Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-09
CHAPTER Xy-(Continued).


you're almost as liberal as Sledge, 3"
complimented Fern. II wouldn't give
up that spangle fan for worlds. What 40
you suppose is keeping Bert, Molly?"
Hes probably slew. to use the Sledge
dictionary responded Molly calmly.
'Does that mean the same as iagged7"
"splfdicated," calculated Molly. Don't
look SO shocked, Fern. Bert Isn't in the
habit Of It. Any of the boys will tell you
that he's so sober he breaks up most of
their parties" ,.
IT believe they call it drowning their
sorrows" explained Molly quietly. He
lost everything today-money business
prospects. Sledge broke him."
Poor Bert" sympathized the warm,
hearted Fern. why, that putty-faced
old thief! Molly He did 1t on your
account! Isn't he clever! How on earth
did he work it7'
Had Bert tie up all his money. In
Guiding some he borrowed, In property
SIedRe depreciated in value, then Sledge
had the bank call the loan. Bert can't
nav. and the bank seizes the property.
Moreover, nobody will invest in Bert's en-
terprises since they know that Sledge is
against him."
Il don't blame him for getting What
does Sledge call lt|
"Slewed."
do you?"
He'll probably feel sorry for 1t tomor-
row." evaded Molly. "a mans conscience
usually hurts him when he can't eat"
They had neared the house, and now
slender figure in black came rapidly TO-
ward them.
"Is that you, Molly" inquired the anx-
ious voice of Frank Merley.
1T is your fair daughter" she lightly
assured him.
"They are missing YOU" he declared,
with all the responsibility of a successful
Snowman "The Governor and his wife,
Senator Allerton, the Mayor and a dozen
others have been inquiring about you.
You are this years prize beauty" and he
laughed proudly.
Embarrassed by the display he appar-
emily wished to make of her, Molly fol-
lowed him into the maze of gorgeous
drawing rooms. where the aristocracy of
Ring County and the State displayed its
evening clothes in constantly shifting
array.
The Mayor himself, keen-eyed young
man. with a preternaturally bald head
and a reputation which followed him
about like a black cat, came hurryins
up to her with her dance program In his
hand. With him was ganglinG old beau.
with a professional lady killer smirk,
whom he introduced by an unintelligible
name and handed to Fern as a penance
for all her misdeeds.
They're already forming for the grand
march," the Mayor informed her, as he
led the way to the big ballroom with the
magnificent pipe organ, which Molly had
coveted for a year.
The line was half formed, and the
parade was filling rapidly and with much
laughing confusion as the Mayor hurried
with her down toward the centre OF the
hall, where the Governor already stood
with his lady.
where is our place." asked Molly
figuring rapidly. There was a State Sem
ator. a world-famous sociologist, a
musician of international reputation and
three State Representatives. The Mayor
probably. would be about number eight.
"Oh. I'm not your partner" he re-
gretted, I'm not so lucky. | don't even
get TO dance with you until number
eight" and to Molly's breathless delight,
he led her straight up to the eminent
sociologist who stood Immediately be-
hind the Governor
The eminent socolosist. who. under that
title, had sounded so forbiddng, proved
10 be a young -iOolking man, with a dane
ing eye, who hailed her with joy, and
claimed attention solely on
his merits as a live member"
She found IL difficult, as he smiled so
frankly and boyishly at her to remember
that this was a man whose name was
known throughout the civilized world for |
his keen thought upon political economy
in its broadest sense. and the astounding |
part of 1t was that he was so good-lonk-
ing, graceful and self-possessed. and, |
most astonishing of all, that he imme-
diately began to talk to her about base
ball.
The equally eminent musician, just be- |
hind him, claimed Professor Watts at |
tentlen for a moment. and Molly glanced |
Ausrton. the wife of the Senator, was