Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-08
I TALE OF RED ROSES


FIFTEEN thousand" grunted Sledge,
Again Bert smiled. When the site had
been talked Of for hospital purposes, the
Blade had stated that II would be bought
for seventy-ive Also, he remembered
that Pelican, who was strongly men
toned for Governor on the reform
ticket, had been almost hydrophobically
in favor of the River View Hill loca-
ton
How long will you hold II for me at
that price?' he asked.
What do you want IL for?'
AN investment"
Two days"
"Thanksl" acknowledged Bert, rising.
You haven't changed your mind ABOUT
the Rdgewood eXtension?"
"Nawl" returned Sledge. you're pro-
tected; go Is Marley"
Quite satisfied and even elated, Bert
walked out. He had evolved beautiful
plan for taking advantage of Sledse's
coming downfall. He would form an OPP
Grating company to buy UP all the sites
which, like the River View Hill location,
would be of enhanced value when the
Sledge gang was turned into political
nonentity by the revival OF the pubic
funds scandal. Clever? He patted his
mustache with marked appreciation. Molly
would appreciate his stroke.
The yellow-halred bartender. who had
Just come on for the noon rush. carried
Sledge's stein of beer In to him, and
laughed as he set II down.
Bert had fine dill on last night"
he observed.
"IIunhl" commented Sledge, reaching
out for the stein and turning to his IA
vorite landscape
Celebrating" Blondy went on. Think
I'll have to snitch on him little, Chief,
He's passing you a double x.
"Naw!' protested Sledge.
"All right maybe you know" insisted
Rlondy Just the same, he claims the
girls wearing the ring. It's a secret en-
gagement, until he can throw the hooks
into you on that Porson property-and
some others Some Others"
"Souse talk" judged Sledge, but never
theless, he looked at Blondy speculatively.
There's two kind of souses," stated
Blondy, out of his long experience.
"Bert's is the other kind"
Sledge looked through the hole In the
gate for a long minute, then he put
fresh rose In his buttonhole, and went
to the telephone.
Molly Marley tried to evade coming to
the telephone, but Sledge impressed Nina
so much with the Importance of his mes
sage that Molly consented to talk with
him, mainly because she had determined
to stop his annoyance
"Hellor' she said rather crisply Into
the telephone. She was surprised at the
rumblng harshness of the return voice.
"Well, I'm wise" Sledge bluntly in
formed her. Pretty Bert has babbled."
"What do you mean?" she inquired.
surprised out of her intention of taking
the conversation into her own hands.
"He got stewed last night" explained
Sledge. HE was celebrating and spilled
it."
"I don't understand" faltered Molly.
Come Off" scorned Sledge Pretty
Bert hlowed the whole works. He picked
out the Occident to do It, You're still
engaged"
Suppose we arew retorted Molly an
it?" HE'"S' ""'' are you gong 10 10 ABOUT
Smash nim" stated sledge. "I told
him I would"
"You better not" warned Molly,
furious with every male human being in
the world; Bert and sledge in particular.
Hell be smashed in five minutes"
Sledge informed her.
II dare you!" threatened Molly.
You're a corker" chuckled Sledge,
delighted with the defiance in her voice.
you goana get back at me; hunh?"
Bert will" she promised. "He can
put you in the pententlary. Mr.. Sledge."
What" he rumbled. THAT pinhead!
Goodby."
"Wait a minute" she hastily stopped
him, What are you going to do?"
Call up the Blade"
THE Blade!" My name mustn't go in
the paper"
Sure not" Sledge comforted her.
They've already got their orders about
that. I'll just tell 'em tho new amuse-
ment park will be on Lincoln road. The
Ridgewood avenue extensions off. and so
is Bert"
"And so are you II Bert tells what he
knows about the public funds invest
ment! she triumphantly told him
you'll go to the penitenitiary!"
I'm goana find out" he said.
CHAPTER XIV