Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-03
Smash Approves
CHAPTER vi.


least OF which was her misleading en-
! oouragement of Sledge. and mingled with
this was nervous dread OF what crude
advances he might feel himself entitled
| TO make.
| He handed her into the machine with
| much the same care he would have used
In protecting a pocketful of eggs, and
! seating himself beside her at the wheel,
| calmly pulled out from the curb In front
of an approaching street car, and let It
walt while he maneuvered the turn.
Arrived at the dog pound, he gave a
demonstration of how little red tape there
really is in municipal institution
Let's see your dogs" he observed
The chief dog catcher himself rushed
from behind the desk, leaving the bereft
citizen In the very midst of heartfelt
description.
have that" returned the official, with
q vince. He chewed leg Off of joe
and chased Jerry into the big Kennel
before we clubbed him into his oaSse. He
hasn't let yelp out of him since He's
Just laying right there with his eyes
open, waiting. II he belongs to the
young lady / guess we'll lock ourselves
in the next cell and let her open his
door. Is this the dog?"
There was no need to ask that, for the
sleek white animal, which had been ly-
ing motionlessly on the straw, with its
~ Tor the time when he could get out
and find the man who put him there,
at the sight of Molly forgot that there
was screen in front of him, and tried
to come straight through
Sledge knowing dogs better than the
chief dog catcher whose job had been
secured through political fitness alone,
stopped down and turned the latch and
opened the door, and, in a second more,
10 pounds OF muscle had knocked Molly
Marley off her feet and Sledge knew
better than to help her up. He walked
stolidly back to the office and when
Molly and the overjoyed Smash rejoined
him, he was giving orders.
Smash was at first inclined to dispute
Sledges right to enter his own automo-
bile. but Sledge rudely thrust huge
hand within accurate biting distance, and
held 1t there steadily; and Smash, after
deciding twice to snap at it, changed his
mind and snlfed 1t carefully to remem-
ber the man. and curled up contentedly
at Molly's feet. In spite of the fact that
Sledge was Sledge. she could not repress
a trace of admiration for at least this
quality in him.
THAT was a daring thing to do she
acknowledged, as Sledge once more took
the wheel and spun away. Suppose
Smash had bitten you?"
He turned to her impassive eyes
Then lose" he simply explained
and leaning down. he carelessly pulled
one OF the ears of Smash who merely
blinked. Amy place else?'
But you're very busy" she objected
suppressng giggle as she thought ot
her father and Bert They would pre-
fer an engagement with Sledge to her
eh? Besides" she insisted seriously
this time, Smash hasn't had his beef
steak yet.
How much do you let him have?'
asked sledge, as he turned sharply over
a cross street
only pound and half" she re-
piled.
Hes in great condition." he admired
looking down at the dogs sleek coat and
the beautiful muscles under 1t. ''You
ought to see my Bob"
I'D love to-" she graciously returned.
I'm bring him out. I'd like to match
EN-"
Molly almost jumped out of the car.
Never she gasped, and under her
breath, added: "You big brute" She
positively loathed him.
They stopped. with decisive jerk. in
front OF q clean looking butcher shop.
and Sledge got out
I'D like to feed him a cow" he oh
served, patting Smash roughly on the
head as he alighted "but II YOU saw a
pound and half. that goes" and he left
Molly laughing with another unaccount-
able reversal of feeling as he stalSed into
the shop.
He came out presently with pink sir
loin, which Il was a sin not to broil. and
held IL up temptingly TO Smash,
TITS yours Smash!'
There was a flash OF white though the
air, and SledGe found his solid big arm
sustaining a dog at the end of the steak
lie lowered them both to the ground and
looked down with profound satisfaction
at the ensuing proceedings
Now Where?" he asked when Smash
had cleaned the bone and had erunched u
for exercise,
II had thought OF going to the lorIsts
to pick out my flowers for this EVENING"
What kind?" he anXiously inquired.
In spite of herself. Molly giggled.
Red roses she confessed. and laughed
her laugh out.
"RealIy. you shouldn't have done that.
Mr.. Sledge," she chided. trying to be very
serious about It, and to insist on the for
malities.
sledge looked at her with much concern.
II don't want to queer myself he wor-
ried. IT'S too late 10 call Il on. The
wagons must be out TO your house by
this time"
THE wagons" she half shrieked
Yes" he neryously confessed. Dill
lerey's only had eight dozen. ordered
the rest from Beeks."
How many is the rest?' she family
inquired,
II don't know tin Beck gives me the
count I told him TO clean up the place
l hope there'll be enough"
I'm sure there will be- she replied
with the gisgle all gone out of her. Soma
how, she had not the heart 10 make plain
TO him just why he must not De 81
lavish. That was tremendously kind 81
you. Mr.. sledge. and I thank yoa very
much"
There was florists wagon at the rear
porch and red roses were being unionded
In bales when she arrived there also,
the driver, bent and shriveled man. with
on his face in the most une1-
peeted places Was handling his wares
with UNUSUAL care,
What beautiful rosesr' Fern exclaimed
as Molly Joined her, And such masses
OF them"
And vases too" cried Molly peerlne
into the front OF the wagon.
sledge's orders" explained the sqaQ4ky
Did man, with warm pride fze aiHtl
has EN- sent up that way 70 MS ne.hcr
We took her 25 dozen chFxsantheHtas
her last birthday
..SleoRer choked Fern.
"Siedgew repeated MqllF soberIy He'.
20 be the life Of the party
We'll admitted Fern with a|ssI
'hes no pikef
continued Il
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