oh, I did think I
loved you, Rena, admit; but I was a
fool to believe in you. Now, it's all
Over!"
He stood before her, shaking his fin
ger savagely. ITS all over, and I'm
glad of it! I'm well rid of you, Rena
Royalton, and it will teach me a les
son! I'd just like to tell you what l
think of you, but you're my guest in
my house, and unfortunately I'm q
gentleman, and so I can't do It, But
there's one thing I can say, and that's
Good EVENING" Mrs. Royalton, and
you'll have to excuse me, for I have
my guests to attend tot"
Almost wlnded with this extrava
giant fury, he turned to make his exit
as speedily as possible, but she was
too quick for him, Selling his arm,
she looked him straight in the face,
her eyes filed with tears.
why, Hall Bonistelle!" she ex-
claimed. You're crazy! Why, I'm 60
ing to accept you!"
He dropped like a log upon a chair,
in amazement She had demolished
his whole towering pose at a word
For moment he was unable to speak
Then she looked at him very archly
"'HaIl," she said don't you think I'm
prettier than usual tonight? Or do ]
imagine it because Pm so awfully
happy?'
The question prieked him into life
He looked at her coldly, and in des
peration made another attempt to goad
her into anger,
'By jove, I didn't think a woman
could-wen, q, woman will do any
thing to get what she wants. then
won't she? She'll pay any price, and
suffer any indignity! Good Lord
haven't you any pride Rena, fol-
heavens sake? Haven't you any sense
OF shame? Tell me; is there anything
you wouldn't do for money, Rena Roy
alton? Let's have it,"
why, Hall, dearl" she replied, with
big innocent eyes, 7 don't know what
in the world you're talking about; but
III tell you one thing that I wouldn't
do wouldn't give you up for all the
vDDrey- {v tho WORLD 30
Well, can you beat it!'' he gasped
addressing a Spanish chair
All, Hail." she continued, when ]
once consent, go fast. Really, I'd
like to be married to you this very
night, If you only had a marriage Il
cense"
a what?" he cried, thunderstruck.
"A marriage license, you know. OF
course that's always necessary be.
fore
by Jimmy Christmas!" he thun.
dered. staring in front of him. Rena
was forgotten, everything was forgot
ten except that, through his stupidity
all. now, was lost. A marriage. II
censei Not once had it occurred to
him-the whole sublime comedy had
been played out in vain. The four
millions-Jonas Hassingbury had won,
after all!
>~~~~~-~~-N~~~~~---~
Value of Mothers Stories.
Sarah Louise Arnold says: Life