Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1915-09-16
CHAPTER Discontinued.

on or before. said Carolyn, frown-
ing. She looked over Rosamund's
shoulder.
F1odie looked up with a quick fling
Of her head. Her eyes snapped.
-Four miIlionsl" Rosamund put
down the paper.
For a moment the three women
looked at one another in silence. A
wave Of bitterest enmity seemed to
sweep around the circle. Each face
was set and hard. as each guarded her
secret thought. Then each stirred
restless and nervous, in fear of betray-
ing herself
Carolyn spoke, almost in a whisper.
so that's why Hall proposed to US all
today"
Yes" said Mrs. Royalton. HE evil
IDENTIFY wanted to be sure Of getting at
least one of us" Her lips curled in a
sneer.
No wonder he was IN a hurry" said
Rosamund -Four millions!"
There was another tense pause,
while F1odie watched, fascinated, TAX
ing gasping breaths. Then the three
spoke almost simultaneously, one to
another
You promised" It was threat,
question, entreaty, all in one.
Carolyn and Mrs. Royalton stared at
Rosamund. Rosamund faced the two
defantly. In that crisis the three
women were swept millions of miles
apart, then FLASHED f1ercely together.
Little Flodie was forgotten; she
turned from one to the other in alarm.
Then came the forced confession, with
a sigh from each of the three. Yes,
we did promise! Yes, we did! Yes!"
Carolyn again took command. This
is a serious thing. girls. We must
keep our word. every one of US. Rosa
mund, you can't go back on US, now."
Go back on you? Why do you pick
me out. How about you and Mrs.
Royalton. I'd like to know? Are you
going to stand by me?"
Yes. you proposed it in the first
place, you know, CaroIyn!" Mrs. Roy
alton broke in. 4 think you had better
speak for yourself, before you accuse
us!"
Well" said Carolyn, hesitatingly,
Il don't intend to back out of it." She
suddenly turned suspiciously to Flo
die and forced a laugh "Oh. Miss
Fisher" she said, suavely, don't think
we're insane or anything, but this is a
little joke we had planned for the party
tonight. A sort of surprise. you
know"
oh, yes, I didn't quite understand
what you were saying, was so busy.
said Flodie. about the costumes
Isn't it,"
Yes. about the costumes" Mrs.
Royalton interrupted sweetly, you see
we're all going to wear"
"Oh, don't give it all away" Rosa.
mund exclaimed.
Mrs Royalton took a step toward
the door We'll, Carolyn. I've got to
CO." she said. i've been here an aw
full while"
Well. I've got to leave myself;
mercy, it's awfully late! I think II
so with youl" said Carolyn. moving of
nervously. You've got your car here
haven't you?" Mrs. Royalton nodded
All right. then: come on!"
Say, / think I'll go along, too
Rosamund was now conscious of he1
equality with these society ladies. ant
proposed to display tin her owl
way I'D just as lief so uptown.
have an errand on Ninetieth street
anyway"
Mrs. RoyaIton resigned herself t
the inevitable. Truth to tell, she was
no little afraid of this picturesque
blonde oh then, very weI-III be
delighted to gtye YOU a lift in my car
I'm sure!"
Carolyn save her a glance, anC
smiled acridIy. "Oh, yes, do come
Miss Gale. Wen be SO glad to see more
Of you. That will be charming
Nc" said Rosamund, bluntly, q
think III walk. after all" The three
went out with over-polite good after
moons" to Miss Fisher
CHAPTER x.