The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1916-04-06
CHAPTER III,

T ERT, annoyed by the events Of
the evening, but relieved to
a ~ some extent by Melly's mex
plicahle and delightful change
of manner toward him in the pleasant
half hour before the party had dis
parsed, took his thoughtful place in
Sledge's machine and prepared for the
usual welcome silence, which those
who knew him had a right to expect
from the reticent boss. To his sur
prise. however, Sledge talked.
Great party Molly had," observed
the donor Of the fireworks and the mu-
sic and the passes and the red roses.
"a feverish success" agreed. Bert
Molly is inclined to give you all the
credit for it.
"She can have anything she wants."
stated Sledge. I'm going to marry
her.
Did she say SOP" inquired Bert.
mot yet acknowledged Sledge.
She's thinking it over"
OH returned Bert, much relieved
and smiling in the darkness. He COM
placently twirled his mustache. He
had a good one On Molly.
"What time am to see you in the
Iorning about that Person property?'
he inquired, determined not further to
discuss the lady.
ELEVEN o'clock
int ho h1IA
amused and wholly vexed. 1t might
be very funny to see this laundering
big boor making a fool of himself,
but the joke was entirely ruined by
the fact that at the same time he was
making fool of everybody else.
Bert knew, to the share, how much
street railway and Gas and Electric
stock Marley held. The growing city
needed vastly increased transporta-
ton facilities, and with the increase of
these would come an increase of Mar.
ley wealth and influence. 1t might be
very handy thing for a young real
estate dealer to have the president of
rapidly expanding street railway
company for father-in-law. He went
to sleep, dreaming pleasantly of ex-
tensions and subdivisions and advance
information on factory sites-and of
Molly, of course
He awoke determined to concrete
these dreams OR to dismiss them and
find others. Molly had either to nc
cept him or definitely to turn him
loose after what other fish there might
be in the sea. The absurdity of hav-
ing Sledge for rival was too much to
endure.
He went to his Office, dividing this
train of thought with his plans for the
marketing of the Porson tract, hurried
to the First National to secure loan of
ten thousand Oh the new property and
arranged at the German bank for an
extension of certain other loans which
would have to be deferred if he used
his ten thousand available funds to
complete the cash purchase which
Bendix demanded. These more urgent
matters disposed of, he called up
Molly.
MAY come out?' he demanded,
"When?' drawled a languid voice,
fright away"
NO. she drawled again.
But, Molly, must see you," he seri-
ously insisted. "It's important"
1T always is" she laughed. whats
it about this time?'
"Oh. the same old thing" he ac-
knowledged, "only more so.'
You're crowding them closer to-
gether,' chidcd Molly Moreover, this
is the first time by telephone. think -
Il didn't mean it to be So" he apollo
sized. You've trapped me into it and
taken away any chance l might have
Of persuasiveness. Now I suppose 1t
will be the same old answer"
Not necessarily" was her astound.
ing reply, in the same sleepy drawl.
"What!'' he gasped. "Say that
again. ~ -. '
"Not necessarily" she repeated, and
he caught the sound of a repressed
giggle.
You're teasing me-" he protested.
you don't mean that I'm to have the
right answer this time"
ut depends Oh what you mean by
the right answer"
"The one I've always wanted"
what one is that?"
yes" he blurted. .-
Eyes What?''
will your
"Yes'
"Yes what?' he confusedly de-
manded.
Il will. Say, Bert, l don't like the
all platinum settings. like the gold
with the platinum prongs Size six
and half
I'm cheated he earnestly complain
ed. There are certain formalities
which l am keenly missing. I'm com.
ing OUT
The governors ball being considered