Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1916-02-18

guess that's settled, then. Rosamund's
i'll"
Flodie. unable to control herself, had
risen and was making for the stock
room. when he called her back. "Say,
Flo. wait a minute" He went up to
her kindly. perhaps after I'm mar
ried we can arrange it somehow"
"Oh. no, Mr.. Bonistelle," Flodie
shook her head decidedly. Il shall go
over to Deerfield. You know he's
wanted me to come for months"
He turned to her suddenly. On
1t, Flo. ] don't want you to go to Deer.
field! He's a beast! l can't bear to
think of his ordering you round"
"Oh, that doesn't matter, now. The
only thing I'm afraid of, Mr.. Bonistelle
well, mind"
"What?"
ooh, we'll, nothing; only-I'm so
afraid that when you get your money
YOU won't ever do anything more.
You're SO lazy you need to be poked
all the time. Do you think Mrs. Royal.
ton, or Carolyn Dallys, or Rosamund
will care a snap for your art, or for
your talent, or anything but your
money!"
He went over to her and patted her
on the back affectionately. Say, Flo,
l believe you do like me, after all.
Don't you worry, little girl, I'll pull
through all right. You see, when Rosa,
mund is my wife" Again the tele.
phone bell rang.
Hello" he shouted, and then again,
more gently, ooh, hello! oh, yes,
the phone was busy; someone just
rang me up -. too bad. Oh, nothing
important What is it? -. Yes?
What, not really? -. Why, I'm
tickled to death, Carolyn, of course
but-well, why-why, don't you see,
it's so sudden, you know, and-well, 1
hadn't expected to hear from you sc
soon. You see l had no idea-what is
it? -. Oh, don't say that, please! -.
I'm perfectly delighted-it takes my
breath away, that's all -, Why, yes.
No, only l was just going out. Really
I have got to hurry =. Well, all right,
then. Yes, good-by -. No, good-by!"
He hung up the receiver and whirled
to Fodie. did you get that, Flo? Car.
olyn Dallys! She's accepted me, too.
What the devil am l going to do"
Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrg! Another call. Hall
picked up the telephone grimly. "Rena,
I'll bet a thousand dollars!" he whis-
pered. Hello! Yes, yes, yes, who is
it. for heavens sake? Oh! oh, hello.
Rena! What's that? Confound this
Speak louder, can't your"
He covered the mouthpiece and
scowled at Flodie as he listened.
'Rena's saying 'yes!'" he announced.
Then, into the telephone he cried an
grily, 81 can't get a word you say!
Poor little who? No, it's no Use Oh,
yes, l get that-yes! Fine! No, I'm
horribly busy, anyway. Call up later.
All right, then, / understand. To
Bang went the receiver on the hook.
We'll, I've settled her for a while, any
Then he rose. Say, for heav-
sake, what's happened to all those
three women all of a sudden? Why
couldn't they say yes this morning,
when I asked them? Lord, it takes a
to make trouble, every time. 1
guess I'm in for 1t, now, anyway, and
millions in it, Flodie!" He
looked at his watch again. "Gee!-
nalf-past three already. Only-let's
see-nine-no, eight hours and a half.
Lord, I've got to chased" He put on
MS hat.
"Mr Bonistelle!" F1odie rose and
put her hand down the neck of her
81 think I ought to give this
back to ~you-now!" She drew forth a
little gold locket, unclasped the chain
and handed it to him.
He looked at her in surprise. Lord,
should think you were going to COM
suicide or something rash, Flo.
Don't be SO silly! Imagine your being
se~ntimental!" He refused to accept
The token.
But your wife might object, Mr..
Bonistelle!"
For heavens sake, let her object,
he exclaimed. Don't be a fool!
Why, I gave you that as a friend, that's
Ill, didn't 1? No one could possibly
that. You know there's
never been any onsense between us,
Flo; we're just pals, aren't WEI"
Flodie turned away and sat down
nopelessly. Eyes; just good pals. No
nonsense whatever" She smiled wanly.
Funny thing, too, when you come to
think of it, isn't it?"
"Why?" She looked up, startled.
"Oh, l don't know-here all day
alone, working together, and all that
of thing-it's a wonder we never
fell in love or anything, isn't it? Pro-
pinquity, you know-Supposed to be
dangerous"
Flodie looked up, frightened, and
clutched her heart. Hall was gazing
0nf tho Uipdow lict1aceI, Cbo o-, b;o