The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-07-01
By
Geo. Randolph Chester
Copyright 1914. by IN.
Bobbs- Merrill co.

stop" he ordered Billy. and
closed the window again. 'All
right. 20 to II: decide" he un.
erpectedly told her as the machine
stopped. But be on the level
now. DO you love BERT"
Molly was silent
You don't" he concluded. Put
II the other way. How about Bert
Now. don't kid yourself"
Again Molly was silent She
could answer that question II she
chose. and the picture OF little
Jessie Peters sublime alteration
OF Dioky Reynolds came before
her eyes. linked with the memory
OF Dert's face when he had sug.
gested a postponement Being broke
was an incident with Jessie and
Dlcky. and entirely aside from their
love with Bert and herself. II was
the love which had been Incidental,
Sledge waited reasonable time
for her to allege Bert's enthu.
siasm.
"Home," he commanded Billy.
You see. TN wise. Miss Molly.
That pin-head couldn't love anybody
enough 10 20 the distance. can.
I'll murder anybody you name
Want anybody killed."
You" she savAgely retorted and
then. 10 her own surprise. laughed.
Sh. had pu, her hand on the catch
OF the door. but. since he made no
attempt TO stop her. she left II
there.
You dom, hate me that much
he calmly informed her. You like
me" Again che laughed. this time
at his naivette. You see. it's like
this" he explained. I'm bis
slob. and I'm rough. amt pretty
and know Il: but can start some.
thing any minute and when do
| can finish IT, You don't know II,
but you're strong for that"
With a thrill. Molly realized tina,
he was right in this. She did ad.
mire force.
But love IL different" she re
piled. arguing more to herself than
10 him.
Nix" he denied. IT'S the strong
est thing there H."
Love cries" Molly unused. re.
membering Jessie.
1T hurts" he agreed. ut used
10 sound like a Joke to me-tlll !
got a. You don't want 20 20 back
and marry Bert. DO your"
MOI" she blnntly confessed.
Sledge opened the front window
Hurry up" he admonished Billy
II don't mind confessing that
would in all likelihood have broken
the engagement. even had you not
come she told Sledre. deciding
suddenly to have 1t all out. Il
had realized just at the last mo-
ment," she went on. that Bert's
attitude toward our marriage was
not what it should be. That does
not necessarily mean. however. that
/ am willing to marry you. That's
one thing you can't make me do
Mr. Sledge." and she looked him
quietly in the eye.
He studied her a long time. and
felt foolish.
Il guess not" he humbly con.
fessed. Il thought | could. but !
got TO let you be the boss"
I'm that ] must be-" she asserted
II thought we were going TO your
home" she added. pulling over the
out-of.the- way route.
Nav. yours"
"Mine7" she returned.
1T was to be-" he corrected. 1.-THE
governors house. | bought Il. fur.
niture and all. sent Waiver 10
Paris" lie looked moodily ahead
at the road. You'll take me out
to the house before you go back,
won't you. Molly7"
Who's there?" she inquired.
Mike and the servants. They
went with the furniture"
Sledge seemed TO feel no need of
Mother Grundy. and she realized
suddenly that there was a fineness
in him which made decency mat.
ter OF principle, rather than OF cir.
cumstances.
Il don't mind the ride" she
laughed. feeling suddenly tri.
umphant After all. she had won
her battle with Sledge. but she was
not at all satisfied with herself
when they finally drew up to the
porch of the magnificent Waiver
mansion.
Sledge allghted Immediately. and
held out his hand.
You fooled me before" he
charged. but that's off"
ITS off" abe assured him In his
own language. His big hand was
warm, and a solid, substantial thing
to hold to. She was glad that he
liked her so well. II was safe and
comfortable to know that.
Good words" he approved. Mol
ly, you're n lady" He sim held
her hand lie squared his Shout.
ders with sudden defiance. He
kissed Il! Back to Marley's,
BLY, he directed. and closed the
door OF the limousine.