Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-01-28

up 10 lilt plilh Uoudoli. ia "hiSh DAN
and Fern spent most of their unoccu
lpied time, considered very soberly
whether she was home or not.
81 wouldn't be- urged Fern. I'D
tell him to leave his red roses, and
go away"
did he bring some roses, Mina?
asked Molly. with a sudden smoker.
Yes, Miss Molly" answered Nina,
her own eyes twinkling. She was a
small, red-cheeked, yellow-haired Ger
man girl with a supernatural knack
for taking care of fluffy finery. "a
large bunch He has also large
paper box, which looks like breakfast
food. He gave me five dollars
But Nina" began Molly. shocked.
II know I mustn't, Miss Molly, but
he made me-
"You know he did, Molly" giggled
Fern.
"He says that he has something
special for you,'' added Nina, grin
ming.
You'd better go, Molly half
shrieked Fern, getting ready to cram
her handkerchief in her mouth He
may have hundred for you, or even
a thousand"
"I'lI have to find out suddenly de-
cided Molly. Tell him I'll be down
in few minutes, Nina" and having
.. nothing to complete about her toilet,
she sat down solemnly and watched
the little Dresden clock for five min
utes.
Brought some stuff for Smash
Sledge informed Molly, when she
Joined him in the library. mike says
it's great" and he handed her gaudy
paste-board box.
'I'll tell Smash it's present from
Bob" she thanked him, calling Nina
to take his roses from him and put
them in a vase.
"Got time to take a ride?" he sug-
gested.
I'm afraid not. just now" she po-
litely regretted.
II want you to look at house. he
told her. Senator Allterton's place.
Eighteen rooms, six baths, garage.
twelve acres of grounds
'I'm sorry l can't go with you,'
Molly replied to that, suppressing the
flash in her eyes. You know my
friend Fern is still visiting me-
81 ought to have brought a bigger
car" he chided himself. She's nice
little party. If you don't like this
place, I'll hunt another one. You'll
have the SWEETEST house in town.
Molly
Molly laughed gaily.
Nothing doing" she informed him
in his own vernacular, unable to avoid
the issue any longer 81 told you In
the first place. Mr.. Sledge, that I'D
never marry you; and l meant it,
II heard you," he returned easily
do you like fountains in house?"
Indeed | do she laughed. ~ want
marble swimming pool, and sunk
en- garden, and outdoor sleeping
rooms, and pipe organ in two-story
music room"
That's the talk approved Sledge,
delighted to hear her express a pref
erence. 81 guess we'll have to build.
Say, Molly, do you like that electric
light out in 'front.'
''It's a hideous thing" she admit
ted, glancing at the gaunt pole and
the swinging arc. which had always
offended her. tits glaringly bright
on the front porch. where we don't
want it, and dark as pocket back
by the garage"
He turned Immediately to the tele
phone and called up the electric light
company.
"Say. this is Sledge," he stated.
"Send up some men to Frank Mar
ley's. Move the light from their front
gate to the alley Right away
He hung up the receiver and turned
to Molly. :.
They'll be here in thirty minutes"
he promised. 81 had the city buy that
vacant property across the road last
night. It's to be park. I'm goana
plant it full of red roses"
"You mustn't do those things she
cried now in acute distress. The hui
NOR of it was gone.
"Who says I MUSTN'T he wanted
to knox.
81 do" she told him.
"Why?"
Il don't wish to be embarrassed"
Sledge chuckled.
You'll get over that he pro-
phesied. Say, who sprung that en-
gagement on the Blade?"
That's the last thing you ought to
mention to me-" she Jared II won't
talk about the Blade, nor anything
that was ever printed in it,
"All right" he indulgently chuck
led. Just so there's nothing in it,
He left the house apparently salts
fed, while Molly stood at the window
with a half-chagrined smile, looking
at the ugly vacant property across the
street, and trying to imagine it fam
ing with red roses. No doubt there
would be trellised bowers and winding
paths. and all that sort of thing. She
ached to suggest some freakish land
scape features, but dared not, because
she knew they would be carried out
with startling promptness.
Sledge walked into the Occident
and found Bert Glider waiting for MIN:
Bert had sad eyes this morning and
loose droop to the corners or MS
mouth. and was paler than usual: but
he was groomed with exceptional
care and his life had been saved by
a conscientious barber.
you've given up the idea of having