The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-07-01
A Novel
A Week!

Billy pulled away from the porch.
She waved her hand at SledEe az
they made the turn. There was a
new droop 10 his shoulders as he
stood there on the stately big porch.
all alone. IN his black Prince Albert.
with a red rose in his buttonhole,
and his silk hat In his hand.
Around the corner OF the house
there painfully limped a once white
bull terrier. with one eye gone and
both ears chewed to ribbons. Slow
ly. tortuously, he wabbled 3erkily
along the path and up the steps. and
rubbed his battered old head
against Sledge's leg.
Molly tapped half Historically on
the window in front OF her. and
fumbled frantically 10 get II open.
Drive back" she called. i
want 10 see Bob"
CHAPTER XVII.
The Consolidation
Bob looked up at her with dis
tinct grin as she alighted. and when
she stopped swiftly down and put
her arm about his neck. he laid his
head against her knee and whined
Hes crazy about you" said
sledge. looking down NJ them both
with hungry affection.
Gov. Waivers former butler. a
gray haired Englishman OF tortur.
Ing dignity. came out on the porch.
Il beg your pardon. SIR" he said
10 Sledge.
sledge turned and looked him
over with disfavor. 'Well?" he
grunted.
mir. Reeler is telephoning. sir.
He wishes TO know II Miss Marley
is here"
"Come on. Molly" invited Sledge.
Well tell him" They went into
the library.
He picked up the telephone.
Hello. Tommy. Yes. you bet she's
here. No, nothin' doin'l Molly wins.
Sure, Here. Molly"
Molly took the telephone. but In
stead OF the full voice OF Tommy
she heard the eager one OF Fern.
Are you married yet. Mollyf"
Fern wanted to know.
mot yet" laughed Molly.
81 didn't think you would until
Tommy and got out there. she
chartered. "oh. Molly. isn't II just
great"
Just what do you mean is 20
great7" inquired Molly.
"Oh. everything. Wait minute. -
There was pause. and then there
was a great change in the voice oi
Fern. Tell me It isn't so. Molly
Tommy says you're not going to
marry Sledge."
did you really expect me to-
asked Molly. curiously.
why. OF course ! did" declared
Fern. You're crazy In love with
him. You always have been. Now
haven't your"
Have -" wondered Molly. dazed
and thinking II over.
"Of course you have" insisted
Fern. you've been dippy about
him ever since he sent out that first
wagon load OF red roses. only you're
too stubborn TO say so. I'm so dis
appointed | can't see, Molly"
"Why?"
ut was so romantic. Tommy's
been telling me all about II. Tom
my's already got the county clerk
by phone, at his home. and he's
gone over TO the court house TO get
n blank marriage license. He's
probably on the way out there now
TO have you fill II in at the house
and Judge Blake is with him to per,
form the ceremony. | was going to
bring out your father in my car
and Tommy"
Bring Jessie" begged Molly.
Anybody else?" asked Fern,
quivering with eagerness you
can't have Bert, you know. He's
gone. He's hustled down to the po-
lice station to have Sledge ar.
rested"
Both the girls laughed hilarously
nj that absurd idea. while Sledge
stood in dumb trance.
Wen hide him." giggled Molly
~ we can find any place big
enough | don't want Judge Blake,
Fern. Has DIR. Templeton gomez"
YES. but we can get him again.
shrilled Fern. Say. Molly. Jessie
tells me she's afraid she won't dare
come. Sledge, you know"
"You tell Jessie it's all right" d.
rected Molly. "Mr. Sledge is going
to take fathers company into the
consolidation, and that will make
everybody's stock worth 500 n
share tomorrow morning" She
turned from the telephone min.
ute. Say, Benny" she addressed
Sledee. mischievously, sliding her
disengaged hand affectionately up
on his shoulder. would you object
to having DR.. Templeton marry us7
THAT preacher that soaked me I'm
tho neck?" queried Sledge. Gee
MOI"
THE END