The Spectator., 1916-01-07
CHAPTER xII-Continued.

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 The party was now in full swing. Some twenty were in the reception room, dancing or watching the dancers. The evening grew in life and merriment. MT. 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 off till Alfred Smallish. blushing furiously. appeared in the doorway.
 Supper is ready-I mean-er-sup- per Is served!" he announced. and coughed into his hand.
 The three soubrettes who had been pelting Mir. 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 kins; everybody began to talk and laugh. Beer bottles popped.
 Hall was now becoming desperate. It did not seem at all so easy as he had expected. If only Flodie hadn't got her back up so foolishly! We'll, he must, at least. be of 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, now deserted. to look at the clock. Heavens! It 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 corn color. in a costume no man could have described five minutes after he had seen 1t. Carolyns clothes were always not only original but characteristic of her.
 She sauntered in, and dropped upon the couch. to look up at him good-na- turedly. Halls hopes rose. It was go- ing to be easy, thank heaven. She didn't at all have the smile of a pros- pective owner.
 Well. Hall." she began, you don't seem particularly anxious to see your blushing bride. l had almost begun to think you were deliberately avoid ing me-"
 Avoiding you! Nonsense, Caro- lyn!" Hall laughed easily and tossed her box of cigarettes. Really. I've been so confoundedly busy with all these people. and"
 She broke in placidly: Well, you're not busy now. are your"
 Hall began to be afraid. "Oh. no. of course not. Why?" He watched her as if she were about to strike him.
 Well. then. I've made up my mind. Hall"
 What do you mean?" he asked, and assuming a carelessness he was far from feeling. he walked to the table and took up a flower, idly.
 Why. told you over the telephone, didn't l? Look pleasant, Hall." she said; its yes I've decided to accept you"
 Hall grew faint. It was not alone the words that alarmed him. It was the cold.blooded tone in which they were uttered. There was deliberate ness. tixity of purpose in it that threatened his complacency. Carolyn still maintained her usual jocular man. ner. but there was something keen and steely beneath 1t that he had never be- fore felt. He rose to meet 1t with all his skill at acting.
 Lord. Carolyn" he exclaimed, walk. ing up to her impatiently. you didn't really take me seriously. this morning. did you?" He burst out into forced laughter. Well. that is funny; think of you-of all women-getting caught like that! It's perfectly absurd! You can't make me believe you thought l was in earnest. you know! That's ab- surd!"
 So the agile trout, when he first feels the hook in his mouth, thinks that by a bold struggle he can regain his freedom. and thrashes the pool with hectic energy. But Carolyn, with all her humor. was shrewd cool fisher of men. Calmly. surely. she kept her line taut. She had struck four mil lions Not for a moment had she lost her composure. Slowly she spoke; she almost drawled.
 Why. yes, did, Hall! Surely. You seemed to have a lucid interval, you know. this morning. and l believed every word you said. And what's more." she added. T believe 1t nowi" I.azily. to and fro. her feather fan was sweeping
 Hall fioundered again. wildly. "Oh, come on. Carolyn! Can't you take joke7"
 "Yes." she answered smilingly, "when see the point of 1t. Will you kindly explain?"
 The point, Hall we'll knew, was in