Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-03

herently, flashed by on her way to the
door.
Up the winding driveway, one fol-
lowing the other, were two Of the !
most beautiful little colonial coupes !
In the world, such cars as would make |
any girl so stark bowling mad with |
ecstasy. They were exactly alike, ex-
cept that the one in front was hung
with lace and f1lmy red silk curtains, |
and the other had blue with its fluffy |
white Both the cars were empty, e1- |
cept for the hard featured men who |
were driving them, looking as much |
out of place as a coal HEAVIER in lin |
gerie bonnet.
1.-THE blue ones mine" exclaimed |
Fern, dancing up and down In de- |
lirium Of joy as Molly Joined her at |
the door, through the hangings OF |
which the girls now peered out in
| frantic Impotence.
81 wonder what brings them hereT
specialized Molly, dreading the worst.
| Il don't carer' returned Fern. THAT
blue cars mine, and | know 1t. Molly.
do you really suppose 1t could be a
PRESENT."
Certainly not" decided Molly
promptly. "Oh, but aren't they ex-
quisite?"
Exquisite? They're the dearest,
sweetest, darlingest little things / ever
/ saw cried Fern. THE only thing
that's missing is that there should be
band leading them. Say, Molly" and
| here she sank her voice to giggllng
whisper, "I'll bet you that Sledge"-
Certainly notr interrupted Molly,
/ almost fiercely, and then she too, gig
gled. and the two girls scattered away
from the door as the chauffeur Of the
red car who was the gentlemanly sales
man in disguise. dismounted and came
slowly up to the door.
They waited in the library with the
frowning and bewildered Bert while
the thin butler with the tall brow an
swered the bell, and they distinctly
heard the chauffeur ask for Miss Mar
ley and Miss Burbank. They waited in
half frightened decorum while the thin
butler solemnly brought that message,
and then. with no more trace of excite
ment than if they had been dragged
away from q tiresome French lesson.
they walked sedately into the ball.
Miss Marley" observed that person,
nodding to the right girl. 81 have the
pleasure of bringing out very beauti-
full little gift to yourself and Miss Bur
bank" and here he nodded to the other
young lady, who was holding her toes
to the floor by gripping them. The
red lined one is for Miss Marley and
the blue one for Miss Burbank"
Il said the blue one was mine"' half
shrieked Fern. unable to contain her
self any longer. Il want to ride in it
nowr'
Molly looked longingly past the per
: sons shoulder out at the red curtained
car, and she felt that sick, sick sensa
ton of self abnegation clamoring
within.
"Who sent them?' she asked family.
"Your father" replied the conscience
. less salesman, looking her more clearly
In the eye than any honest man could
have done. IF you have the time we
shall be pleased to give you lesson In
, running them"
Fern was halfway upstairs.
do you want your gray coat or your
, furs, Molly?' she called as she went.
, Something light" replied Molly
, . equally excited, running out to inspect
, the car, with the gentlemanly salesman
right at her elbow and highly pleased
with his job. The chauffeur in the
blue car waited with bright eyes.
, Fern, followed by Nina and another
maid, both Of them too slow to be Of
: any service, came Gathering on the
porch with two afternoon coats ant
two bonnets selected with less discrim
. nation than she had ever used and
: tossed any Of them to Molly. "I'n be-
: 1t was Sledge," she whispered as she
ran and popped into the blue car.
Her coupe was the first to whir
: down the driveway, but the red one
followed in close order. Bert stood OF
the edge Of the porch, with his hand!
rammed in his pockets, and watched
the end Of the world. Being a youns
\ man Of keen thought, however, afte
fifteen minutes of numbness he curlet
his mustache. took up the telephone
and called Frank Marley.
, Did you make present Of two au
= -omobiles to the girls?" he inquired.
did what?" gasped Marley out o
the midst Of his plans for making tn
proposed street car consolidation WORT
, twenty points advance on his stock t
the up state syndicate.
- II thought not" returned Bert, witt
y a very near approachsto profanity IS
- didn't think you'd weaken our capita
y by a 5000 extravaganza Of that sort
= Il don't understand you" puzzle,
= Marley.
- Two small inclosed cars came on
!. hers about fifteen minutes ago, an
-, - the man in charge Of them said tina
- you sent them. Personally | thin
y Sledge has been getting fresh"
y ITS barely possible" agreed Marley
- feeling a dangerous indignation risin
within him. Leave that to me, Ber1
L. IF AS Molly's father 1t is my affair T.
IL investigate 1t at once"
Palpitnting with all righteous ia
. TIERS Jealous care, Frank Marley KEEP
. the telephone busy until he locate
r Sledge.