Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-03

! of manner. Both the smile and the in.
| decision faded from his face. and lines
OF business care came on his forehead.
Tell BendiX I'll be right over" hs
directed and Hunt, bowling again in Miss
| Molly's direction with that eNasperatinG
! Difference, promptly withdrew.
Call him back" insisted Molly hastily
You forgot that you were going with
me, | guess"
Her father turned to her in wonder.
"Molly, this is business" he sternly in
formed her. You are OBTAINING me.
You might have Bert go with YOU" and
he hurried out, leaving her to stand
there alone, perpleSed, bewildered, angry.
She sat at her fathers desk, and took
up his telephone. called Bert's number,
and waited in disturbed thought. She
still felt the necessity of rescuing her dog
from his uncomfortable surroundings, but
she had lost the JOY OF imperious in
sistence
"Hello. Molly" he returned. what
cid you forget for the party?'
THE party's all right, but Smash is
in the dog pound" she briskly informed
him, judging. even from his modified
tone. that he was very busy.
81 forgive him that piece he took out
Of my leg, and I'll send right up for him
Shall 70"
mo, 1 think not" she hesitated. I'm
going myself. and I wanted you to go
with me; but you're dreadfully busy
aren't you?'
'I wasn't too busy five minutes ago,
but I Just got word from SledEe and was
leaving the office when you called. I'm
dreadfully sorry. Molly" and his voice
told the sincerity of his regret. "If you
can wait I'll call for you as soon as
leave Sledge,"
THANK you, but can't wait" she
sweetly informed him.
hat uyaa hon An
which made other men hurry when he
sent for them like maid answering
bell?
Suddenly her white teeth flashed in
laugh. and, with wickedly spS king eyes,
she grasped the telephone, leahng rapidly
through the book with her dlsengaged
hand for the Occident Saloon. She called
for that number and waited with trace
of trepidation. 1t was shocking place,
no doubt. infested by gruff people. To
her agreeable surprise a well-modulated
voice answered.
Els this the Occident?' she asked.
Yes. madam" replied the voice, thor
oughly respectful, which was shock num-
ber two.
May I speak to Mr. sledge, please?"
"rll see, Who is it?''
Must I give my name?' she worried.
mo, l guess not replied Phil, after a
moment OF hesitation. "Ill Try him out
anyhow"
Phil hurried back to the lutte office
where Sledge sat in earnest conference
with Bendix and gave the third astOunded
glance of the morning at the amazing
spectacle of a beer pitcher hIled with red
roses which stood on the bare table.
Telephone for you" he eurtly informed
Sledge. his method of showing difference
to that great man consisting in extra
gruffness.
who is it?" demanded sledge. without
turning,
Lady"
mot here"
Il know" agreed Phil But this ones
different Just from her voice alone I'd
90 to jail, especially II she said Please
There was something in Phirs initiative
ennnciation OF that last word which
brought the ponderous Sledge to his feet
at once, as If he had been raised by an
invisible derrick. and he went TO the tele-
phone beaming in a manner to render
speechless the nabituss OF the Oceident.
"Helo! his base tone attempted TO COO
into the telephone. us this AIollyY"
'Its a good guess" she acknowledged
really a little taken aback BY ID.
Phil described your voice, he told her,
leaning a big elbow on the back bar for
a comfortable chat and smiling ave-
somely into the instrument
Phil she repeated, a trihe frightened
at her unknown circle Of aequalntanses.
Who's Phn?"
You don't know him. he assured asr.
He's a bartender here.
oh" calculated Molly family. ana
then stern resolve came 10 her rescue.
Are You very busy. Mr.. sIedke9"
'NaW!' he cordially reassared her.
Il MAS AFRAID that maybe gon were
'o9 BUSY sne faltered. rezFstIul noW ihal