Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1916-01-28
CHAPTER X-Contlnued.


He went up to her, but she dartsd
away like cat "Oh, no! Mr.. Boni-
stelle! Dop't!" she protested.
He stopped in amazement. why
not? What's the matter?"
ooh, you've proposed to three wom-
On today!" she lamented pitifully. She
sat down and looked at him with a
haggard face.
well, what II l did? They didn't
accept me, did they? Haven't right
10 ask somebody else, under the cir
ounstances-with SO much at stake?
Why, they may all refuse me, even
how; I'm not at all certain! l can't
fisk a fortune on their whims, blow
ing hot and blowing cold! D'you think
I intend to stand for this I-will-and-I-
won't business? Not much! I'm glad
they did put me of, now. It's the
1uckiest thing in the world! II gives
me q good excuse to take you. Why.
! was 30 ratified, Flodie, 1t never &C.
1urred to me could marry you"
Flodis rose; her hazel eyes snapped.
~Oh, didn't it? Well. then. Mr.. Boni-
stelle, evidently there are several
ether things that didn't occur to you!
b you think you can treat me this
vsy and expect me to stand for it,"
"What way2 Lord. haven't asked
Hou to marry me. Flo?" He stared at
her in surprise.
mo. you haven't asked mel No,
yeu've insulted me! All you've done
Il to announce coolly that you have
decided to marry mel" Flodie.
aroused, fairly stormed now.
"Oh, pshaw-I thought you under
stood, Flo. OF course I'll ask you. II
rou want the conventional, orthodox
proposal" He smiled patronizingly at
ksr whim, as at pouting child, then
ropped gracefully upon one knee.
viii ysu marry me, Flodie?"
There was new note in Flodie's
voice. mol" she cried harshly. Get
~ Mr.. Bonistelle! I'm afraid you've
nA-s q mistake. You've forgotten
who I am, haven't you? Why, I'm only
the girl with the funny facet I'm Just
. queer little tyke,' who Is always
happy! Ha! Ha! Ha! Why don'i
you laugh! l thought l always made
you smile? Just = Jolly good pail
that's all I am! Didn't you say SC
yourself7"
But, Flodie!" Hall approached hel
Dlacatingly. amazed at her outburst.
She pushed him away. mo, sir
Not much! I'm not SO anxious to bt
Q lady of leisure as all that, Mr.. Boni
stelle! What! Marry you, with al
the love left out? No, sirl shoult
say not!"
But, Flodie!" Hall could scarcel!
believe his ears. "Confound 1t. what
got into you? Why, hang 1t all. l hat
no idea you felt like that!" He stare'
at her.
She made . queer, whimsical face
ct herself or Hall, who knows?-an
went on.
mo, I'm only little Flodie, the Egg
Boiler! And you're SO used to me
that when you do want to get married
you propose to one, two, three womel
before you give me thought. l onl
come In as q last resort-Flodie, tn
Forlorn Hope! Mr.. Bonistelle, do 20
think I'm the sort Of girl to MARI
like that?"
Flodie, transformed by this Ions
pent-up rage, was a new and splendi
creature; her eyes shot sparks. tn
color famed upon her cheeks.
Hall, dumfounded, stared at he
speechless. II baby had suddenl
attacked him he could not have bee
more amazed He didn't know her |
this aspect; she took his breath ava
like a strong wind. His impulse wa
to defend himself, resist, but he wa
overcome by her emotion. He struc
out any way-blindly like swimme
In rapids; he tried to placate he
'tBut, Flodie-dear! l know-but
want you'll"
''Oh, yes, l know you want mean
why? So that you can win four mi
lions of dollars. That's all you wan
You'll have to get married, so you
better take me! | make you laugh
Oh, it's as simple as daylight, is Il
Well, I'm not so simple as | loo
When l marry man, Hall Bonistell