The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1915-08-05

4
"Oh. waiting on customers. for one
thingl" Flodie tossed her head like a
filly.
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"
Flodie started to reply, then changed
her mind. II don't know" she said,
''Ill see."
Hall was blinking from the dark
room, loaded plate-holders in hand.
"Oh. Mr.. Bonistelle." Flodle whis-
pered despairingly. you aren't going
to propose to her, are you? oh, don't,
| don't, please, Mr.. Bonistellel"
well. what's the matter now? I
thought you wanted me to-
"Oh, but don't nowl"
"Flodief 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 thisl
Say, where's that other plate-holder7"
stelle. you'll be awfully unhappy
know you Will"
He stopped impatiently.
Unhappy! With four millions,
Flodie? With private yacht-a
| country hoUse-a villa in Italy, per.
haps-automobiles-a valet-by jove,
guess notl"
Her face was absurdly distorted
with pain and anxiety. Her fists were
clenched. She summoned her courage
for the last despairing stroke. "Oh. she
paints, Mr.. Bonistellel She paints
her face like clownl You wouldn't"
Hall laughed aloud. For heavens
sakel 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. Flodie; 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
simper and a smile. 81 don't know
that ought to shake hands with you.
Mr.. Bonistelle! You're a 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 valuable object he is expect
ing to purchase. seeing her. as It
were. for the first time. His first re-
mark lacked conviction. "Oh, I've
been busy-Rena!" 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 todayl"
Mrs. Royalton ratified on, taking on
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 distrait He broke
away nervously and went to work. II
was his custom to engage his object
in conversation. permitting her to
change position. talk. drink tea. flirt,
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 a picture for a cynic.
But Hall was too engrossed In his
own thoughts. He caught her with
an unified finger. cried "There!" and
slipped In plate. "The fact is, / am
bit worried today" he confessed.
Just look a bit over that way. That's
right! Finel" He deftly pressed the
bulb.
She went up to him and patted his
arm. "Oh, you poor dear mani Oh, 1
wish I could help him outl"
"Oh. no. I'm afraid you can't help
me-" he said irritably. II 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? mol" Mrs. Royalton
was delighted.
"Yes. am. reallyl" He went up to
her and adjusted her jabot.
Her eyes went on at him like a
double-barreled shotgun in an explo-
sion OF coquetry. II suppose you tell
that to every woman you know!"
He was in for 1t. now. "Nonsensel
It's true, Rena."
She opened her eyes still wider.
What in the world do you meant"
She was hungry for more.
wait till ! get another picture"
Hall wheeled his camera into a new
position. wondering what to say next.
She was animated enough. now. her
g. kA