Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-08
CHAPTER XIV.


generous thoughts. Sledge is the work.
inEmans friend.
CHAPTER XIV.
The workingman's friend did not attend
the reorganization meeting of the street
railway company. He was too modest n
man to urge his personality upon cor
poration in which he held no grea.
amount of stock so he gave Tom Ben.
dix proxy for his little so shares, and
allowed the balance of his hundred thou
sand dollars worth to be voted by his
attorney John Tucker. in that astute
gentleman's own name. Instead Sledge
with an accurate foreknowledge of what
would go on in his absence, took q little
outing, pausing, more or less incidentally.
at the home of Frank Marley.
Molly, when his name was brought up
to the pink boudoir, in which she and
Fern spent most of their unoccupied
time, considered very soberly whether
she was home or not
Il wouldn't be, urged Fern. "I'd tell
him to leave his red roses and 20 away"
Did he bring some roses Mina?" asked
Molly, with sudden sncker
Yes, Miss Molly" answered Nina her
own eyes twinkling. She was a small,
red-cheeked, yellow-haired German girl
with supernatural mack for taking
care of fluffy finery "a large bunch
He has also large paper box, which
looks like breakfast food. He gave me
five dollars"
But, Mina!" began Molly, shocked
Il know l mustn't, Miss Molly, but he
made me-
You know he did, Molly" giggled
Fern.
HE says that he has something spe-
cial for you" added Nina, grinnlng.
You'd better CO. Molly" half shrlek-
ed Fern. getting ready to cram her hand
kerchief in her mouth. HE may have
hundred for you, or even a thousand"
'Ill have to find out" suddenly de-
cided Molly. Tell him I'll be down in
few minutes, Nina" and having moth
ing to complete about her toilet, she sat
down soemnly and watched the little
Dresden clock for five minutes.
Brought some stuff for Smash"
Sledge informed Molly. when she Joined
him in the library. mike says it's
great" and he handed her a gaudy
pasteboard box.
''Ill tell Smash it's a present from
Bob" she thanked him. calling Nina
to take his roses from him and put
them in a vase.
Got time to take a ride?" he sug-
gested.
I'm afraid not, Just now" she politely
regretted.
II want you to look at house." he
told her. Senator Allerton's place.
Eighteen rooms. six baths, garage, y
acres of grounds,
I'm sorry can't go with you" Molly
replied to that. suppressing the flash in
her eyes. you know my friend Fern is
still visiting me-
Il ought to brought bigger car" he
chided himself. She's nice little
party If you don't like this place, I'll
hunt another one. You'll have the swell
est house in town, Molly"
Molly laughed gaily.
Nothing doing" she informed him in
his own vernacular, unable to avoid the
issue any longer. 81 told you in the
first place. Mr.. Sledge, that I'd never
marry you; and I meant It,"
II heard you" he returned easily. do
you like fountains in house?"
Indeed 1 do" she laughed. IT want
a marble swimming pool and a sunken
garden, and outdoor sleeping rooms and
pipe organ in a two-story music room.
That's the talk" approved Sledge, de-
lighted to hear her express a preference.
'I guess Wen have to build. Say. Molly,
do you like that electric light out in
front?'
TITS a hideous thing" she admitted,
glancing at the gaunt pole and the
swinging arc, which had always offended
her. ITS glaringly bright on the front
porch, where we don't want it, and
dark as a pocket back by the garage"
He turned Immediately to the telephone
and called up the electric light company.
Say. this is Sledge," he stated.
"Send up some men to Frank Marley's.
Move the light from their front gate
to the alley. Right away"
He hung up the receiver and turned to
Molly.
They'll be here in thirty minutes"
he promised. at had the city buy that
vacant property across the road last
night. It's to be a park. I'm goana
plant 1t full of red roses"
you mustn't do those things!" she
cried, now in acute distress. The hu-
"who says mustn't?" he wanted to
know
'T do" she told him.
'Why?"
''I don't wish to be embarrassed"
Sledge chuckled.
you'll get over that" he prophesied.
SAY who sprung that engagement on
the BladeP'
That's the last thing you ought to
mention to mer' she hared. II won't
talk about the Blade, nor anything that
was ever printed in It,"
"All right" he indulgently chuekled.
"Just so there's nothing in it,"
He left the mouse apparently sdIsneui
while Molly stood at the window with
half-chagrined smile, looking at the ugly
vacant property across the street, ana
trying TO imagine It flaming with red
roses. No doubt there would be trellised
bowers and winding paths. and all that
sort OF thing. She ached TO suggest
some freakish landscape features but
dared not. because she knew they would
be carried out with startling promptness
sledRe walked into the oceident, and
found Bert Glider waiting for him. Bert
had sad eyes this morning, and a loose
droop 10 the corners of his mouth and
WAS paler than usual but ne was
Eroomed with exceptional care, ana MS
life had been saved by a conscientious
barber. -, ,,,t,,,,
tba new hospital built on that RIVER
Visv Hin. haven't your"
ssure f" said sledge. ITS too tar OUT
Bert smiled. He knew why me river
view property Was too far out Il could
moi be sold 70 the city for enough money
While the four blocks Of worthless teAs-
msnfs which the gang had been qeisus
hss.,ian IN could