Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1916-02-25
CHAPTER XIII.

Hall, meanwhile, was near the boil
ing point of his rage. He had been
defeated by Carolyn's cleverness. He
was furious at her, at himself, at
everybody. Here we're two women,
now, who had a hold on him-and be-
fore long there would be three! Never!
Hall swore it with a round oath. Mrs.
Royalton, at least, would not triumph.
She hadn't Carolyn's brains, she hadn't
Rosamund's disarming beauty. She
was, when it came right down to it,
more or less of a fool. Why not ignore
her, and make a last attempt to win
Flodie? He looked up at the clock.
Good heavens! 1t was already twenty
minutes to twelve! And his four mil.
lions were no carer than ever. He
jumped up impulsively, and strobe to
the door.
The company had about finished
supper. The little orchestra had
started up again, and had begun on a
new turkey-trot. AS a proof of its in.
sidious charm, who but Jonas Hassing.
bury himself had ~succumbed! He was
dancing with the fair Rosamund. Mr..
Doremus, still surrounded and petted
by the three pretty actresses, was tell
ing a funny story. There was a sharp
squall of laughter as he finished.
Where the devil was Flodie? Hall
peered from behind the ~portieres, so
as not to be seen himself. In a mo-
~ ont che nnanrond frnva tho cfao1yr4@-o
with a plate of ice cream, and, smiling,
passed it to Mr.. Doremus. Then she
looked up, and caught Halls eye. He
beckoned and she carelessly ap-
preached the studio.
AS she crossed the threshold Hall
caught her by the wrist and drew in.
She looked up at him, a little fright.
ened.
"F1odie,' he exclaimed wildly, Flo
die, l can't stand it any longer. Don't
keep it up any longer, dear! Say, yes
can't you? Flodie, for Gods sake"
She looked him up and she looked
him down, and anger was in her eyes.
II gave you my answer, Mr.. Bo~nistelle.
Didn't you understand me, this after
noon?" She backed off, preparing to
leave.
He seized her again. "F1odie, I
won't take no for an answer. l love
you too much!" He fumbled in his
pocket and drew out the ring. Here,
take this, Flo; wear it, won't you?
And, as soo as l can get Mr.. Doremus
In here, I'll put another n on our
finger that1l make us man and wife!"
She took it. and tossed it across the
studio. 1t bounded along the floor.
NO, thanks, Mr.. B~onistelle! You'll
have to excuse me, I'm busy"
But heavens, Flo, look at the clock!
It's nearly twelve! l have only fifteen
minutes more, Flo! Don't urn me
down! Oh, l want you So, Flodie-
won't you"
Now she turned on him with scorn.
"Oh, that's why you're in such a hurry,
is 1t? I thought so. Take one of
those three women you have proposed
to-they'n do for your purpose
they'll help you out, any n of them.
You have only to say the word. Whistle
and they'll come to you. There's Mrs.
'Royalton. now! Marry her! You've
got ten minutes left-go ahead, / don't
care!" She paused on the threshold.
I'll send her in. She'll make you a
good wife-she's had a lot more e
perience than / have! Good luck!"
Hall, left alone, walked up and down
the studio angrily. He was so en-
crossed with his thoughts that he did
not e Mrs. Royalton, who had en-
tered a moment after F1odie left, until,
turning suddenly, he all but ran into
her. Rena, beaming, ELUSIVE, held out
both her hands, caught his and laid
her dark head against his shoulder.
"Oh, HALL" she breathed.
Hall tried unsuccessfully to free
himself. whats the matter now?"
he asked.
She looked fondly up into his face.
"Oh, Hall, didn't you understand what
/ said over the phone?"
A sudden thought came to him., a
desperate expedient. Any stick to beat
a dog with; any excuse, however ri
d%iculous, would do for a quarrel with
this clinging sickening female. He
must get rid of her. So, quick as a
flash, he took up her words and
plunged into a histrionic rage.
ooh, I understand it right enough
That's the trouble, l understand it toe
we'll. Well, you've put me out Of my
misery, all right. Thank God, you did
it while there was time for me to es
cape worse!"
"But I don't mean that, Hall, real
ly-"
mo, you mean you only wanted to
lure me on-get me to propose, and
then throw me down! know! All g