Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-06

-
AN ENGAGEMENT WITHOUT A KISS
Bert, annoyed by the events of the eve
ninS, but relieved, to some extent, by
Molly's ineXplcable and delightful change
of manner toward him in the pleasant
half hour before the party had dispersed,
took his thoughtful place in Sledge's ma
chino and prepared for the usual welcome
silence, Which those who knew him had
a right to expect from the reticent boss.
To his surprise, however, Sledge talked
Great party Molly had" observed the
donor of the fireworks and the music and
the passes and the red roses
"A feverlsh success" agreed Bert.
Molly Is inclined to give You all the
credit for it,
she can have anything she wants."
stated Sledge. I'm going to marry her 4"
Did she say so?" inquired Bert, star
lied and Inundated
Not yet acknowledged sledge. She's
thinking 1t over"
Oh returned Bert. much relieved. and
smiling In the darkness. He complacently
tWlrled his mustache. lie had a good one
on Molly.
What time am / to see you in the
morning about that Porson property?" he
inquired, determined not further to dis
cuss the lady.
ELEVEN o'clock"
Bert went into the house, half amused
and wholly veXed, 1t might be very funny
to see this blundering big boor making a
fool of himself, but the Joke was entirely
ruined by the fact that at the same time
he was making fool of everybody else.
Bert knew, to the share. how much
street railway and Gas and Electric stock
Marley held. The growing city needed
vastly increased transportation facilities
and with the increase of these would
come an increase of Marley wealth and
influence. 1t might be a very handy thing
for young real estate dealer to have the
president of a rapidly expanding street
railway company for a father-in-law He
went to sleep, dreaming pleasantly of ex-
tensions and subdivisions and advance in
formation on factory s!tes-and of Molly,
of course!
He awoke, determined to concrete these
dreams or to dismiss them and find
others. Molly had either to accept him
or definitely to turn him loose after what
other fish there might be in the sea. The
absurdity of having Sedge for a rival
was too much to endure,
lie went to his office, dividing this train
of thought with his plans for the market
ing of the Person tract, hurried to the
First National to secure a loan of $4,000
on the new property, and arranged, at
the German Bank, for an extension of
certain other loans which would have to
be deferred If he used his S10,0 coo available
funds to complete the cash purchase
gent matters disposed Of he called up
Molly.
May l come out?" he demanded.
"When?" drawled lansuid voice.
Right away"
NO" she drawled again.
But, Molly. l must see YOU" he Sc
rlously insisted. ITS important"
ut always is" she laughed. whats
it about this time?"
"oh the same old thing" he acknowl-
edged; "only more so'
You're crowding them closer together"
chlded Molly. Moreover. this is the first
time by telephone, think"
~ didn't mean it to be So" he apollo
gized you've trapped me into 1t. and
taken away any chance might have of
persuasiveness. Now suppose 1t will be
the same old answer"
mot necessarily" was her astounding
reply, in the same sleepy drawl
WHAT" he gasped. Say that again"
mot necessarily" she repeated, and he
caught the sound of a repressed giggle,
You're teasing me-" he protested.
you don't mean that I'm to have the
right answer this time"