Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1916-02-03
CHAPTER IN.
An Engagement Without a Kiss

IA EE"T, annoyed by the events of
rs the evening. but relieved to
MW some extent by Molly's mex
plicable and delightful change
of manner toward him in the pleasant
half hour before the party had dis
perScd. 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 reticcnt boss. To his sur
prisc, however, Slctlgc 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 Slcdgc. I'm going to marry
her"
Did she say So" inquired Bert.
Not yet acknowledged Sledge.
Shes thinking it OVER
OH returned Bert, much relieved
and smiling i'll the darkness. He COM
%placently twirled his mustache. He
had a good II on Molly.
what time am l to see you in the
morning about that Person property? 2"
he inquired. determined not further to
discuss the lady.
eleven O'clock"
Bert went into the house. half
amused and wholly vexed. 1t might
be very funny to see this laundering
big hoor making Il fool of himself,
but the joke was entirely ruined by
the fact that at the same time he was
making a 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 t%ransporta-
ton facilities, and With the increase Of
these would come an increase Of Mar
ley wealth and influence. 1t might be
a very handy thing for a young real
estate dealer to have the president Of
a rapidly expanding street railway
company for a 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.
lie aWoke determined to concrete
these dreams or to dismiss them and
lind others. Molly had either to ac-
cept nm or definitely to turn him
loose after what other fish there might
| la in rho con ThN oJ,c,,,1;+- "a -
ing Slcdge for Il rival was too much to
endure.
Tic went to his Office, dividing this
train of thought With his plans for the
marketing of the Person tract, hurried
TO the flrst National to secure IL loan Of
ten Thousand on 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 m
Molly.
May | come out?" he demanded.
"When?" drawled a languid voice.
Right away"
No she drawled again.
But, Molly, I must see you.n he seri-
ously insisted. Its 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," chided Molly. Moreover, this
is the first time by telephone, L think"
Il didn't mean it to be So" he apollo
sized. You've trapped me into it and
taken away any chance I might have
of persuasiveness. Now 1 suppose it
will be he's 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 Pm to have the
right answer this time"
IL uepeHuS on what you mean by
the right answer"
1.-THE n I've always wanted"
"What II is that?"
Yes" he blurted.
Yes what?"
will you?"
Yes"
Yes what?" he ~contusedly de-,
manded.
II will. Say, Bert. l don't like the
all platinum settings. 1 like the gold
saep.-