Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-17
q TALE OF RED ROSES

4 wish ! could sleep until 10. am
when ! wake up find that it's all right
Molly worried. III YOU and Bert are
not entirely out of all business deals In
this town 10y our wedding day, Sledge
viii see to H. II he has TO move heaven
and earth TO accomplish II, that we none
OF rs have o dollar and by that ! mean
absolute pauperism. IN the best and most
thoroughly mclodramatic sense
He has tho most absurd way of max
ing love- commented Fern ITS like
the old cave-dweller plan OF killing on
the family. batting the fair maid on the
head with a club and letting her wake
up In her new home"
not Sledge. He does his love-making
with rod roses" laughed Molly: tons
proposition. lie has reduced everything
! in life TO dollars and cents. and he thinks
! that II he can only break Bert and
father there1l be no wedding bells for us.
Rert and will each he compelled to seek
more lucrative match"
She glanced smilinyly at Bert and sur
prised on his face "A curious expression
which PLUNGED her into deep and not
overly pleasant thought
He'd nave bluffed me long ago" con-
Cessed Fern. I'D have been so scared to
death that by this time I'd he sending
out af;ernoon-tea invitations on his busi-
ness stationery"
You spiritless wretch" chided Molly
at might not lie SO bad after all" re-
turned Form. crsisting. now that she
had started, in revealing the entire depth
of her depravlty. ~ suppose ! ought to
ba ashamed TO acknowledge it, but I like
sedRe"
YOU may pack up your things and 20
home. laughed Molly not really blaming
her for the sentiment, however. You're
positively hopeless, Fern"
AN right" insisted Fern ~ don't
think there'd he any more fun than tam.
ing and managing big brute like him"
Throw her out" begged Bert she's
dangerous,
Mollys anxiety was 10y no means
feigned, for the next morning, at 10
o'clock, sh" called up her father at his
Office and asked him II he had received
an answer to his telegram. In rather a
Worried tone he replied that he had not.
hut thar he would let her know as soon
as he had done 50.
She wandered about the house quite IN
at ease; then, unable TO content herself.
suggested TO Fern that they make ready
for drive. When they were ready she
hesttated a moment or two in front of the
telephone. hut conquered that temptation.
Instead, she made their first stop at ner
fathers Office. and with n curious degree
of consideration. waited in the little red
reception room to he announced. She was ,
told to come light I'm, and found Bert
with her father.
Marley silently handed her a telegram
II read:
our Mr.. Goldman will see you in two
weeks from to-day"
Two weeks " sha worried Cant YOU
possibly hurry them up?"
impossible TO arrange earlier date"
Hunts resignation was in my mail |
this morning stated Marley. with forced |
GuietnesS.
He has taken a position as secretary /
win SIedg"s company and I suppose /
haIf my office force will follow him"
Two weeks" speculatcd Bert: then he .
added impatiently: "Confound it. Mar .
lev I'm in a pretty pickle If we can't |
clear our skirts Of this thing | borrowed .
me money to buy up MoOdson's stock .
from some friends of mine and on my un-
supported note. To lose would mean the
absolute end OF my social standing. here
Or anywhere"
Wen see that YOU get yours first"
offered Marley. whose respect for his SON
n-law-to-b" was only superficial.
didn't mean to urge my personal ,
claims above yours Bert hedged his
however. only slightly modi-
fed. THE fundamental fact is that we
must gain time"
II don't see how. unless Molly marries
Sledge, suggested her father with
auCh.
Molly started TO laugh, also, but found
Bert looking at her speculatvely.
she doesn't need go that far" he
nused
Molly looked at him in sharp incredulity
Tor a moment; then, without a word she
urned TO leave the room
Where are you going?" asked her
father.
"Tc see sedge," she responded II
hink YOU told me that he is always at
he bank between II and IL in the morn
ng."
Molly" commanded Bert sharply. re-
'allod 10 his senses by her bearing you
mustn't see him. forbid it,"
81 am taking your advice. but | refuse
o take your orders" she calmly informed
lim. surprised to find in herself an incl-
nation To gisgle over her use of that
iplendidly ringing remark molly will
shield YOU from all harm" she added. and
,he was snickering when she rejoned
Fern.
Whats the joke" asked that young
ady. i've been dying all morning to
near somebody gisgle."
you're to chaperon me while | go over
md make love to Sedge," Molly gaily in
ormed her.
You're not really" protested Fern, de-
lighted, nevertheless.
81 am really" retorted Molly, her eyes