Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-07
CHAPTER xt-(continucd).

He tm-ried down to the next corner.
and into 'be Hotel Abbot, where he mas
tily called UP Molly. That young lady.
It seemed was then in the nands of her
haird"esse'. ard could not be reached.
Highly corter4ed he called up Boz2am,
and Tas lucky enough to find that gentle
man In his room. working furioIsly with
Tinlhers over n prospectus Of the pro-
posed nav amusement company
well. It's all settled" de" a"od Bert
"1'n have that Person properly in my
possession this afternoon
"Bendiy told us we'd have to deal with
you for It." replied Bozzam. Were
ready to dlcker right nc :. | hope you've
charged your mind about holding the
tract for a subdivision
This was his way of suggesting that
he pretended to believe Bert had choice
in the matter.
"rt depends on how much you offer
me-" returned Bert, keeping up the fic-
tior.
"Twenty-fve thousand" promptly
stated Bozzam.
Bert laughed scornfrlly.
"I can sell 1t for forty by subdividnC
It." he declared
Possibly" admitted Bozzam. "But
advertising and selling will cost you
a good stiff percentage. and Will take UP
six srths of your time. We're Offering
you n quick turn of five thousand profit"
Nothing doing, insisted Bert but
made return step toward his chair II
tell You what | will do. though: close
the deal today, and I'll make 1t twenty
six"
"I wouldn't close today at any price"
responded Bozzam II want a 30-day on
tlon."
Bert frowned genuinely concerned.
There's a chance that you won't COM
plete your pu' chase" he objected
"Therc's no chance at ALL" denied Boz
zam. with pardonable pride. IF my outfit
starts to organize company, it's or
ganized."
"Then why not close for this property
Against the rules" Bozzam truthfully
informed him. "Our capitalist won't stand
for 1t. You don't need IA diagram of
that"
Bert was silent. and for the second time
that morning, stroked an idea from the
surface of his mustache.
what will you give me for a 3O-day
optton?" he inquired
Five hundred dollars
"Over and above the purchase price,"
We'll. yes consented Bozzam. after a
mome..t OF reflection. twenty-five hum
dred i. all"
AN .isht." agreed Bert. and went out
smiling. He was brilliant chap; full of
ideas!
Downstairs he went to the telephone
again, and called up the Marley residence.
Miss Molly still busy?" he asked.
Yes, Mr.. Glider" the maid informed |
him.
.'she won't be going out for an hour
or so. will she?'
mo, SIR
''All right" returned Bert, thoroughly |
and he hurried back to Sledge's |
offlce, where he found BendiX, and going |
over to the court house, they spent the .
next hour and a half sealing. binding and |
deciding the Porson estate to the shrewd |
) uung real estate specuator. who. after |
a visit to the bank with Bendix, gave up
twenty thousand silver dollars for the
privilege.
This ceremony concluded. Bert hurried
down TO the telephone, but did not wait
TO have Molly called He only directed
the maid to tell her he was coming
straight out, and then he jumped on
street car. chuckling over his clever plot
Frank Marley, as he walked into his
own residence, was by no means chuck
ing over his coming interview with Mol
" but he managed 10 save his face to
himself by persuading himself that his
'erious trepidation was grave fatherly
concern He called Molly into his den at
he end of the hall, and plunged numbly
N TO his undoing.
.fMotly, / wish to speak with you ser-
'usly." he observed, sitting down. and
her to a seat in front of him.
''Wnat Is the matter sne inquired, IN
family concerned.
"Sledge, he replied.
She sat down. and her cheeks flushed,
He had been speaking of me-" she sur
missed.
bath last night and this morning." her
ather admitted. pleased with her quiet
one. HE is extremely anxious to marry
ou. Molly"
what did you tell hlm?" she asked
THAT had nothing to say in the mat
er, OF COURSE" he promptly assured her.