Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-01-14
n The Best of Chester
A TALE OF RED ROSES
BY George Randolph Chester
Author q 6ee- Id. Qs'ck Wslassissd. Etc.
cssrishtsd, ne 0sbashssvea csaeesy

Das-Asssrls1 Csopeay
Ipublic theft, was received with equan
unity.
Meanwhile sledge, turning to see
who his neighbors might be, met the
eye of Frank Marley and nodded
Iperfunctorily, and then bent his entire
attention on Molly, gazing at her in
stolid concentration, with no more
change of expression on his heavy
features than If he had been read.
ing timetable. Bert Glider noticed
his rudeness and tried in d mood OF
intense aggravation to catch Sledge's
eye and reprove him with savage
frown, but he might as we'll have
tried to catch the eye of an oyster.
Sledge. perfectly contented with the
pleasing picture which sat before him,
continued to stare calmly until Molly,
discerning from Bert's countenance
that something was wrong, turned to
meet the small gray eyes of Sledge
fixed thoughtfully upon her. She
wheeled abruptly to her father
isn't that the scandalous Sledge?"
she asked. annoyed and still amused.
Her father nodded his head, and
smiled. his nose becoming still more
pointed in the process.
well, introduce him. | can make
him stop staring then" she ordered.
"He can't drive on"
'I say, Sledge,' called Marley, lean
ing forward. This Is my daughter,
Molly"
sledge tugged at his hat and smiled
his acknowledgement of the introduc-
ton.
"Glad to meet you" he told Molly.
81 didn't know you had such a fine
looking girl Marley. She's cork
err" and once more he viewed Miss
Molly with quiet appreciation. in
which there was a dawning glimmer
of quite un-Sledge-like enthusiasm.
II think so myself" laughed Marley.
First thing I know she'll be getting
married"
"Sure!' agreed Sledge, contemplat-
ing her earnestly in this new light.
"Td marry her myself"
The street car ahead gave for
ward lurch and the f1amingly ind1g-
nant Molly darted into the opening.
1.-THE ugly brute!" she gasped.
CHAPTER II.
A Little Plan for the Good Of the City.
There arrived on the morning train.
escorted to the platform by distinct
ly worshipful porter, a tall big-boned
gentleman in light gray suit of fine
texture, plump careless man, to
whom one would instinctively turn
for tediously funny story, and
hard awed man, of most forbidding
who looked about as COM
as cabbage. This gentle
man loafed about the hotel with his
mouth shut, while the other two
secuted" Promptly at eleven o'clock
they returned from their various d.
rections and gathered In the room OF
the smiling tall one in the gray suit.
"Well,'' Timbers, is it as cheerful
as we thought" asked the host, set
Ting himself in the most, comfortable
chair.
Looks gay and merry to me, Boz
zam,'' replied Mr.. Timbers, folding his
hands on his fat knee, and frowning
intently at little slip Of paper he held
between his thumb and forefinger.
:.Sledge is, of course, the whole
works"
Whats the appoarch to sledge"
tom Bendix,'' returned Timbers
consulting his slip of paper.
He Sits everything before 1T goes
to the Big Boy. and you don't need any
The best plan IS to go
right to his office and give him the
straight story"
How about Marley?"
"A fluff" returned Timbers con.
Because he's the presi'
dent of the street car company ne
thinks he invented electricity and his
noodle is swelled so that 1t cracks his
scalp"
you'd better lead me to this Ben
dix person." suggested Bozzam, ris-
ing. "Come on, Moodson."
Very automatically the silent man
arose and accompanied Bozzam from
he room, with the air of being just
as willing to do that as anything
else. Just as automatically he follow
ed into the outer Office of Tom Bendix
i've minutes later. and stood silently
~, 50 oppressive in his inertia that
10 removed to himself all speculation
about any one who was in his COM
)any.
'I want to talk electrical transpor-
alton with you,' began Mr.. Bozzam
,heerily. as he laid the cards of Mr..
Moodson and himself on the desk. Il
I'm Charles W. Bozzam of New York
md this is Mr.. Alvin Moodson of Phil
ldelphia'
Bendix shook hands non-committally !
With the two gentlemen and invited
hem to have seats.
II don't know that l care to talk
electrical transportation, bat I'm will
ny to listen,'' he smiled.
Bendix was like any other prosper
us middle-aged maxwell fed, well
lothed, we'll shod, round faced, short
ropped mustache turning slightly |
ray. and Mr.. Bozzam studied him
With careful interest.
''There isn't much to say" he stat
ID. 1--WE think your city needs new
nd better street car facilities, and |