Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1916-02-25

He studied her a long time and felt
foolish.
II guess not" he humbly confessed.
II thought could but l got to let
you be the boss"
She could not know how much that
admission hurt him, but she vaguely
guessed at It, and something like pity
stirred within her
I'm that must be-" she asserted. Il
thought we were going to your home"
she added, puzzling over the out Of the
way route.
! NAV. yours"
"Mine? she returned.
| 1T was to be-" he corrected. 1.-The
governors house. I bought 1t, furnl
ture and all. l sent Waiver to Paris"
you're continuous shock" she
laughed. You do such big things"
That's nothing" he sheepishly de-
MED. Waivers tickled stiff. l got
him big job. He didn't want 70 sell.
though"
Molly longed for Fern.
Il thought the governor was going
to Switzerland" she observed, Won
dering how things fell SO conveniently
60 Sledge's hand.
Nav; Judge Lansdale's going
there" he told her. looking moodly
ahead at the road. You'll take me
out to the house before you go back.
won't you, Molly?"
who's there?" she inquired.
mike and the servants. They went
with the furniture"
Sledge seemed to feel no need of a
Mother Grundy. and she realized, with
q trace Of appreciation, that there was
a fineness in him which made decency
a matter of principle rather than Of
circumstances.
II don't mind the ride" she laughed.
feeling suddenly triumphant. After
all, she had won her battle with
Slcdge and had reduced him to the
pulpy consistency all men should be
in their loves. The conquest was
tremendous one, she smilingly thought
as she looked at him and remembered
his reputation for high handed ruth
lessness. Somehow. however, she had
not quite the glee In her victory to
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 Waiver man.
sion.
Sledge alighted Immediately and held
out his hand.
"You fooled me BEFORE" he charged.
"but that's off,"
Its off," she 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 we'll. It was safe and comfortable
to know that.
"Good words!" he approved. MOL
ly, you're a lady," He still held her
hand. He looked at it foolishly. He
squared his shoulders with sudden de-
iance. He kissed it! Back to Mar
ley's. Billyw he 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 new
droop to his shoulders as he stood
there on the stately big porch all alone
in his black Prince Albert. with 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 desert island.
Around the corner Of the house there
painfully limped a once white bull ter
rier. with one eye gone and both ears
chewed to ribbons and scars crisscrosa'-
ed in every direction Slowly. tOrt0-
Ously. but with steady determination.
he wabbled jerkily alcug the path and
up the steps ana rubbed his battered
old head against SIX dge's leg; then lay
down with his chin on Sledge's foot.
Molly tapped half historically on the
window in trent 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 ut them both with hun
cry affection. II got IL big kennel out
here for him. but he's lonesome
There's place for Smash too.
"Oh, they'd fight" she quickly pro
tested.
mot now" he returned mournfully
"Bob's been licked"
"Then it will be safe for Inc to take
Bob home with me when win him.
Molly mischievously suggested.
plumb safe" Sledge bravely agreed.
You want to take him back today?"
mot right now, think" she quickly
replied, with pang Of regret that she
had given him this needless hurt.
Governor Waivers former butler. a
gray haired Englishman of torturing
dignity. came out on the porch.
II 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
l La. he od thor y,opt In tho