Middletown transcript., 1915-07-03


filly.
Mrs. Royalton didn't, apparently,
get the sarcasm. well, you don't
seem to wait on them very much!
Isn't Mr.. Bonistelle ready for me YETI"
Flodie started to reply. then changed
her mind. 81 don't know" she said,
"I1l see."
Hall was blinking from the dark
room, loaded plate-holders in hand.
"Oh, Mr.. Bonistelle," Flodie whis-
pered despairingly, you aren't going
to propose to her, are you? Oh, don't,
don't, please, Mr.. Bonistelle!"
well, what's the matter now?
thought you wanted me to-"
"Oh, but l don't now!"
"Flodie! You're crazy! Don't you
worry! It'll be a happy day for you,
little girl, when I'm married! I'll see
that you get better job than this!
Say, where's that other plate-holder?"
cover on that shelf. Oh, Mr.. Boni-
stelle, you'll be awfully unhappy! l
know you will"
He stopped impatiently.
Unhappy! With four millions,
Flodie? With a private yacht-a
country house-a villa in Italy, per-
haps-automobiles-a valet-by jove,
l guess mott"
Her face was absurdly distorted
with pain and anxiety Her fists were
clenched. She summoned her courage
for the last despairing stroke. "Oh, she
paints, Mr.. Bonistelle! She paints
her face like clown! You wouldn't"
Hall laughed aloud. For heavens s
sake! Is that what's troubling you?
Now, suppose she's the only woman
who does it in all New York! Well,
put your mind at rest, Flodie; I'll
promise to reform her after we're mar
ried Tell her to come in"
Mrs. Royalton wandered into the
studio. She began, as usual, with a
simper and a smile. 81 don't know
that ought to shake hands with you,
Mr.. Bonistelle! You're a bad, bad
boy! Why haven't you been to see
me, all this long while?" She filled
the place with her dulcet personality.
Hall inspected her sagely, as one in
spects a valuable object he is expect
ing to purchase, seeing her, as it
were, for the first time. His first re-
mark lacked conviction. "Oh, I've
been busy-Rena!" That "Rena"
barely saved it.
BUSY! Oh, you're always too busy
for poor little me! I'm sure you'll
take horrld picture of me-and l did
so want to get a good one today!"
Mrs. Royalton ratified on, taking of
her veil and inspecting her hair in
the cheval glass. She twitted him on
his impoliteness, she made her big
eyes bigger. She did the spoiled child
kittenishly
Hall still seemed distrait. He broke
away nervously and went to work. II
was his custom to engage his object
in conversation, permitting her to
change position, talk, drink tea, flirt
or gesture as she would, while she was
unaware, and before she began to
wonder why he did not begin, to have
managed the exposure of some dozen
plates, from one or two Of which he
was pretty sure to achieve a triumph
of art and naturalness.
But, at the mercy of his obsession
this method was impossible today
Hall was too busv making up his mind
and could not do two things at once.
You're not paying bit of attention
to me-" she pouted. Mrs. Royalton
babyish, was picture for cynic.
But Hall was too engrossed in his
own thoughts. He caught her will
an untitled finger, cried "There!" ant
slipped in a plate. "The fact is, an
a bit worried today" he confessed
Just look bit over that way. That's
right! Fine!" He deftly pressed the
bulb.
She went up to him and patted hil
arm. "Oh, you poor dear man! Oh,
wish could help him out!"
"Oh, no, I'm afraid you can't hell
me-" he said irritably. 81 wish t.
heaven you could. Now look up!" hi
commanded. Then he dived under the
focusing cloth, and emerged to say
Its partly you that I'm worrying
about, though, Rena."
About me? MOI" Mrs. RoyaltoI
was delighted.
Eyes, am, really!" He went up tt
her and adjusted her jabot.
Her eyes went off at him like {
double-barreled shotgun in an explo
sion Of coquetry. 81 suppose you tel
that to every woman you know!"
He was in for it, now Nonsense
It's true, Rena."
She opened her eyes still wider
"What in the world do you mean? ?
She was hungry for more,
Wait till l get another picture.
Hall wheeled his camera into a new
position, wondering what to say next
She was animated enough, now, he
big eyes fairly blazedS The tigresr
had scented the antelope.
For some time he held her off while
she teased for further revelation, in
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