The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-06-29
by George Randolph Chester,
Copyrighted.
Continued from our last issue. }


Now 1t happened that this was
the wisest thingdhat Marley could
have done. For Bozzam had not
for a minute been fooled by
Sledge's action In regard to Feed
err, and had made up his mind
that the career of the Big Boss
was about to end. The coming
election would settle that.
So when the president of the
traction company appeared at his
office he greeted him cordially,
and before he left il was ar
ranged that Marley should buy,
for fifty thousand dollars. the
new franchise Sledge had rail-
roaded through the city council.
And the further secure things,
1t was understood that Marley
was to secure control of the COM
pany. This was easy with every
body in a panic and eager to sell
even at thirty-five.
This was all great news for
Molly. who was looked upon as a
budding financier by both her
father and Bert, the latter being
instrumental in buying up small
holdings of stock for Marley on
the quiet.
But for all Bert's quiet work
Sledge, after a long consultation
with Bendix and Davis, neither OF
whom could affirm anything save
that Marley had had money for
several days and was using cash
STROBE into the offices of the trac-
ton company, and stopped at
Hunts desk.
Marley drawn any money
here?" he wanted to know.
His salary" replied Hunt
fawning servilely on the big man
who stood at his side.
"Huh!" and Sledge turned
from the desk. Anybody in
with him."
Il think his daughter, SIR
smirked Hunt. and Mr.. Glider
unless they have gone out the
other way"
Sledge looked down at his
lapel. The red rose was an excel
lent specimen. He walked unan-
nounced into Marley's office
pausing just inside the door
struck dumb by tableau being
enacted at the opposite entrance
Bert Glider, in the act of depart
ing was kissing Molly goodbye,
and Marley, at his desk, was look
ing on unconcernedly. Bert grimm
ed impudently at Sledge and de-
parted. Molly grinned tantalizing-
ly at him, and sat in the leather
chair opposite her father. Marley
grinned cheerfully and offered
him a cigar. II
Who gave out the dope about
extending the Ridgewood avenue
line?" Sledge gruffly wanted to
know.
81 did," returned Marley calm.
ly. II thought it might help the
price of my stock. It's been going
down of late"
Who gave you the word?"
81 didn't need it," Marley re.
minded him. Pm still president
of the road, You know"
I've called 1t off," Sledge in.
formed him. You got no fran.
chise."
Il beg your pardon" Marley
smilingly interrupted. THE origi.
nal franchise granted a line to the
end of Grace street. When it was
cut through, to connect with
Ridgewood avenue, the authorize.
ton of the cut, and all the con.
domination proceedings, were fol
an extension of Grace street."
May tell Mr.. Sledge what We
intend to do out there?" Molly
pleasantly inquired.
Il don't mind" granted Mr.
Marley. beaming upon his child.
I'VE plan to carry out the orig
inal idea of building an amuse.
ment park on the Person prob
erty, and to drop the Lincoln
Road project, If the stockholders
don't object at their meeting to.
morrow" she happily told him
Mr.. Glider thinks it a much bet
ter location. Shall you be at the
meeting, Mr.. Sledge?"
In reply he chuckled at her.
| You're a corker!" he eompli.
mented her.
You don't own much stock any
more, do you?" she went on, de-
lighted with her catechism.
Enough to stick around" he
reminded her. Molly, my Bob il
matched against the champion 40,
pound bull of Chicago tomorrow
night. | can arrange for you tc
see the scrap without these
rough-necks geeting a peek al
you"
Thank you," she replied. "I'n
sure | can't come, however. I've
never seen a dog fight and | DOM
want to see one. But | do hope
Bob wins"
He'll win." declared Sledge
confidently. Hes never beer
licked yet"
Everybody gets it some time
don't they?" Molly dimpled up al
him.
"Uh-huh!" he gruffly assented
Full of thought, he went ovel
to see Bozzam, who now had ar
office in the newest palace OF
commerce.