Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1916-02-15

la
'"rhats entirely Molly's affair"
IT believe you," conceded Sledge, and
again he chuckled as he arose to 60
rs there any objection to giving out
a hint of this consolidation" asked
Marley, with an instant thought that
at the very least this new turn would
enhance his price with the syndicate
which had proposed to buy him ont.
"Hunh-uh!" assented Sledge. "You
better see Davis about your mortgage.
He won't extend, but he'll hold off,"
I'm go over right away" answered
Marley, anxious to take advantage Of
that offer also as quickly as possible.
"Wait till tomorrow" ordered Sledge
end stalked out, having but very little
time to waste. Y
His way lay directly past tile Grand
Opera House, and he stopped at the
ticket window.
"Give me a box for tonight" he
grunted.
Thanks" grunted sledge and stuffed
the tickets in his pocket.
"Don't mention it." returned the
treasurer as nonchalantly and walked
back to the manager Of the company.
''What kind OF show is this?" asked
Sledge. +1
"Rotten" the ticket man informed
him. cts highbrow stuff, Hamlet"
.Hunh!" grunted Sledge.' "Any mu.
sic?"
Orchestra. Ophelia sings, but you'd
think she was having her teeth fixed"
! 'Hunhw observed Sledge again, and
walked out.
Two blocks up the street, on his way
to the Occident, he stopped at an auto
mobile salesroom. ,..
This wOrking?" he inquired, point
ing to the shining big Limousine which
occupied the center of the floor.
"Al it needs is gasoline" replied the
salesman ~
Put some red roses in that flower
thing, and send it up sledge directed.
"'About dinner time?" surmised the
salesman. Possibly I'd better send it
up before, MI. Sledge. 1t has some i'm
provements your man might want to
look into"
"I'll send Billy down." decided
Sledge.
He turned to so when, in the adj
joining window, he caught sight of a
little, low, colonial coupe, with seating
capacity for three. It was Of an ex-
quisitely beautiful shape, with small,
latticed window panes and dainty lace
curtains. He walked slowly toward
it, his habitually cold gray eyes bright
ening, and as he stood before it he
thrust his hands deep in his pockets
and positively laughed aloud.
That's our newest ladies' car" ex-
planned the salesman, following him.
'"The women are crazy about them.
Self starting, electric lights inside,
shopping flaps everywhere, adjustable
satin seat coverings and all the latest
boudoir; improvements :
Sledge scarcely heard him. He was
still laughing. Nothing he had ever
seen had struck him so humorously as
the "cuteness" Of this car.
"Its swell!' he chuckled. Got q
red one?' ~ w
mo, they're only made in black"
the salesman told him. 1.-THE color eff
fects are obtained by the cushion COW
erings and silk curtains"
Put red ones in this. Got another
one?"\ t.'@
There's one just being set up in the
shop" stated the overjoyed salesman.
Its an order"
MAKE that one blue"
"Do you want them this afternoon2"
asked the clerk, figuring that it was
worth while to put of the other Gus
TONER
"Surev' said Sledge. fright away"
'I'll get busy>immedidtely," promised
the salesman, delirious with happiness.
Where do they go?"
molly Marley gets the red one. The
blue ones for her friend Fern. Nix on
who sent EN-
They'll want to know" the sales.
man insisted.
saw, tell 'em Frank Marley"
Just across the street was the largest
jewelry shop in town, and the display
in its windows gave him an idea. He
strobe in, asked for the proprietor and
got him. 't
81 want rock that weighs about a
pound" he stated.
s. "a diamond? Yes, Mr.. Sledge. Some
thing for an emblem?" ~ E
Nav! Lady's ring-solitaire."
1--WE have some beauties" Dragged
the jeweler, Immediately aglow with
enthusiasm. Here is a nice little
three carat stone which is fawless and
perfectly cut"
'.Is. this the best you got?" inquired
Sledge, looking into the case.
1--WE have some larger ones unset,
but they are not usually mounted in
ladies' rings" responded the jeweler,
struggling between his artistic con-
science and his commercialism.
lets see 'em."
Reverently the jeweler produced from
his safe a covered and locked tray, in
which on white velvet reposed dozen
sparkling white stones. +
Sledge poked stuffy forefinger at
the largest one.
''Is this one right?" he wanted to
know.
ITS very good stone" the jeweler