Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-01-12

one cat piece OF my Uln0 ABOUT IL.
the feather chinned woman with the
purple coincidence ribbons fastened on
her cerise chiffon with brass furniture
tacks
Molly howled at the description.
Wow she gasped. That's Mrs.
Senator Allerton. What did you say
to herr"
THAT she seemed so happy TO be-
licve the worst and that
"l'll give you my little spangle fan
for that as soon as we go nome.
promised Molly.
You're almost as liberal as Sledge,'
complimented Fern. Il wouldn't give
up that spangle fan for worlds. What
do you suppose is keeping Bert. Molly
Hes probably slowed to use the
Sledge dictionary" responded Molly
calmly.
Does that mean the same as jag
ged:"
"Spiff1icated." Calculated Molly. Don't
look so shocked, Fern Bert isn't in the
habit of it. Any of the boys will tell
you that he's so sober he breaks up
most of their parties
Then why did he show of tonight?'
Il believe they call it drowning their
sorrows" explained Molly quietly. He
lost everything today-money. bust,
ness, prospects. Sledge broke him"
Poor Bert" symrathiZed the warm
hearted Fern. why. that putty faced
old thief, Nelly. He did it on your
account, Isn't he clever. How on
earth did he work it,
Had Bert tie up all his money. in
Guiding some he borrowed. in property
Sledge deprecated in value. then
Sledge had the bank call the loan.
Bert can't pay, and the bank seizes the
property. Moreover. nobody will in
vest in Bert's enterprises since they
know that Sledge is against him
Il don't blame him for getting What
does Sledge call it,
Slowed"
do you:" asked Fern.
He'll probably feel sorry for it to-
morrow" evaded Molly. "A mans
conscience usually hurts him when he
can't eat
They had neared the house, and now
a slender figure in black came rapid
~ toward them.
is that you. Molly?" inquired the
anxious voice Of Frank Marley.
1T is your fair daughter" she light
ly assured him.
They are missing you he declared
with all the responsibility Of a sue
cessful Snowman. The governor and
his wife. Senator Allerton. the mayor
and a dozen others have been inquir-
ing about you. You are this years
prize beauty" and he laughed proudly.
Embarrassed by the display he APP
parentIy wis'~d to make of her. Molly
followed him into the maze Of gor-
Seous drawing rooms. where the arts
t0cracy of Ring county and the state
diSpayed its evening clothes in con-
stantly shifting array.
The mayor himself a keen eyed
young man with nreternaturally
bald head and reputation which fol
lowed him about like a black cat. came
hnrrying up to her with her Gance
program III his hand. With him was
gangling old beau with professions
al lady killer smirk whom he intro
duced by an unintelligibe name and
handed to Fern as penance for all
her miSdeeds
They're already forming for the
grand march" the mayor informed her
as he led the way to the big ballroom
with the magnificent pipe organ. which
Molly had coveted for year
The line was half formed, and the
parade was filing rapidly and with
much laughing confusion as the may
or hurried with her down toward the
center Of the hall. where the governor
already stood with his lady.
Where is orr place." asked Molly
figuring rapidly There was a state
senator, world famous sociologist, a
musician OF international reputation
and three state representatives. The
mayor probably would be about No. s.
"Oh, I'm not your partner, he re-
GREETED, I'm not so lucky. don't
even get to dance with you until No
s. And, to Molly's GREATNESS delight.
he led her straight up to the eminent
sociologist. who stood Immediately be-
hind the governor.
The eminent sociologist, who under
that title had sounded so fOrbidding.
proved 10 be young looking man
with a dancing eye. who hailed her
with Joy and unspokeniy claimed at
tention solely on his merits as a live
member"
She found it difficult as he smiled
so frankly and boyishly at her to re-
member that this was man whose
name was known throughout the civ
ilized world for his keen thought upon
political economy in its broadcast sense,
and the astounding part of it was that
he was so good looking. graceful and
self possessed and, most astounding Of
all, that he Immediately began to talk
to her about baseball.
The equally eminent musician. lust
behind him. claimed Professor Watts
attention for a moment. and Molly
glanced complacently back along the
line. Mrs. Allerton. the wife of the
senator. was just behind her. looking
hot daggers into her shoulder blades,
and Molly. suppressing a giggle as she