Middletown transcript., 1915-09-18
CHAPTER Xl-contlnued.

ATlAF { N NI-ConIlnuG0.
Halls reception of him was polite
without being over-cordial. The two
cousins did not often meet; they had
little in common, and they disliked
each other thoroughly.
well, Jonas, been having a good
time in New York;"
"Oh, well, $780," His eyes twinkled.
mot so good as expect to have a
little later, though" He winked elab-
orately at F1odie.
"Oh, see. Meaning that money, I
presume"
That's right! Can't blame me for
takin' an interest in it, can ye? Four
millions don't walk into my pocket
every night, my boy!" He slapped Hall
cordially on the shoulder.
Hall was angry. You seem to be
pretty sure of it,"
Jonas placidly shook his head in sor-
SOW at this exhibition of temper. Nov,
Hall, ye want to take this in a Chris
tian spirit, my boy. can see it'll be
all for the best. Remember that gold
Is but dross-"
Hall whirled on him. shut up, will
you? By jove, if you weren't in my
own house, I'd kick you downstairs"
And with that, he flung impetuously
out OF the room.
Jonas sour glance followed him
"Peevish, amt he? How be ye gettin'
along?" he asked anxiously, in an un-
dertone, Of Flodie. Anything hap
pened?"
well, l should say!" said Flodie.
"You ought to have seen the show.
But we're not out of the woods, yet.
Still, l think that If have time and
luck. can put 1t through"
"Ye can? By whillikens, that's fine!
Good for you! Wall, we ought to know
pretty soon now" He looked up at
the clock. only, let's see-an hour
and thirty" He stopped, staring at
the clock, then, with a puzzled face,
drew his own big watch from his
pocket, and compared it with the
clock. "Say!" He turned eagerly to
Elodie.
"Hush!" cried Flodie, and laid her
finger on her lip.
Jonas expression grew crafty. Then
he grinned. "Oh, see! Got a little
scheme fixed up eh?" He walked to
the couch and sat down, beckoning
her. Say, jest set down, won't ye,
and let me know how things stand"
Flodie demurely took seat beside
him.
"Then they amt no danger of any O.
them three women gittin' him, is
they?"
why" said Flodie, mot If we can
manage to keep them away from him
It isn't so easy as it looks. Those
women are getting desperate, now
and you've got to help me fool them
"Me? How? What can do?"
"Why, If one of them gets him
you've got to just jump in, and break
1t up in hurry. Don't let her get a
word in edgewise, If you can help it.
Fall on the floor, smash a window
anything! 1t doesn't matter what
they think"
by jimmy, I'll do 1t, you bet!" cried
Jonas. "One thing do know: How
to handle women!"
There's millions in it, Mr.. Hassing
bury!"
"And I'm the feller what's goin' to
get 'eml" He seized Flodie's hand be
fore she could protest, and shook II
energetically. Say, miss, you're q
little wonder! Think of your doin' ali
that Just on my account-you're g
friend worth havin', d'you know it?"
ut was nice of me, wasn't it?" Flo
die replied modestly, turning away tc
bite her lip.
JONAS hitched his chair closer
A'Why, been a-thinkin' of it over to
day, and l got proposition I've de
,cided to make to ye. II git this here
money, and it looks now like I should
what dye say to we two hitchin' uI
together?"
Flodie jumped up suddenly. Nov
hold on, miss!" Jonas exclaimed, anC
stretched forth his long arm in OK
postulatidn. "You hear me out fust
I've kind p took a notion to ye, and