The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-06-30

1
into his presence at once.
With scant consideration for
the importance of the occasion,
Molly came down when she was
ready. She was tittering, and
Fern, upstairs, could be heard in
the throes of frantic laughter.
Hello. Bert" laughed Molly.
Why the mad rush." /.
What did you say to Sledge?''
he sternly demanded.
I'm not quite sure" she gig
gled. Fern and / have just
been trying to recall it. but we
can only remember the funniest
things"
THE man has taken too much
for granted" went on Bert, un-
softened by all this hilarity.
From what your father says,
sledge seems to believe that our
engagement is off, and that he
has been practically accepted"
I've been missing my red
roses" she confessed. Now |
suppose I'll get some more. What
else does he Think"
Heaven knows" snapped
Bert. He says he's going to the
theatre with you tonight. Is that
correct?"
Molly gleefully nodded her
head.
II forbid it," he commanded.
The change in Molly was
abrupt.
You may do your forbiddi 1g
to Mr.. Sledge," she told him,
with blazing eyes. "You were
thoughtful enough to consider
seriously sending me to him, and
now whatever follows is up to
me. | am going to the theatre
tonight with Mr.. Sledge."
Murder" called Fern. Mol
iy! oh. Molly! Come and see
who's here!"
Molly hurried into the hall to
IND Fern surrounded by florist
boxes. and nothing could stop the
gisgllng which ensued as they I'M
covered one elaborate corsage
bouquet after another. Even
Bert had to laugh as he sur
veyed this Embarrassment of
riches.
"Sledge does things whole
sale,' he admitted. But he is
certainly lacking a few points in
taste"
Il don't see why" instantly de-
tended Fern. Every bouquet
here is a flawless beauty"
Yes, but why such a crude
display of his financial re-
sources?" insisted Bert. laughing
at the mans vulgar lavishness.
The true explanation has its
foundation in a very thoughtful
instinct, Molly quietly informed
him. He wanted to be sure to
send something we would like.
and he didn't. know what gowns
We were to wear"
Fern surveyed the riot of
beauty before her in sheer 10Y.
Whatever he is, he's no pix
err she insisted. e.
Sledge began his deliberate
siege upon Molly with the same
care and yigor that he would
nave exercised in conducting a
most important political cam
paign.
On that first evening at the
theatre, he made Molly's wishes,
expressed or unexpressed. both a
study and a law. A draft blew on
her. She had a scarf around her
shoulders before she was through
with her first slight SILVER, and
Immediately thereafter Sledge
snapped his fingers for an usher
and ordered the fire-escape doors
closed. She looked over the pro-
gram of entricate music, and
sighed for missing favorite.
Write it down." directed
sledge, handing her a fountain
pen and a check blank.
Laughing. she wrote it. think
ing that he would no doubt send
her the sheet music next day.
Again he called the usher.
Take this to Joe. and tell him
to have it played" he ordered.
ANYTHING else you'd like, Miss
Molly?"
I'm afraid to mention a wish
for fear I'd get it," she returned,
in more or less embarrassment;
but Fern, who was having the
time of her life, giggled, and tell
ing him to recall the boy, added
a favorite of her own to the mu-
steal program.
You can have a good time
most any place." Sledge compli-
mented her, with a growing fond
ness for Molly's friend. You're
a nice kid. l ought to have in
vited your gentleman friend
along"
II don't see who it would be-"
laughed Fern. molly knows so
many nice chaps, but the most
of them are such boys"
Excuse me a minute, girls"
begged Sledge, and unloomed
himself from the background.
II hope he isn't going to order
the spotlights turned this way"
snickered Molly. He'd do it,
think. He's capable of any
thing"
LAS long as it's NICE" ad-
mitted Fern. "I'll bet you never
had a man treat you with more
respect"
Just as the overture struck up
Sledge returned to the box, fol-
lowed by a big man of about
thirty-five. He had a merry, blue
eye and pompadour hair, and he
wore diamond shirt studs and
cuff buttons. =
Tommy Reeler, girls, Intro,
duced Sledge. Miss Fern Bur-
bank, Tommy. Miss Molly Mar.
/ Low ~ IS Il + ~