Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-03-04
CHAPTER XXXIv.


ND all hope Of heading Sledge off. The
only thing she could do, she resolved,
in a hilarious conference with Fern,
would be to accept temporarily any
orally extravagant gift he showered
upon her. After the need for foollng
him was over she could send them
back. and this resolution once having
been formed, the girls spent much
time In eager expectation OF what
the next surprise might be. Sledge
was at least making the game excit-
Ing, and his perfectly mad, but equally
earnest, antics gave both Molly and
Fern more fun than they had ever
known.
In the meantime, while Sledge and
his cheerful co-worker, Tommy Reel
or. we're keeping the girls busy day
and night, the preparations for the
secret wedding went steadily on, as
did the business preparations of Bert
and Frank Marley. Thanksgiving day
approached and things began to focus
themselves in the Marley home, The
representative Of the upstate syndi-
cate came to town on schedule. He
spent three days in going over the
books OF the company and examining
into Marley's loans Also, he looked
ND the matter Of the franchises. The
company had been given originally
tvanty-year city charter which had
been twice renewed for ten-year peri
ods, III present renewal having three
years to run.
m looks like the regular thing he
said to Marley. I'm satisfied to give
you thirty.stx straight through Tor
your stock, take up your loans, and al
low you the difference in value; but,
before l do business I'll have to see
eledge about this franchise
1T was part of our understanding
that you were to stay away from him.,
insdsted Marley. 1T your presence
and your errand here are known,
91edee Will do something destructive.
He has 1t in for me, and will wipe
me right of the map"
HE might have it in for me, and
have to see what he can do
'I'll make 1t thirty-four dollars a
share and you see him afterward,'
offered Marley.
Nov. I'm bound to see him." de-
clared Mr. Goldman, VINO was wiry
little man of great energy and decis-
iveness. Don't you worry; he won't
connect me with you. I've been in
this game too long not to be able to
cover my tracks"
Coldman's interview with Sledge
was brief, concise and satisfactory,
and he began by stating exactly who
he was and whom he represented.
"We're looking for street car bar
gains" he explained, "and we've been
advised that stock in the Ring City
Street railway Is we'll worth picking
up at its present price Do you think
SOL"
"Uh-hunh! grunted sledge. None
for sale, though"
1T does seen to be scarce admit
ted Goldman. "Still, We'll take what
we can get If it looks good. / under
stand there's some talk of consolida.
ton"
"Uh-hunh! grunted Sledge.
..That would probably bring the
stock up to par judged Goldman.
Cant TELL" commented Sledge.
rs there any trouble about renewal
of franchises?' inquired Goldman,
bordering deeply upon whether Sledge
was remarkably frank or remarkably
adept in seeming so.
Guess not" said Sledge. IT got a
date" and he went to keep it, wearing
his new Prince Albert and his silk
hat, his gray gloves and his red rose
bud with such complacency as almost
to induce Phil to give up his job.
Marley went home intoxicated with
citation that night.
molly, girl, we've wont" he an
nounced. ''Go ahead with your we'd
ding tomorrow, and be as open about
1t as you like. Tomorrow l lift the
mortgage on this house, and sell it to
Murdstone, who has offered to buy it
as soon as can give it to him unen-
numbered. l have already sold my
stock and Berts, including the amuse-
ment park, have delivered it, and here
is the check
Il told you we would VIM exulted
Molly, and ran with the news to Fern.
I'm sorry" confessed that young
lady. ''The fun's all over
''It was fun. wasn't it?' admitted
Molly startled to find that she almost
regretted the ending of it. You still
have Tommy, though"
NO" denied Fern, "I'll have to put
Tommy in my pretty little blue car
and send them back together. Poor
Sledge!"
Here's where he gets the first
blow" sighed Molly. "You have to go
up and phone him that I'm i'll. and
can't see him tonight nor tomorrow.
"Coward!' Kissed Fern, in mock
tragedy, and went in to telephone.
She came back slowly. Poor fell
low!' she said. Honestly, it's
shame, Molly"
Molly herself was rather listless.
She was standing in front Of huge
vase containing Sledge's latest con
signment of red roses. She broke Off
one of the most perfect specimens
and pinned it at her belt.
poor fellow" she agreed; then her
eyes snapped I'm going to make
him send me his dog"
81 wouldn't dare declared Fern.
"I'd feel miserable every time he
barked. I wonder what Sledge will
do tonight"