The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-03

'~''>" 4 "How active are you willing to ?" in
 quired Bozzam. sion seems to be gaining ground that, no matter what happens. the stock is bound to be worth more than thirty five. Spectators have grabbed it, I guess.''
 They'd make noise,'' objected Sledge, glaring down at the cuspidor, which, in this room, took the place of the hand hole in the gate as a source of Inspiration.
 How about Bozzam?"
 I've tried my best to trace some thing back to his crowd, but I can't find a connection any place"
 Sledge was silent for moment.
 ''Bozzam's in it, he said decisively
 "'I don't like to think SOL defended Bendix. ''He seems to work clean
 You found him. explained Sledge. He's in it. He's a crook"
 Even Bendix grinned.
 "I don't deny that, but he's too wise to start anything with you. That's what I bank on.'' '
 E'He thinks Pm on the pan," judged Sledge. He's stranger
 Davis came in.
 ''We have telephoned all the banks, ; he reported. None of them has made any recent loans to MT. Marley nor have any checks been drawn in his ia VOr."
 I'Hunh!' grunted Sledge. He stolid- ly walked out of the office, followed I0ry I.s, ing runabout, over which the crossing policeman stood guard. Don't buy any more stock,'' he directed Bendix and drove off Sell it.''
 He strode into the offices of the trac- hon company and stopped at Hunts desk.
 Marley drawn any money here ?" he wanted to know.
 His salary replied Hunt, fawning servilely on the big man who stood at his side.
 'sIs he selling any stock?"
 Mot that know of, sirT'
 Making any flash ?"
 Not particularly. He has been whis- ting"
 Making any threats?'' Mot that heard
 E'Hunh!' and Sledge turned from the desk. Anybody in with hin?''
 T think his daughter, sir,' smirked Hunt, ''and Mr Glider unless they have gone out the other way"
 SIedge looked down at his lapel. The red rose was an excellent specimen ex- cept that it had one stra ggling petal in which was a worm hole. He jerked off that petal and walked unannounced into Marley's office, pausing just inside the door, struck dumb by a tabIeau be ing enacted at the opposite entrance Bert Glider, in the act of departing, was kissing Molly goodby, and Marley, at his desk, was looking on uncon- cernedly. Bert grinned inpudentIy at Sledge and departed. Molly grinned tantalizingIy at him and sat in the big leather chair opposite her father Mar ley grinned cheerfu1ly and offered him a cigar.
 ''Fine weather" he observed.
 ''Who give out the dope about extend ing the Ridgewood avenue line?' Sledge grufdy wanted to kno&.
 ''I did," returned Marley calmly. ''I thought it might help the price Of my stock. It's been going down of late" ''WhO gave you the word ?''
 'I didn't need it," Marley reminded him. I'm still president of the road, you know"
 ''I've called it off," sledge informed him. "You got no fyanchise.''
 ''I beg your pardon" Marley smiling Iy interrupted '"The original fran chise granted line to the end of Grace street. When it was cut through to connect with Ridgewood avenue the authorization of the cut and all the condemnation proceedings were for an extension of Grace street.
 May I tell MT. Sledge what we in tend to do out there?'' Molly pleasantly inquired.
 EEI don't mind" granted MT. Mar ley, beaming upon his child.
 we plan to carry out the original idea of building an amusement park on the Person property and to drop the Lincoln road project if the stock holders don't object at their meeting tomorrow she happily told him. ''Nfr. Glider thinks it a much better Ioca- ton. Shall you be at the meeting, MT Sledge?"
 In reply he chuckled at her.
 You're a corkerr' he complimented her.
 You don't own much stock any more, do you?' she went on, delighted with her catechism.
 Enough to stick around" he re- minded her. Marley, are you fgur- ing to put something over at this meet ing?"
 "Are your returned Marley b1andly.
 (To Be Continued.)