The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-06-30
BY George Randolph Chester,
Copyrighted.
CONTINUED from Our Last issue)
CHAPTER XIV.
SIedge Goes shopping.

i oleuSe Wdlheu INTO Marley
office with his parlor smile.
which belonged of right to the
red rose he wore.
I'VE ought to figure a consoli-
dation," he suggested.
Marley looked at him wonder
ingly.
Molly was just over" Sledge
continued.
Yes, she said she was going
to see you" replied Marley,
ciutching eagerly at the straw.
Il thought she'd get enough"
stated Sledge. and he chuckled.
She's a smart girl"
Yes, she U.s." assented Marley,
wondering just how much she had
said to make such a remarkable
change in Sledge. "A consolida-
tion would probably be very
sensible thing"
I'VE consolidate after the mar
riage," amended Sledge. I'VE get
all ready now"
ANY time you say" readily
consented Marley. "I'u meet with
you and arrange the details to-
night"
Nav" refused Sledge. Thea
tire tonight"
with Molly?" inquired Mar
ley, wanting to smile.
Molly and Fern. Ferns a
nice kid"
"All right; tomorrow night.
then" suggested Marley, his
mind firmly fixed on the CONNER
cial opportunity.
Daytime" corrected Sledge.
Pm busy nights. Say, Marley,
is that game between Molly and
Bert called clear OFF,"
did Molly say so?" evaded
Marley.
No." Sledge hesitated. as it ?"
That's entirely Molly's al
fair"
81 belieye you," conceded
Sledge. and again he chuckled,
as he arose to go.
His way lay directly past the
Grand opera house, and he stop
ped at the ticket window.
Give me a box for tonight"
he grunted.
Sorry, Mr.. Sledge," replied
the ticket seller. THE only ones
we have left are on the gallery
floor, and those are so undesir-
able we never make any attempt
to sell them"
Il got to have a downstairs
box" insisted Sledge. Fix it. :"
Il don't see how | can" pro-
tested the ticket seller.
The treasurer of the theatre
came forward with calm author
ity.
Anything we can do for your"
he offered to the man who had
settled his difficulties with the
fire commissioner.
MIR. Sledge wants down
stairs box for tonight, and We
have none left" explained the
ticket seller.
"Who has them" the treas
urer wanted to know.
Governor Waver's family has
Box A; G. W. Horton has b; a
party from the Hotel Abbott"
did they take up their tickets
yet2' interrupted the treasurer.
No." returned the box office
man, displaying the envelope
which held them. The Abbott
telephoned for them, as usual,
and"
Hand 'em a gallery box" di-
rected the treasurer, and passed
the tickets into Sledge's hand.
Thanks" grunted Sledge and
stuffed the tickets in his pocket.
He headed for the Occident,
but halfway there, he turned
back and stopped at florists.
What are they . wearing to
Hamlet'?" he wantN to know.
1t depends largely on the
lady's costume" the florist ex-
planned.
Il get you," returned Sledge,
with a worried expression. Say,
you make up eight or ten fussy
bouquets, all different kinds.
Send 'em out to Frank Marley's
] house in time for the theatre. y
Just across the street from the
florists was the largest jewelry
shop in town, and the display in
its windows gave him an idea.
He strobe in, asked for the pro-
prietor. and got him.
u want a rock that weighs
about a pound" he stated.
"A diamond? Yes, Mr.. Sledge.
Something for an emblem"
Nav! Lady's ring. Solitaire
I'VE have some beauties, y
Dragged the jeweler, immediate
ly aglow with enthusiasm. Here
Is a nice little three-carat stone,
which is flawless. and perfectly
cut"
us this the best you got?" in
quired Sledge, looking into the
case.
1--WE have some larger ones UNI
set. but they are not usually
mounted in ladies' rings" re-
sponded the jeweler, struggling
between his artistic conscience
and his commercialism.
Lets see EN-"
Reverently, the jeweler pro
duced from his safe covered
and locked tray, in which, on
white velvet, reposed a dozen
sparkling white stones.
Sledge poked stubby forefin-
! GER Mt the largest one.
us this one right?" he wanted
to know.
Its very good stone" the
jeweler told him. 'The next one
to 1t, however, though trifle
smaller, is of much finer quail
ity. It's worth five hundred dol.
lars more than the large one"
"That'll do" Sledge decided
l"Put II in a ring"
uyerv we'll [" agreed the lew.