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


his hand. 1T isn't physical: its men
tai. I've lost my nerve. Molly. Sledge
wins. We're broke"
How can that be-" she puzzled. un-
able to comprehend it. You even
showed me the check"
Here it is" said Bert who had pick
ed it from the floor and was smoothing
it out.
Worthless" Marley grosned at sight
of it. Il can sue for it, but they'll beat
me-"
Bert edged In between Molly and
Fern, SO that be could stand directly
in front Of Marley and see his face.
! do you mean to tell me that our
whole plan has fallen to the ground?"
Marley nodded miserably.
How did it happen
II don't quite understand" wavered
Marley. Il haven't tho details. but by
some trick Sledge has secured fifty
year franchises for every street in the
city, including mine"
How does that affect you:" persist
ed Bert. his eyes falling again to the
check That document looked SO much
like real money that he was inclined to
believe it rather than Marley.
Affect me-" protested Marley. warm
ed into a trife more of life as he e1-
planned 1T renders my street rail
way company junk heap. We lose
everything"
But the sale" insisted Bert.
Invalid Goldman claims he was
| not authorized to act
| Bert ripped out an oath.
Il suppose that If the sale had been
a profitable one you never would have
beard of the invalidity"
Marley smiled and shook his head
! 'Ihen all our plans are off" discov-
cred Bert. The Person tract is IN
salabIe for enough TO clear its own
mortgage. Your stock and mine are
worthless. You lose this house am
! stuck fer the loan | made to give YOU
control. We haven't money enough
!
/ back east. Molly. it looks like post
ponement."
Jessie Peters edged closer and slip
ped her arm around Molly.
Not on my account" protested Mar
| ley. fumbling at mis- collar and he
arose feebly to adjust it before the
! mantel mirror.
/ Molly. seeing that he wavered. bur-
ried to his support.
! He turned to her and put bis hands
on her shoulders.
I'm sorry. Molly" he said simply
looking into her eyes with more fond
ness than lie was in the habit of show
ing her.
I'VE can stand it, she comforted
| him. After ALL it's only just. feel
so much less wicked if we suffer with
all the poor people we have helped to
ruin"
A short laugh from Bert interrupted
her and she turned to him with ii ris-
ing fame in her eyes but little Jes-
was looking up into her face
The minister, tall chap who had
won the hammer throwing medal in
| his last year at college had withdrawn
discreetly to the parlor when the con-
versation had begun. but now came
back apologetically.
Il am sorry to urge you" he observ-
ed. looking at his watch. Il have
brief appointment. but can return"
Il don't know" hesitated Molly,
glancing at Bert. wait just min.
ute"
The thin butler. who was now cross
eyed, came through the hall to the
front door, which he opened, and a
second later he was sitting In the UNI
brella rack
Say, youse." beloved the voice of
Sledse as his huge bulk. followed by
Tommy Reeler. slammed back through
the hall, filling the perspective like a
ferry crowding into her dock. is it
all over?'
Fern was the first one to recover
| from the shock
No. she said meekly. but her eyes
danced Of the devil as they met those
Of Tommy Reeler.
Then it's of" yelled SIedge and
grabbed the startled Molly by the
wrist.
| Bert endeavored to throw himself in
| between the two and TO face Sledse,
but that experienced old ward leader,
who had not forgotten the training of
his early days, gave him quick ell
bow In the pit Of the stomach. and
Bert doubled up in the middle like a
jackknife and dropped heels up on
couch, clawing for breath while Sledge.
as resistless as an auto dray. dragged
the struggling Molly steadily toward
the front door.
Opposite the library he met with an
unexpected defender. The tall young
preacher threw himself upon the big
boy bodily. avoided the pile driver e.
bow, grabbed Sledge around the neck
with his stael-liLe left wrist and with
! bis right fist polIed him in the Jaw.
sledge shook his head and spluttered
as he would In a shower bath. bDt
never let go Of Moly's wrist and plod-
ded on toward the front door, irving
to force off the clutch Of the tall Young
minister with his mighty left arm.
| The minister, whose heart WAS mar.
tcularly Ill his work because this was
the first opportunity he had ever en-.
Joyed to wallop man in IA righteous
cause, indnstriousIy slammed SIedge
| on his other Jaw. and tho smapi. yos