Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1916-02-18
Molly took up the telephone.

Molly took up the telephone.
I'll call DR.. Brand" she anxiously
decided.
"Don'tw he begged, stopping her with
his hand. 1T isn't physical; it's men.
tai. I've lost my nerve. Molly, Sledge
wins. We're broke"
How can that be?" she puzzled. un-
able to comprehend it. You even
showed me the check"
Here it is" said Bert, who had pick
ed it from the floor and was smoothing
1t out.
Worthless" Marley groaned at sight
Of it. II can sue for it, but they'll beat
me-"
Bert edged IN between Molly and
Fern. so that he could stand directly
in front Of Marley and see his face.
do you mean to tell me that our
whole plan has fallen to the ground?"
Marley nodded miserably.
"How did it happen?"
II don't quite understand" wavered
Marley. II haven't the details, but by
some trick Sledge has secured fifty
year franchises for every street in the
city, including NINE"
"How does that affect you?" persist
ed Bert, his eyes falling again to the
check. That document looked so much
like real money that he was inclined to
believe it rather than Marley.
affect mer protested Marley. warm
ed into trifle more of life as he ex-
planned. ut renders my street rail-
way company junk heap. We lose
everything"
But the SALE" insisted Bert
invalid. Goldman claims he was
not authorized to act"
Bert ripped out an oath.
II suppose that If the sale had been
a profitable one you never would have
heard Of the invalidity."
Marley smiled and shook his head.
'Then all our plans are or" discov-
cred Bert 1.-THE Person, tract Is un-
salable for enough to clear its own
mortgage. Your stock and mine are
worthless. You lose this house. am
!
control. We haven't money enough
to go into business. and we can't go
back east. Molly. it looks like post.
ponement!
Jessie Peters edged closer and slip.
ped her arm around Molly.
mot OH my account" protested Mar
ley. fumbling at his collar. and he
arose feebly to adjust it before the
mantel mirror
Molly. seeing that he wavered, hur-
ried to his support.
He turned to her and put his hands
on her shoulders.
I'm sorry. Molly" he said simply.
looking into her eyes with more fond
ness than he was in the habit Of show.
ing her.
I'VE can stand it." she comforted
him. After all. it's only just. feel
so much less wicked If we suffer with
all the poor people we have helped to
ruin"
A short laugh from Bert interrupted
her, and she turned to him with ris-
ing flame in her eyes. but little Jes-
sic Peters had caught her hand and
was looking up into her face.
The minister, tall chap who had
won the hammer throwing medal in
his last year at college. had withdra wn
discreetly to the parlor when the con-
versation had begun. but now came
back alphabetically.
II am sorry to urge you." he observ-
ed, looking at his watch. II have a
brief appointment, but l can return"
Il don't know" hesitated Molly.
glancing at Bert. wait just a min
Ute"
The thin butler. who was now cross
eyed. came through the hall to the
front door. which he opened. and q
second later he was sitting in the um-
brella rack.
Say, youse" beloved the voice of
Sledge as his huge bulk, followed by
Tommy Reeler. slammed back through
the hall. filling the perspective like a
ferry crowding into her dock. us it
all over?"
Fern was the first one to recover
from the shock
"NO." she said meekly. but her eyes
danced of the devil as they met those
Of Tommy Reeler.
"Then it's Off" yelled Sledge and
grabbed the startled Molly by the
wrist.
Bert endeavored to throw himself in
between the two and to face Sledge.
but that experienced old ward leader.
who had not forgotten the training of
his early days. gave him II quick el-
bow in the pit Of the stomach. and
Bert doubled up in the middle like
jackknife and dropped heels mp on
couch. clawing for breath while Sledge.
as resistless as an auto dray, dragged
the struggling Molly steadily toward
the front door.
Opposite the library he met with an
unexpected defender. The tall young
preacher threw himself upon the big