Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-01-19

CHAPTER vi. Continued


CHAPTER vi. (Continued.)
Smash was at first inclined to dis.
pute Sledges right to enter his own
automobile, but Sledge rudely thrust
q huge hand within accurate biting
distance, and held it there steadily;
and Smash, after deciding twice to
snap at it, changed his mind and sniff
fed 1t carefully to remember the man,
and curled up contentedly at Mollys
feet. In spite of the fact that Slodge
was Sledge, she could not repress a
X trace of admiration for at least this
quality In him.
"That was a daring thing to do
she acknowledged, as Sledge once
more took the wheel and spun away
Suppose Smash had bitten your
He turned to her impressive eyes.
"Then lose,' he simply explained,
and leaning down he carelessly pull
ed one of the ears Of Smash, who
merely blinked. ANY place else?'
"But you're very busy she object
ed, supprcssing giggle as she
thought of her father and Bert. They
would prefer an engagement with
Sledge to her, eh? Besides she in
sisted, seriously this time Smash
hasn't had his beefsteak yet
''How much do you let him have?'
asked Sledge, as he turned sharply
over cross street
"Only pound and half" she re-
piled.
.He's in great condition" he ad-
mired, looking down at the dogs sleek
coat. and the beautiful muscles under
1t. "You ought to see my Bob
''Td love to-" she graciously re-
turned.
"Tll bring him out I'd like to match
'em."
Molly almost jumped out Of the
4 car.
"Never!" she gasped, and under
her breath, added: ''You big brute"
She positively loathed him.
They stopped with decisive jerk,
In front of clean-looking butcher
shop, and Sledge got out.
ard like to feed him cow he OBJ
served patting Smash roughly on the
head as he alighted, "but IT you say
a pound and half, that goes" and he
left Molly laughing with another I'M
accountable reversal Of feeling as he
stalked into the shop.
He came out presently with a pink
sirloin, which it YVES sin not to broil,
and held it up temptingly to Smash.
"It's yours, Smash!"
There was a flash of white through
the air. and Sledge found his biz solid
arm sustaining dog at the end of
The steak. He lowered them both to
the ground. and looked down with
profound satisfaction at the ensuing
proceedings.
"Now where?" he asked. when
Smash had cleaned the bone, and had
crunched it for exercise.
II had thought of going to the for
lists to pick out my flowers for this
evening"
aWhat kind?" he anxiously innuir-
ed. In spite of herself Molly giggled.
.Red roses" she confessed, and
laughed her laugh out
!, Really, you shouldn't have done
that Mr.. Sledge," She chided, trying
TO be very serious about it, and to in
sist on the forma!ities.
Sledge looked at her with much con-
Germ.
Il don't want to queer myself he
worried. cts too late to call 1t OF.
The wagons must be out to your house
by this time"
"The wagons she half shrieked.
eyes" he nervously confessed.
"Dillerey's only had eight dozen. l
ordered the rest from Beck's."
"How many is the rest?" she family
4 don't know till Beck gives me the
count l told him to clean up the
place. hope there'll be enough
sI'm sure there will be-" she re-
piled. with the giggle all gone out OF
her. Somehow, she had not the heart
to make plain to him just why he
should not be so lavish. THAT was
tremendously kind Of you, Mr.. sledge,
and I thank you very much
There was a florists wagon at the
rear porch and red roses were being
unloaded in bales when she arrived
4 there. also the driver, bent, ana
unveiled man, with whiskers on his
face$sau the most unexpected places,
was l,Shdling his wares with unusual
aWhtt beautiful roses!' Fern ex.
claimed. as Molly Joined her. ana
such masses of them
"AA vases. tool" cried Molly,
peerinE into the front of the wagon.
"SleSge's orders" explained the
anueaRy old man, with warm pride.
.fIe always has 'em sent up that way
to his mother We took her twenty
five dozen chrysanthemums her last
birthday"
"sledge!" choked Fern.
"sledge!" repeated Molly sooerly.
.Hes to be the life of the party:
"Well," admitted Fern, with
giggle. hes no piker.'
CHAPTER VII.
Sentiment lnterferes.
Tom Bendix, waiting disconnected
" in the bare little back room of the
Occident. looked up, astounded,
as Sledge walked in, for the boss, still
wearing his floral adornment, was
making a queer hoarse sound, the like
of which had never before escaped his
lips in the memory of mortal man. He