Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-12

steadily dragged them all toward the
front door, with Molly now screaming
and Nina, her arms about her mis-
tress' waist. jerking her from behind.
Nina cried Molly. Let go. You're
pulling my arm in two
The weight Of Tommy Reeler told at
last. The minister's hold on Sledges
neck loosened. and he and Tommy
tumbled back with thud into the mid
die of the parlor. rolling under the
very chandelier which was to have been
the pivot of the wedding. Tommy,
who had risen to be boss contractor
largely through muscular will. enjoyed
lively tussle with the young minis
ter. but luck favored him. and he land
ed on top.
Now, you behave he painted. with
his hand at the minister's throat and
nis fist held in convenient range for
lnicroscopical scrutiny. Il don't want
you to start anything with me because
! daren't punch preacher"
With as steady progress as IL he
had been marching behind hearSe
Sledge dragged Molly out of the hall
and across the porch and to the door
of his waiting limousine into which
he pulled lie. with the same careful
force as man landing particularly
game bass.
" bo oh lid hn
driver
Mollys first and perfectly normal ac-
ton when the limousine drove away
with her was TO indulge in splendid
case of hysteria, not one detail of
which was omitted. She laughed. she
cried. she shrieked. she pounded her
heels on the door Of the car, she tried
to jump out of the machine. she laugh
ed and she cried again. and Sledse
was 50 scared that he wited his col
lar
You're all right. Miss Molly" he
hoarsely cOOed over and over. but final
ly happy thought struck him. and.
opening forward window. he gruffly
directed. Say. Billy. stop at Sheeny
Jake's and bring out a slug of rye
Molly dabbed at her eyes with the
fiImy lace handkerchief which she had
intended to carry under the cut glass
chandelier.
You are hurting my wrist" she com
planned.
He let go slowly and looked at the
deep white indentations Of his big fin
gers. He almost blubbered
I'm a slob." he confessed. why,
Miss Molly, Id saw my leg off before
I'd hurt you. Why. doggone it, you're
like a flower or a butterfly or canary
to me! Look at that wrist ,l-
She drew her hand away. with a
splendid assumption of cold disdain.
although. through some freak or fancy.
she could see the giggling face Of Fern.
Mr. Sledge. where are you taking
me?'
Home" he informed her. We're
goana get married"
In spite of her tearing anger. there
was something in this so ridiculous
that she was compelled to laugh. and
with the first peal Sledge paled.
"Hit 'er up"' be yelled to his driver.
~ want that booze quick. Please
don't. Miss Molly; you're all right"
And he made the futile attempt OF
hopping his brow with the foolish lit
tie handkerchief which he somehow
found in his hand.
Let me out of here" she demanded
Nix" he grufiy replied. You don't
fool me again. I'm goana marry you
you can't" she told him. ut isn't
legal if don't say Yes"
You got to say Yes" he insisted
Look here. Molly. couldn't let you
marry that pinhead. He's woman
fusser. He's been mixed up with them
since you were engaged, and he'd new
er stop"
1t won't do you any good to belit.le
Bert" she fared.
Il can't" he informed her. II kept
my mouth shut. but now | got to spill
what | know. These pretty men are
always worse after they're married
Berts bum,f He's got streak of
yellow the size of canal He amt
got the brains of tadpoIe He can't
make n living unless somebody helps
Linn. You'd hale his bones in six
months. SO don't you marry him.!
Il am the one TO decide on that"
Molly Indignantly advised him.
Sledge Looked AT her moment con
iempIaliyely. then lie opened The for
ward window.
Stop! he ordered Billy. aud closed