The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1915-10-08
CHAPTER xIil-continued.
4r GxZEv ~7GEsS

CHAPTER xIlI-continued.
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-they'll 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.
Royalton, now! Marry her! You've
got ten minutes ieft-go ahead. l don't
care!" She paused on the threshold.
.''I'll send her in. She'll make you a
good wife-she's had lot more ex-
perience than I have! Good luck!"t
Hall, left alone, walked up and down
the studio angrily. He was so en-
crossed with his thoughts that he did
not see Mrs. .Royaltan, who had .sp-
tered a moment after fFlodie left, until;
turning suddenly. ,hesall but ran. into
her. Rena, beaming, effusive, held opt
both her hands, caught his and laid
her dark head against his shoulder.
"Oh, HALL" she breathed.
Hall tried unsuccessfully to free
himself. Whats the matter Dow?"
he asked. n
She looked fondly up4inte 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
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.
! "Oh. / understand it right enough.
That's the trouble. understand it too
we'll. Well, you've put me out of my
misery, all right Thank God, you did
it while there was time for me to es-
. cape worse!". - ..
But don't mean that, Hall. real
iy-"
'sNo, you mean you only wanted to
fure me on-get me to propose. and
then throw me down! >, know! All
woman cares for is to fool some man
any man will do, suppose, so long
as her vanity is satisfied, and she can
have his scalp to wear at her belt!
Isn't 1t shameful what 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 l found it
out in time, l say! Oh, I did think
loved you, Rena, admit, but was a
fool to believe in you. Now, it's all
Overt"
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 les
son! I'd just like to tell you what
think of you. but you're my guest In
my house, and unfortunately I'm a
gentleman, and so I can't do 1t. But
there's one thing can say, and that's
Good evening" Mrs. Royalton, and
you'll have to excuse me, for have
my guests to attend to!' a.
Almost winded with this extrava-
CANT fury, he turned to make his exit
as speedily as possible, but she was
too quick for him. Seizing- his arm,
sne locked him straight in the face.
her eyes filled with tears.
why, Hall Bonistelle!" she ex-
claimed. You're crazy! Why, I'm go
ing to accept you!'
He dropped like log upon chair,
in amazement. She had demolished
fris-who3e towering pose at word.
For, a moment he, was unable to speak.
Then she looked at him fery arehlS1
Hail." she said. don't you think I'm
prettier than usual tonight? Or do
imagine 1t because In so awfully
happy?"
The question pricked him into life.
He looked at her coIdly, and in des-
peration made another attempt to goad
he~ into anger
BY jove, l didn't think a woman
could-well, a, 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, for
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,"
a:"Why. Hall, dear." she replied. with
Big innocent eyes, Il don't know what
in the world you're talking about; but
I'll tell you one thing that wouldn't
do wouldn't give you up for all the
money in the world"
Well, can you beat it," he .gasped,
addressing Spanish chair.
"Ah,' Hail." she continued. when;
once consent, | go fast. Really, I'd
like tn be married to you this very
night, IL you only had marriage IL
cense'
"a WHAT" he cried, thunderstruck.
"A marriage license, you know. OF
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 H.
cense, Not once had 1t occurred to
him-the whole subinlal Comedy had
played, out in gain. The four
millions Jonas Hassingbury mad won,
af+es all,
Evil in cheapness.
All works of art must bear price
in proportion to the skill, taste, ex-