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

| which she was entitled.
| He was so obviously downcast that
! she wanted to cheer him up. but she
could. think of nothing to say which
! would tighten the heavy gloom now
| settling upon him. That failure In it.
| self made her feel rather mean, and
she was not at all satisfied with her
| self when they finally drew up TO the
porch OF the magnificent Wayer man
sion
| Sledge alighted Immediately and held
out his hand
You fooled me before" he charged
but that's off"
ITS of. she assured him in his own
language. His big hand was warm
and a solid. substantial thing to hold
10, She was glad that he liked her
! so well. 1t was safe and comforta BILE
to know that.
Good words" he approved. Mol
| ly, you're lady" He still held her
| hand He looked at it foolishly. He
squared his shoulders with sudden de-
fiance. He kissed it. Back to Mar
lcy's. Billy be directed and closed the
door Of the limousine.
Billy pulled away from the porch.
/ She waved her hand at Sledge as they
made the turn. There was a new
droop to his shoulders as he stood
} there on the stately big porch all alone
! in his black Prince Albert. with a red
rose in his buttonhole and his silk hat
in his hand. He seemed so forlorn, so
| lonely, that Molly felt as If she were
! leaving him on a desert island.
Around the corner of the house there
painfully limped once white bull ter
chewed to ribbons and scars crisscross-
ed in every direction. Slowly. tortu-
Ously, but with steady determination.
he wabbled jerkily along the path and
up the steps and rubbed his battered
old head against Sledge's leg; then lay
down with his chin on Sledge's foot.
| Molly tapped half Historically on the
window in front Of her and fumbled
| frantically to get it open.
Drive back" she called. II want
to see Bob"
Bob looked up at her with distinct
| grin as she alighted. and when she
stopped swiftly down and put her arm
! about his neck he laid his head against
her knee and whined.
| Hes crazy about YOU said Sledge.
looking down at them both with hun
cry affection. Il got big kennel out
/ here for him. but he's lonesome.
There's a place for Smash too
oh. they'd fight" she quickly pro-
tested.
Not now" he returned mou-nfully.
"Bob's been licked
Then it will be safe for ME to take
Bob home with me when win him, -
Molly hievously suggested.
Plumb safe" Sledge bravely agreed.
You want to take him back today
Not right now. | think" she quickly
replied. with pang Of regret that she
had given him this needless hurt.
Governor Waver's former butler. a
I gray haired Englishman of torturing
/ dignity. came out on the porch.
Il beg your pardon. sir" he said to
Sledge.
Sledge turned and looked him over
with disfavor.
"Well:" he grunted.
Mr.. Reeler is telephoning. sir he
wishes to know if Miss Marley is
here
Come on Molly" invited Sledge.
We'll tell him. Do you like that but
ler:" he asked as they went in the
! library.
He is very efficient one believe"
she granted.
"All right: I'll keep him." he decided.
Il Gid think I'd fire him and get a
wooden one. Honest, Molly. that guy
! amt human
He picked up the telephone.
Hello. Tommy. Yes. you bet she's
here, No. nothin' dom. Molly wins
! Sure. Here. Molly"
Molly took the telephone. but instead
of the full voice of Tommy she heard
the eager one Of Fern.
Are you married yet. Molly?" Fern
wanted to know.
| Not yet laughed Molly.
Il didn't think you would until Tom
my and | got out there" she chartered.
"Oh, Molly. isn't it just great:"
Just what do you mean is so great?"
inquired Molly.
! "Oh. everything. Wait minute y
There was pause. and then there
was a great change in the voice Of
Fern. Tell me il isn't so, Molly.
Tommy says you're not going to marry
| SIadqn.''
I did you really expect me to?' ask.
ed Molly curiously.
| Why. Of course l did, declared
Fern. You're crazy in love with aim!
You always have been Now, haven't
you?"
Have r. wondered Molly, dazed
and thinking it over
OF course you have" insisted Fern.
You've been dippy about him ever
| since he sent out that first wagon load
of red roses, only you're too stubborn
, to say SO. I'm So disappointed can't
see, Molly
Why"
! 1T was so romantic. Tommy's been
telling me all about it. Tommy's al
ready got the county clerk by phone
at his home, and he's gone over to the
courthouse to get a blank marriage
! license. He's probably on the way