The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-06-27
"A TALE OF RED ROSES"

Sledge, but | didn't mean 1t to go
this far. / don't mean that-that
is-well-I don't know what |
mean. You've been so good, and
| do appreciate It so, but 1t is i'm
possible! simply couldn't. Don't
you see?"
you'll come around to it,"
II bet | don't!" she blaZed.
II thought you were gone" OBJ
served Frank Marley, as Sledge
opened the door of his den after
the dispersal of the party. For
get something?"
Loaned my car" Sledge ex-
planned. rs Molly engaged?"
"I'll see," offered Marley. 81
think she is still in the library"
II mean, to be married." cor
rected Sledge.
mot to my knowledge" re-
piled her father, with a slight
frown.
Huh" grunted Sledge, in sat
isfaction. II figure on marrying
her myself"
| YOU" returned Marley, and
the tone was not complimentary.
For moment he looked troubled;
then, Molly will have the final
say about that"
Sure" agreed Sledge. Bert
Glider leads the betting, don't
he?"
II can't discuss this any fur
Their, Mr.. Sledge," Marley an
nounced. There is very little |
could do in the matter, anyhow"
Good night" grunted Sledge,
and stalked out of the den. He
stopped in the door of the library,
where Molly and Fern and Bert
sat chatting over the unusual
party. Want to ride home, Gid
err" he invited.
THANK you," accepted Bert,
with a glance of amusement at
the girls, and he arose.
Bert, annoyed by the events of
the evening, but relieved, to some
since the party had dispersed,
extent, by this pleasant half-hour
took his place in Sledge's machine
and prepared for the usual ST.
lence, which those who knew him
had right to expect from the
reticent boss. To his surprise,
however. Sledge talked.
Great party Molly had" OBJ
served the donor of the fireworks
and the music and the passes and
the red roses.
"A feverish success" agreed
Bert. Molly is inclined. to give
you all the credit for it,
"She can have anything she
wants." stated Sledge. I'm going
to marry her." Z
did she say so?" inquired
Bert, startled and Inundated.
Not yet" acknowledged
Sledge. "She's thinking it over"
oh" returned Bert, much re-
lieved, and smiling in the dark
ness. He had a good one on
Mollie.
What time am I to see you in
the morning about that Person
property" he inquired, deter
mined not further to discuss the
lady.
Eleven O'clock"
Bert went into the house, half
amused and wholly vexed. 1t
might be very funny to see this
laundering big boor making a fool
of himself. but the joke was en-
tirely ruined by the fact that at
the same time he was making a
fool of everybody else.
Bert determined Molly had
either to accept him or definitely
| to turn him loose. The absurdity
of having Sledge for rival was
too much to endure.
He went to his office next
morning and called up Molly.
MAY I come out?' he demand
ed.
NO" drawled languid voice.
But. Molly, | must see you,"
he seriously insisted. tits i'm
portant."
ct always is" she laughed.
whats 1t about this time?"
ooh, the same old thing" he
acknowledged; "only more So"
you're crowding them closer
together" chided Molly. More
over, this is the first time by tele-
phone, | think"
II didn't mean 1t to be So" he
apologized. you've trapped me
into it, and taken away any
chance / might have of persua-
siveness. Now | suppose 1t will
be the same old answer"
mot necessarily" was her as
founding reply, In the same sleepy
drawl.
What" he gasped.
| yes"
Eyes what?" he confusedly de-
manded.
81 will. Say, Bert, I don't like
the all-platinum settings. l like
the gold with the platinum
prongs. Size six and a half"
I'm cheated" he earnestly
complained. There are certain
formalities which l am keenly
missing. I'm coming out" a
| CHAPTER VII.
/ H. nIsL..