Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-01-23
The Best of Chester
A TALE OF RED ROSES
BY George Randolph Chester
Author Of Get Rich Quick Wa1nstord. Etc.
Copyrishtsd, Tho Bedhs. Merritt Company
CHAPTER X.

by Molly's ineXplicable and delightful
change of manner toward him in the
pleasant half hour before the party
had dispersed, took, his thoughtful
place in Sledge's machine and pre-
pared for the usual welcome silence
which those who knew him had a
right to expect from the reticent boss
To his surprise, however, Sledge talk
ed
Great party Molly had" observed
the donor Of the fireworks and the
music and the passes and the red
roses.
"A feverish success" agreed Bert
"Molly Is inclined to give you all the
credit for it."
"She can have anything she wants. .
stated Sledge "Im going to marry
her"
"Did she say so?" inquired Bert
startled and Inundated.
"Not yet" acknowledged Sledge'
"She's thinking It over"
"Oh!" returned Bert, much reliev'
ed. and smiling in the darkness. he
complacently twirled his mustache'
He had a good one on Molly.
.sWhat time am to see you in the
morning ;.bout that Person property!
he INQUIRED, determined not further
10 discuss the lady.
Bert went into the house, half anus
ed and wholly vexed. It might De
fIInny to see this laundering big boor
making a fool Of himself, but the Joke
was entirely ruined by the fact tnat
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 transporta-
tion facilities and with the increase
] ~ 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 presl-
dent of rapidly expanding street
railway company for fatherln-laW.
He went to sleep dreaming pleasantly
~ extensions and subdivisions and ad-
vance information on factory sites
and Of Molly, of course!
He awoke determined to concrete
those dreams or to dismiss them and
and others. Molly had either to &C
cent him or definitely to turn him
loose after what other fish there
might De III IAe s0o no -
If having Sledge for a rival was TOO
much to endure.
FIe went to his Office, dlvldlng tnls
train Of thought with his plans 1oi
the marketing of the Person tract'
hurried to the First National 10 Sc
cure loan of ten thousand on Luz
new property, and arranged, at tne
Eerman bank, for an extension u
certain other loans which would nave
to be deferred if he used his ten tnou-
sand available funds to complete tne
cash purchase which Bendix demand
ed. These more urgent matters as
posed of, he called up Molly
"May come out?" he demanded.
aWhen?" drawled a languid voice.
Fright away"
mo" she drawled again"
put Molly, must see you," ne
seriously insisted. Its important.
ut always is," she laughed. WHATS
Ii about this timer"
ooh. the same old thing he &C.
knowledged; "only more SO"
you're crowdtng them closer to-
pether.., chided Molly. Moreover.
this is the first time by telephone
think"
II didn't mean It to be So" he apollo
gized. you've trapped me into IT.
and taken away any chance l might
have of responsiveness. Now l sup.
nose it will be the same old answer.
"Not necessarily" was her astound'
ing reply, In the same sleepy draw.
"Whatr" he gasped. Say that
again"
.Not necessarily" she repeated, and
he caught the sound Of a repressed
you're teasing me-" he protested.
~You don't mean that I'm to have the
right answer this time"
1T depends on what you mean BY
sThe one I've always wanted" -,
what one Is that?" :srss ss>
Eyes" he blurted. Il. - 3sss ass!
eyes what?" ,stsss..$1 -. 80 -.
!! Twill your
Eyes"
Eyes what?" he confusedly demand
II will. Say. Bert, don't like the
all-platinum settings. I like the gold
with the platinum prongs. Size SIX
and half
''Tm cheated" he earnestly COM
plained. There are certain formal
ties which l am keenly missing. I'm
coming OUT
CHAPTER .XI. ....t.
Bert Glider Thinks Up Clever 6usI'
ness Trick.
Marley, with a certain physical
tauntiness on him which would have
been an indication to Molly or mental
unrest walked into Sledge's little PACK
room and found, with the Big Boy ana
Bendix a tall suave stranger IN
gray suit. who was introduced TO MIN
by the name of Bozzam.
Gust talking about you, Marley,
hailed Bendix. ''Mr. Bozzam, VINO
claims to be able to promote three
companies at once with his eyes shut,
thinks that we need new amusement
park and has heard rumor OF the
Ridgewood Avenue extension. Do you
think that would be better for the car
wis