Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-01-29

Bert Glider, a necessary adjunct to
the Sunday dinner. came just in time
to sit down at the table with the fam
lily, and he was so preoccupied that
Molly was half vexed with him.
Now, who has won part OF your
marbles 2" she chided him, attempting
to conceal her annoyance with him I'M
der the guise Of gay raillery.
Bert already looks like a married
man. laughed Fern. I'D be fright
ened half to death, Molly. Think what
he'll look like at breakfast on the
first of each month"
He'll never see the meat BILL" de-
clared Molly. ~ intend to begin with
alimony."
Il hope I can pay IT" responded Bert,
catching the all too jovial spirit OF the
assemblage and pretending to gayety
himself Il think my first step toward
making living, however. will be to
move out Of this state where can buy
and sell piece of property without
asking permission Of some alderman or
ward thug"
Il think well all co. suggested Mar
ley, who had been looking studiously
into his soup. What has happened to
worry you. Bert?"
| Since Sledge smiled?' queried that
neatly mustached young man in order
to head him off from that reproach. Il
think l have good cause this time. l
/ tooIy ri o11t jppo1n road this
morning, and they're going ahead with
their amusement park project"
impossible" asserted Marley,
Strengthening In outraged dignity,
while the Ring City Street Railway
company has Lincoln road franchise
which would prevent our competitors
from obtaining one. 1t has not an
nounced any intention Of building in
that direction and will not do So"
Bert laughed quite without mirth
"You remind me of that good old
standard story of the man who was
arrested for some trifing offense. He
sent for his friend and explained the
circumstances. Why. it's COMPOUNDED
nonsense exclaimed the friend, hold
ing the bars and looking through the
grating of the cell door, No policeman
on earth can throw you into Jail for
that"
why, he was In Jail at that very
minute protested Fern.
Il think that's supposed to be the
point of the story" guessed Molly. "Of
what is it apropos, Bert?'
"Of the impossbility of building an
amusement park on Lincoln road" he
answered. They're digging lake out
there. They've erected the scaffolding
Of a roller coaster They've built big
workshed, which is later to be turned
into a Tannenbaum hall. which just
now is stacked with gaudy parts of a
three story rry-go-round. 1t may be
utterly impossible for them to build an
amusement park out there, but they're
doing it.
Molly glanced quickly at her father.
He mOtioned that his untouched soup
might be taken away and toyed in ner-
vous embarrassment with an almond.
I've already done it. he half shame
facedly explained.
Sold your stock?' she eagerly in
quired.
Not quite" he hesitate II did,
however, stop at the telegraph office on
my way back from Allerton's this
morning. and l wired the people who
have been after my stock to name their
best offer
Good" she responded. will you
take it. whatever it is?''
Il can't bind myself to that" he re-
piled Il must confess. however. that
whatever the offer is. l shall be
tempted"
'Allerton must have given you very
little satisfaction about that bill" sur,
missed Bert.
quite the contrary" stated Marley
The bill is absolutely harmless. 1t is
only a bit of political fiapdoodle, in
, tended to convince the voters of the
, state that Allerton is constantly on the
t job
Something must have happened tc
, make you change your mind so quick
~" pondered Molly. Whatever it was
I'm glad of it You must have me-
Sledge," and she giggled.
"Sledge must have smiled at him,
, laughed Bert keeping up the joke.
. Il have excellent reasons Marley
concluded. with becoming bushes!
: gravity. The future of street railwa,
, investment in this city is too uncer
tain
r Father" said Molly suddenly in tn,
midst of the silence which followed
! | 'if Mr.. Sledge finds you have sent tina
telegram he will do whatever he is go
t ing to do before you can turn around
He'll have to move quickly" an
/ swered her father with superio
) smile, his self appreciation returning OF
: the slightest provocation. Il sent m,
J people that telegram today so the,
/. would have it the first thing Monda.
;, morning. They We're very eager Will
| they were here to acquire possession
:. and l shall doubtless hear from then
t by 10 o'clock"
' Il wish l could sleep until 10 an,
l when l wake up find that it's all right,
l Molly worried. If you and Bert ar
n not entirely out Of all business deals il
1 this town by our wedding day Sledg
b will see to 1t, If he has to move heave
and earth to accomplish 1t, that W
|. none Of Us have dollar, and by that
s mean absolute pauperism in the bes
p and most Thoroughly melodramati
/. sense"