Middletown transcript., 1915-10-09
CHAPTER xIV-contlnued.

"Mr. Doremusi" she calculated. II
heard something about Halls losing
mOney-his uncle's will, you know
that was a mistake, wasn't it,"
How a mistake, Miss Dallysi
wasn't aware that you were interested
in the subject, and hardly know to
what you refer"
why, 1t was all in the papers this
afternoon wasn't it? Everybody knows
about III"
"Ah." said the lawyer, 81 would ad-
wise you not to put too much faith in
the papers. Miss Dallys."
But It said that Hall would get his
uncle's money"
Rosamund, who had joined her,
broke ln-'If he was married on or be-
fore his twenty-eighth birthday"
Mrs. ROyalton was also in it, excited
Iy-"And he's twenty-eight tomorrow
no. it's todayl"
Mr.. DOremuB stood, with his hands
behind his back, watching them i'm
passiVely. "Ah, my dear ladies', that
Just shows how little one can depend
upon the daily press. On and after,
reporters love such expressions. They
positively seem to think that no docu-
ment Is complete without that par
ticular term"
But isn't 1t ON or before'?" they
demanded.
Not at all. Not at all. The phrase
is, to the best Of my recollection, be
fore he has attained his twenty-eighth
birthday In the Interpretation of the
law, ones birthday begins at midnight
preceding such date. Mr.. Bonistelle's
chances for inheriting, therefore, lapse
at twelve o'clock"
One and all turned to gaze at the
clock. "And now, it's ten minutes
past!" cried Carolyn.
$50 it seems!" said Mr.. Doremus
And now, ladies, is there anything
else l can do for you? If not, l must
rejoin Mr.. Hassingbury and discuss
his legal arrangements" With low
bow he passed at once out of the room
For a moment the three ladies. non
plused, were dumb. Then, slowly, Rosa
mund turned to Carolyn, all her rancol
gone. WELL" she said, don't that
beat anything you ever heard in youl
life?"
1t was evident by Carolyn's ironiC
smile that she considered the remark
inadequate, but even she could do nc
better. Mrs. Royalton was more eff
fective. She burst into tears.
Rosamund began to storm. why
hok hok
the only word for it,"
Lord, don't be fool" said Carolyr
finally. I'VE got the wrong tip, that
all. But seem to see, now, why Mr.
Hall was in so much of a hurry"
I'm going home!" walled Mrs. Roy
alton. dabbing her eyes.
"I'm not, till give him a piece o
my mind!" cried Rosamund.
Hush! Wait a minute!" Carolyl
whispered. "Is that he out in the OF
fee, there, with Miss Fisher? Yol
wait here, girls, I'm going to call hin
int" Leaving them, she walked quietl.
to the door.
HALT Oh, HALL" she called sweet
ly. She smiled as If upon an angel
Come in here a minute, will you? Nv
got a little surprise for yOu!" Sh
darted back, and took her place wit
the others, three in a line.
He came in smiling, saw the thre
outraged ladies, and stopped, with a
embarrassed grin. What is it," h
managed to say.
"Oh, Hall, Hall, you've broken m
heartl" Mrs. Royalton wept again.
Hush up, Rena, You let me tall
Miss Gale, will you! I'd like to hea
Just what this particular sort of Gu
can find to say for himself"
"Guilty!" said Hall, seeing the ust
lessness Of protest. "Now go ahead!
Have you got any face to stan
there and calmly acknowledge
Carolyn broke in. You deliberatel
deceived US. then-all three!"
Just exactly as you deceived on
another!" he could not resist adding
At that, all three broke loose t.
gether, and, for the next five minute
Hall Bonistelle faced the music.
was not only useless, but impossible
TO answer them. He stood. with h
arms folded, bowling and smiling sa
donically.
The stiletto was Carolyn's weapol
but for Rosamund, the bludgeon. "Ah
little Jack-the-Lady-Killer are you
Three at a shot, chr" sang in betwee
You're a cad, Hall Bonistelle, your
liar and cheati" Poor Rena cou
but feebly pinch him with reproachei
she was dissolved in her woe. So
went, splitting, pounding and blubbe
ng-he ought to be horsewhippe
someone's father or somebody's brot
er should thrash him! 1t was an OF
.age and a disgrace. What If the
called in the company to publish h
rascalityT They were glad. glad, gli
he had lost his money; it was goC
enough for him!
1t was then that Hall saw a gre
light. He gave a laugh that still,
them.
''oho! The money! So that's wi
you were all suddenly so keen
marry me, was it! Why, don't s
how you women have the nerve
look me- In the tacel Why. a wont