Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-01-12


~ ERT. annoyed by the events OF
the evening. but relieved to
some extent by Molly's mex
plicable and delightful change
of manner toward him in the pleasant
half hour before the party had dis
ipersed. took his thoughtful place in
Sledge's machine and prepared for the
usual welcome silence. which those
who knew him had right to expect
from the reticent boss To his sur
prise however Sledse talked
Great party Molly had" observed
the donor of the fireworks and the mu-
sic and the passes and the red. roses.
a feverish Success" agreed Bert
Molly is inclined TO give you all the
credit for 1t.
She can have anything she wants"
stated Sledge. Pm going TO marry
her
Did she say SOL inquired Bert.
Not yet" acknowledged Sledge.
She's thinking 1t over"
oh" returned Bert, much relieved
and smiling In the darkness. He COM
placently twirled his mustache. He
had good one on Molly.
What time am TO see vou IN the
morning about that Person property"
he inquired. determined not further to
discuss the lady.
Eleven o'clock.
Bert went into the house, half
amused and wholly vexed. 1t might
he very funny 70 see This laundering
big boor making fool of himself
but the joke was entirely ruined by
the fact that at the same time he was
making fool of everybody else.
Bert knew, to the share. how much
street railway and Gas and Electric
stock Marley held. The growing city
needed vastly increased transporta-
ton facilities. and with the increase Of
these would come an increase Of Mar
ley wealth and influence. 1t might be
very handy thing for young real
estate dealer 10 have the president of
company for a father in-law. He went
to sleep, dreaming pleasantly of ex-
tensions and subdivisions and advance
information on factory sites-apd OF
Molly, of course,
He awoke determined to concret,
these dreams or to dismiss them and
ind others. Molly had either to ac.
cept him or definitely to turn him
loose after what other fish there might
DE in the sea. The tpsurlity of hav-
ing Sledge for rival was too much TO
endure.
lie went to his office. dividing this
train of thought with Lis plans for tho
marketing of the Person tract. hurried
10 The First National to secure loan Of
Ten Thousand on the new property and
arranged at the German bank for an
extension of certain other loans which
would have to be deferred If he used
his ten thousand available funds TO
complete the cash purchase which
Bendix demanded. These more urgent
matters disposed of, he called IN
Molly. ....-. =
May l come out?' he demanded
When" drawled a lansuid voice
Right away"
No she drawled again.
But, Molly, must see you" be seri.
ously Insisted. Its important"
1t always is" she laughed. Whats
1t about this time?"
"Oh. the same old thing" he ac
knowledged. only more So"
You're crowding them closer to-
sether." chided Molly. Moreover. this
Is the first time by telephone. think"
4 didn't mean it to be So" he apollo
gized- You've trapped me into 1t and
taken away any chance | might have
or responsiveness. Now | suppose it
will be the same old answer"
Not necessarily" was her astound
ing reply, in the same sleepy drawl.
What" he gasped. Say that
again"
Not necessarily" she repeated, and
he caught the sound of a repressed
giggle.
You're teasing me-" be protested.
You don't mean that I'm to have the
right answer this time"
1T depends on what you mean BIZ
the right answer"
The one I've always wanted"