The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-06-27
This afternoon" consented the

boss.
In the meantime, Bert Glider
his whole bearing alive with the
citation of a man who has just
been accepted by the most popu-
lar girl in his set, marched jaunt'
lily in.
I'm all ready to take over
that Person tract" he announced
Sledge swung ponderously, fac
ing him.
Il want to tell you something
he warned. I'm going to marry
Molly Marley"
80 you told me last night,
returned Bert, suppressing q
smoker. "But really, Mr.. Sledge
what has that to do with the
Person tract?"
"Tll rub 1t in," kindly Offered
Sledge. IF you get in my road
with Molly, I'll wipe you out"
II understand" Bert was a
clever man, and he knew 1t. do
you suppose Bendix will be in in
half an hour?"
"Uh-huh," grunted Sledge.
"I'll return in that time, u
promised Bert, and hurried out
complimentine himself as he went
on his shrewdness.
He hurried down to the Hotel
Abbot, where he was lucky
apoYub 70 find Da11ar, mn,,Li N O
furiously over a prospectus of the
proposed new amusement com
pany.
well, it's all settled" declared
Bert. "Pll have that Person prop
erty in my possession this after
noon"
Il wouldn't close today at any
price" responded Bozzam. Il
want thirty-day option"
Bert was silent. and for the sec.
ond time that morning had an
idea.
=, nat will you give me for a
thirty-day option?" he inquired
Five hundred dollars"
1r and above the purchase
price?"
well, yes," consented Bozzam
twenty-five thousand five hun
dred in ALL"
"All right" agreed Bert, and
went out smiling. He was bril-
liant chap; full of ideas.
He hurried back to Sledge's Of
flee, where he found Bendix, and
going over to the courthouse, they
spent the next hour deciding the
Person estate to the shrewd
young real estate Spectator, who,
after a visit to the bank with
Bendix, gave up twenty thousand
dollars for the privilege.
This ceremony concluded, Bert
hurried down to the telephone,
but did not wait to have Molly
called. He only directed the maid
to tell her he was coming straight
out.
Frank Marley, when he walked
into his own residence, called
Molly into his den at the end OF
the hall.
Molly, I wish to speak with
you seriously" he observed.
what is the matter?" she in
quired, instantly concerned.
"Sledge," he replied.
She sat down, and her cheeks
flushed. HE has been speaking
of me- she surmised.
Her father admitted it, pleased
with her quiet tone. He is ex-
tremely anxious to marry you
Molly"
And are you in favor of such
marriage?" she asked, so dis.
passionately that he mentally
complimented her on her good
sense.
well, yes" he said again.
I'm mott" she blazed. 1T may
seem cruel in me to interfere with
any of your business plans, but il
is too late to dispose of me-"
She sailed out of the room, and
was confronted by the flushed
and excited Bert Glider.
81 say, Molly" he blurted
"have you told any one of oul
engagement"
"Why?" she returned, wonder.
ing at his anxiety.
well. I'll tell YOU" he chuck
led. "A great stunt has turned
up. You know, l had decker on
with Sledge. l went to him to
close it, after telephoned you my
heart and hand, and he had the
nerve to tell me that I'd better
stay out of the deal If l didn't
keep away from you. Molly,
beat him at his own game. ]
closed the deal with him, and i'm
mediately gave a thirty-day OPP
ton on the property. All we have
to do, for me to make five-thou-
sand-dollar profit, is to keep our
engagement a secret for thirty
days"
Molly opened her eyes in
amazement.
why didn't you tell me our
engagement was a business deal?"
she suddenly flared. I'm sorry
to be the bearer of sad news.
You're broke!"
"Broke!' he exclaimed. "What
have you done?"
only told Willie Walters"
she carelessly stated. 1--WE prom
Used him the scoop since forever
Is that the Blade you have in your
pocket?"
She took 1t, still folded, from