The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1915-10-28
CHAPTER xlI-contlnued.

DOuut tWtul1 MtIt III lit ltNtDtiOn
room. dancing or watching the
dancers. The evening grew in life
and merriment. Mr.. Doremus, back
from his interview with Flodie, was in
fected by the revels. He blossomed
suddenly and Unexpectedly into hilar
ity, and encouraged and stimulated by
the gayer of the young actresses, be-
came. in spite of himself, the center of
the party. The company did not let
him of till Alfred Smallish. blushing
furiously, appeared in the doorway.
Supper is ready mean-er-sup-
per is served" he announced, and
coughed into his hand.
The three soubrettes who had been
pelting Mr.. Doremus with pinks, now
surrounded him, bound him with ever
green garlands and carried him of en-
slaved, through the office, where Flo
die was presiding over tables OF salad
and sandwiches, into the reception
room, where they enthroned him on an
old Spanish chair, and waited on him
like houris. The gentlemen rushed
back and forth with plates and nap
hlhot tNti1 bOAy DNboh W TAIN ohN
laugh. Beer bottles popped.
Hall was now becoming desperate.
II did not seem at all so easy as he
had expected. II only Flodie hadn't
got her back up so foolishly! Well,
he must at least, be off with his old
loves before he was on with the new.
And, for that, he must have the an.
swers of the two women. He left the
company and walked into the studio
Heavensl 1t was already half after
eleven. Something would have to hap
pen in a hurry, if
Carolyn Dallys appeared in the door
way, smiling. She was wearing corr
color, In a costume no man could have
described FIVE minutes after he ha(
seen It, Carolyn's clothes we're always
not only original but characteristic o
her.
She sauntered in. and dropped upoi
the couch, to look up at him good-na
turedly. Halls hopes rose. II was &c
ing to be easy, thank heaven. Sh
didn't at all have the smile of a pros
pective owner.
well, Hail." she began. you don
seem particularly anxious to see you
blushing bride. | had almost begu
TO think you we're deliberately avoit
ing me-"
Avoiding you'll Nonsense. Carr
lyn!" Hall laughed easily and tosse
her box OF cigarettes. Really, Nv
been so confoundedly busy with a
these people, and"
She broke in placidly: well. your
not busy now, are your"
Hall began to be afraid. "Oh, no.
course not. Why?" He watched hS
as II she were about to strike him.
well, then. I've made up my min
Hail."
What do you mean?" he asked, ar
assuming carelessness he was Il
from feeling. he walked to the tab
and took up flower. idly.
why. told you over the telephon
didn't II Look pleasant. Hail." 81
said; ITS yes I've decided to acce
you"
Hall grew faint II was not alol
the words that alarmed him. 1t W
the cold.blooded tone in which tn
were uttered. There was deliberai
ness. a fixity of purpose in 1t tn
threatened his complacency. Carol,
still maintained her usual jocular ma
ner, but there was something keen a
steely beneath 1t that he had never
fore felt. He rose to meet II with
his skill at acting.
Lord, Carolyn" he exclaimed, wa
ing up to her impatiently. you did
really take me seriously. this mornii
did your" He burst out into fore
laughter. "Well. that is funny; thi
OF you-of all women-getting caue
like thatl It's perfectly absurd! Y
can't make me believe you though
was in earnest. you know! That's
surd!"
So the agile trout, when he n
feels the hook In his mouth, thir
that by bold struggle he can reg
his freedom. and thrashes the p
with hectic energy. But Carolyn. W
all her humor. was shrewd cool fisl
of men. Calmly, surely, she kept
line taut. She had struck four
lions Not for a moment had she
her composure. Slowly she spol
she almost drawled.
why, yes. did. Hall! Surely.
seemed to have a lucid interval.
know. this morning, and belle
every word you said. And VIII
more" she added. Il believe 1t no'
Lazily. to and FRO. her feather fan
sweeping. 10
Hall fioundered again. wildly.
come on. Carolynl Can't you tax
joker"
Yes" she answered smilin
when see the point OF 1t. WIN
kindly explain?"
The point. Hall well knew, was
his own mouth. He dashed up
down the room fretfully, making
vent gestures. Poor fish! He
imagined he could get away from
hook Good heavena I have exDlail