Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-01-16
CHAPTER III Continued }

that we first decided on the Ridge
wood Avenue extension for the ex
press purpose of reorganization, new
issue of stock and REIMBURSEMENT Of
shares" he chillingly reminded Mar
ley.
81 know" persisted Marley. But
after mature elaboration, 1t seems
that to make the extension from the
company's earnings is the more legiti
mate business method. | am not IN
( favor of the modern practise of water
ing stock. The earnings, after all
are not increased by stock juggling.
The little secretive waiter with the
grinning black mustache came to the
door and called Bendix. Schooner
Kelly was outside, and the only way
to comfort him, unless he saw BendiX
was to kill him, and Phil did not care
to muss up the place on Tuesdays.
Sledge turned ponderously from his
inspection of the dingy little area
way as Bendix left the room.
your girls a peach" he delicately
limited
"Molly?" smiled Marley's nose
"She is beauty, isn't she? The
boys are crazy about her. 1t looks
Ilhc q COllC6C SohNShsAoAA SNl Nv AAAS
house all the time"
"You don't have to prove it, allow
ed Sledge. 'I'll bet she's busy. When
to make a date"
''It's almost like that" agreed Mar
ley. stroking the beard which 1t had
taken him so many years to perfect.
II want to get acquainted with her, y
ordered sledge, much as if he had
been sending the happy word to some
rising new politician.
A shade of annoyance passed over
Marley's brow.
THAT is a matter which is entirely
up to Molly he stated, with trace
of stiffness. -.
"All right. Put it up to Molly
said Sledge. and looked out Of the VIM
dow again.
Marley hesitated and half rose. He
knew that his call was over. and yet
he had something else on his mind.
"By the way. Sledge." he observed.
trying to speak as if the matter had
just occurred to him. THAT note of
mine at the First National-it falls
due next week I am afraid / shall
have to have an extension.
Sledge nodded imperceptibly.
'Tell Davis I said it was all right"
he directed.
Bendix returned. and with him was
Bert Glider, redolent of the odor of
barber shop. and with his curly black
mustache waxed and brilliantined un-
til it was filed with almost painful re-
Elections. He greeted Mr. Marley with
much more effusiveness than that
gentleman did him.
"Hello, Marley" he said, grasplng
the street car magnate's hand with
tremendous man-to-man heartiness
you're just the one I want to see.
I'VE been trying to get Molly on the
phone, and they tell me she'll be IN
at your Office some time this after
noon. Will you carry her the happy
news that Dick Reynolds is in town,
and that I invited him to her taHy
pulling tomorrow night? Tell her TO
invite Jessie Peters"
Sledge turned slow questioning eyes
on Marley.
"You going to be home tonight?"
he inquired
"Wen, yes, rather think SO" fal.
tered Marley.
'Im coming out to see you,' decid.
ed Sledge.
"Yll be glad to have YOU" admitted
Marley 81 suppose I may see Davis
tomorrow"
Sledge nodded assent, looking ston-
lily out, meanwhile, at the hand-hole
in the high board gate at the end OF
the areaway.
'Well, Glider, tell us about it, in
yited Bendix as Marley went out.
Il want you to tell me-" laughed
Glider, in happy Inconsistencies that
he was deadly offense to Sledge,
who called him ''pretty'; lis the
Ridgewood Avenue extension sure
go?"
= why do you want to know?' in
qhired Bendix.
II have little speculation in mind
which depends on it." confessed
Glider.
Subdivision at the end of the line,
i suppose" guessed Bendix.
"Well. yes" acknowledged Glider.
Foxy of you to think Of it, ap-
plauded Bendix. your only fault is
that you don't guess those things first.
Who do you suppose would acquire
a deed to that land before the extern
sion was publicly announced?'
II know the answer" returned
Glider, crestfallen, but still handsome.
"You fellows"
Certainly not denied Bendix.
"But some friend of the family-yes,
maybe. How much will you give for
the land?"
.Pm not at liberty to state,'' replied
Glider uncomfortably. 'The owner
made me a price on it this morning,
but it was confidential"
"The owner didn't know he was
tagged" retorted Bendix dryly. "You
may have the land, think, for twenty
thousand, Glider, but you'll have to
speak quick
Twenty thousand gasped Glider
why. old Person offered it to me for
eight"
"That's what we intend to pay him."
"Give me day or two to think it
over" begged Glider.
All ,;,rb+. xpn'ra On ~ oprapd Rem