Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-06
ct1AprrR yt11-(Continued).


CHAPTER V1II-(Continued)
Molly pressed the arm which had Sip
ped under hers, and glanced In the unee
ton of Sledge. That huge creature sl'-
houetted against the light Of the library
window. like one Of his own cartoons, was
standing as stolidly unconeerned as IL ne
had lust ordered another stein she lelt
him to be guilty Of this surprise, and she
wondered vaguely II he could nave ulc
,otnd ,bc nroqrar She dismissed that
idea as absurd and impossible when the
singers swung into MY Old kentucky
Home" and followed with The Soldler
Farewell" but she puzzled again "ne'
the leader, after looking up at Sieose,
consulted list, and began on a swllt
succession of ragtime and shouting coon
songs. and way -down-South melodies
short program of this, and then the Volces
stopped and the seductive Instruments
strains of 1.-THE Blue Danube waltz set
the balmy air aquiver. ,- .,,
In two seconds the wide Marley poIch
was a tangle of laughing, whirling hs-
ures and the dancers Immediately Sent III
n unanimous verbal request Tor all tne
dance music in the world, specltHing u
bv name. Molly danced with Bert, and
forgot her annoyance. He was the pest
dancer in the clty-her natural partner
a I.
eight absent mothers on his own shoul-
ders was fretting over some invention
to send them home, when the earth spit
omen in the wide stretch OF vacant ianu
across the street and elected INTO the
skv. with a loud unearthly noise. ire
nendous assortment or merry ineteors'
mostly red. Roman candles, IN reckless
hrnches shot ND from behind every bush;
elv-rockets dragged their spiraling talls
through all the available clrcumamplenCe,
while fancy bombs carried their aetlai
hoaters and other brilliant pyrotechnical
surprises into all the Celesuai te'iiN'iS
hitherto unoccupied.
Through it all Sledge stood as immoV-
able and as impassive as if he mad peeh
glued TO the spot and frozen. Even When
the display flowed out into the middle OF
the highway and piled UP the street cars
for two blocks In both directions he re-
maIned a calm and dislnterested spec
tator. The president of the traction COM
many was thrown into extreme agitation
bV this excess of zeal, Tor ne had some
consideration for the feelings OF the pub
lie and he rushed right out TO restore
the scattered schedule.
n demon with a moke-blackened face.
''Why are you holding up the cars?'
"sledge's ORDERS" replied the demon,
lighting the fuse OF a red rose set piece.
"He said everything went and it's
going"
Mr.. Marley came back.
Sledge was no longer on the porch
Molly had slipped in to wrap up some
cake for Baby Peters, and Sledge' VINO
seemingly saw nothing. had followed her'
well, Is your party hit?' he anx-
iously inquired.
"It's scream!" she said, unable to
control her laughter. Really Mr..
Sledge. I have you to thank for the most
extravagantly joyous occasion at "hich
1 have ever had the good fortune 10
preside"
time" he confidently promised her'
molly, marry me-"
"oh. it's impossible! she blurted.
Really, I'm sorry, Mr.. Sledge. Know
it's my own fault, but / didn't mean II
TO go this far. | don't mean that-that
is-welI-I don't know what mean.
You've been SO good, and do appreciate
it so. but 1t is impossible! L simply
couldn't. Don't you seer?
you'll come around to 1t.
~ bet I don't" she blaZed,
''What'H you bet-Smash against BobES
Anything you like!" she angrily
agreed, furious enough to poison hini'
you're on" he said
CHAPTER TX.
MoLLIE HAS HER OWN LITTLE
PLAN,
"I thought you were gone observed
Frank Marley, as Sledge opened the door
of his den after the dispersal OF the party
"Forget something
"Ioaned my car" sledge explained. "ls
Molly engagedg'
"I'il see," offered Marley, setting for
ward decanter, II think she Is stlll In
the library"
IT mean to be married" corrected
Sledge.
mot to my knowledge" replied her
father, with q slight frown.
"Hunhr gruntsd sledge i'm satisfaction.
IT agure on marrying her myself.
. YOU" returned Marley, and the tone
was not complimentary. For moment
he looked troubled, and then, smiling
again, he poured a drink. MOLLY will
have the final say about that"
Sure" agreed Sledge That she was
highly popular was only oofroboration
Of his own Judgment. Bert Glider leads
the betting, don't he2"
'You're very close observer" laughed
Marley. "Bert's a likabe young chap"
"He won't do" decided Sledge. Lean
against him and hell squash. He's too
pretty"
"I can't discuss this any further. Mr.,
sledge." Marley announced. There is
very little / could do in the matter. any
how"
"Keep nim away" ordered sledge.
"I can't interfere" protested Marley,
wishing that he dared show his resent