The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1915-06-29

What's the matter, child? Been
| crying, haven't you? What in the
world does a young girl like you have
| to trouble your"
ooh, waiting on customers, for one
| thingl" Flodie tossed her head like a
| FLY.
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"
F1odie 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
ooh, Mr.. BonistelIe," Flodie whis-
pered despairingly, you aren't going
to propose to her, are you? On, don't,
don't, please, Mr. Bonistelle!"
We'll, what's the matter now?
thought you wanted me to-"
"Oh, but / don't now!"
"F1odie! 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-
| STEELE, you'll be awfully unhappy |
know you will"
He stopped impatiently.
Unhappy! With four millions,
Flodie? With a private yacht-a
country house-a villa in Italy, per-
| haps-automobil valet-by jove,
| | guess not!"
| Her face was absurdly distorted
with pain and anxiety Her fists were
| clenched. She summoned her courage
for the last despairing stroke. ooh, she
| paints, Mr.. Bonistelle! She paints
| her face like clown! You wouldn't"
Hall laughed aloud. For heavens
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, F1odie; 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
| shipper and a smile. Il don't know
that ought to shake hands with you,
Mr.. Bonistelle! You're 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
were, for the first time. His first re-
mark lacked conviction. ooh, I've
been busy-Renai That ''Rena"
barely saved it.
Busy Oh, you're always too busy
for poor little me- I'm sure you'll
take horrid picture of me-and did
so want to get good one today!"
Mrs. Royalton ratified on, taking off
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 distract. He broke
| away nervously and went to work. 1t
was his custom to engage his object
In conversation, permitting her to
| change position, talk, drink tea, firt,
| 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 triumph
of art and naturalness.
But at the mercy of his obsession,
this method was impossible today.
Hall was too busy 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 with
an untitled finger, cried "There!" and
slipped in a plate. THE fact is, I am
bit worried today" he confessed.
Gust look bit over that way. That's
right! Fine!" He deftly pressed the
| bulb.
She went up to him and patted his
arm. ooh, you poor dear man! Oh,
wish could help him OUT"
"Oh, no, I'm afraid you can't help
me-" he said irritably. 81 wish to
heaven you could. Now look up" he
commanded Then he dived under the
focusing cloth, and emerged to say,
ITS partly you that I'm worrying
about, though. Rena."
About me? Mo-" Mrs. Royalton
was delighted.
Eyes, l am, really" He went up to
her and adjusted her jabot.
Her eyes went off at him like a
double-barreled shotgun in an explo-
sion of eoquetry. II suppose you tell
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 p
She was hungry for more.
wait till | get another picture.
Hall wheeled his camera into new
position, wondering what to say next
She was animated enough, now, her
big eyes fairly blazed The tigress
had scented the antelope.
For some time he held her off while
she leased for further revelation, in.
day, and If he was then in the same
mind permission would be given him