Middletown transcript., 1915-07-17


wait a minute, pleased" she said.
1--WE always known l was an awfully
nice girl and all that sort of thing, of,
course; but didn't realize was such
a mighty influence in your life. Do you
really think that If you marry me it's
going to make all that difference to
your"
why, I'll be another person! Wen
have a glorious time, Carolyn! Wen
travel and well go"
Again she interrupted him. "See
here, Hail., haven't any money; you
know that, don't your"
He was properly indignant. "By
jove, you don't think I'm that kind
of a man, do you! l don't care wheth-
er you have or not" He waxed prop
erly heroic. Good Lord, Carolyn, do
you think l would marry for money!"
We'll, then, don't see"
He looked about the studio fatuous-
ly. "Oh, I'll-Ill work hard, you know.
I'm sure can earn enough. In fact
have splendid prospects, Carolyn, real
ly splendid"
She gave him another of her long
curious glances through half-closed
lids. You certainly are attractive this
morning, Hall. Too darned attractive!
almost believe I'll say yes, after all
But no, must think it over don't
want to be hypnotized, you know.
Good-by, Hall, I'm going" For scant
moment she paused, hesitating, self
conscious, as she looked at him with
an expression that was seldom seen
on her face. Then she took his hand
impulsively. "Oh, Hall, dear-I
thought it was all joke at first-just
your fooling-that's why was so kor-
rid. But now" Then, as Hall at
tempted to draw her nearer she sprang
away, once more prou6 and cynical.
Don't you be too sure of me, though!
may see the funny side of it again,
tonight"
by iovs, don't see how can wait
till then" he replied bravely, encir-
cling her waist. Say, Carolyn"
His lips were almost upon hers
not quite. She burst into laughter as
she sprang away. "Oh, no. Hall. moth
ing like that! I've got long way to
go, my dear, before I'm ready for the
bunny-hug! You go to work, and let
me ponder. Fare-thee-well!" Then,
without waiting for an answer, she
hoated out of the studio.
In the Office she came face to face
with Flodie. Carolyn stopped and
looked at her keenly.
"Why, Miss Fisher" she said, you
ought to get some fresh air, d'you
know it? You need a change. You're
so pale" Her intent was kind, but
to poor Flodie, who had waited In
agony for her to leave, it was infuri-
ating. She looked up, with her white
face still whittier.
I'm so sorry l frightened you!"
Flodie gave a sarcastic smile.
Carolyn stopped, as surprised as If a
woolly lamb had bitten her. She
looked Flodle up, she looked Flodie
down. Then merrily she laughed.
Good for you! Always speak up. lit
tie one! Be bright and pleasant. 1t
makes customers like you!"
Flodie met her smile for smile.
Thank you so much! And now,
would you mind telling me how to like
customers?"
Carolyn laughed again. WELL" she
said, 81 may not be a customer very
long. And then perhaps you'll like
mel"
Flodie bounced her fountain pen
down on the desk and jumped up, eyes
swapping. Into the studio she walked
Hall was heading for the dark room;
she stopped him with tragic 'Well?'
what d'you think!" he answered
"She wants to think it over, tool"
"She didn't accept you, really?" Flo
die gasped.
mo, took it as a joke. Liked it
though. What the purple deuce am
going to do?" He looked at his watch
Here it is nearly eleven o'clock al
ready, and nothing decided yet! Why
daren't even buy ring!"
At the word, Flodie gave sudden
gasp, and her hand flew to her heart
"Oh, l wish 1 could help you'll" she
sighed.
He smiled patronizingly and nodded
"Yes, l wish you could!" He started
for the door of the dark room and
paused. "You can't recommend any
one else, can you, Flodie? If could
only find someone who would say yes
and have it over, l could go right
ahead!"
She gave him such look! But the
hopelessness of it kept her dumb
Down went her eyes to shut the tears
out; Flodie turned away, pretending
that it was absolutely necessary that
the Spanish chair be moved two inches
to the right.
"Say, Flo, you think up some way to
beat this game. will your" With that
Hall shut himself into the dark room
Into the chair Flodie sank, staring
at space, deep in thought. Her fingers
worked together nervously, her brow
was puckered. How blind men were
Deaf and dumb and blind and half-wit
ted! She could not offer herself, she
loved him too we'll. Oh, never until
today did she realize how much Hal
meant to herl Now to lose him-oh
if he were really in love she might
bear it-but to have him to go like
this-look at everyone and not see heI
it was insulting-she felt numb al
the cheapness, the degradation of it
No, she was helpless-the greater the
opportunity the less could she avai
herself of it. But wasn't there any
way of showing him, she wondered
couldn't she make him feel her? Sure