Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-01-29

Senator Allerton and Governor Waiver
on most important conference. one
involving the welfare and prosperity of
half the voters in the state; but, new
ertheless. he promptly stified his con-
science and allowed the interests of the
sovereign people to suffer when Davis
whispered in his ear that Molly Marley
wanted to see him.
Bring her right in" said Sledge.
Men. you'll have to go. It's lady"
and he opened the rear door for them.
Just one moment" parleyed Gov
ernor Waver. his hand on the door
knob. I'm returning to the capital this
afternoon. and
I'll see you up there" interrupted
Sledge. pushing the door and the gov
ernor with 1t.
by the way, my coat" called the
senator from the rear corridor.
The knob of the other door ratified.
"All right" grunted Sledge, closing
them out in the draft just as Molly and
Fern came in. Hello, girls" said
Sledge. "Sit down. Excuse me a min
ute till l poke guys Benny out to.
him"
Sledge walked into Marley's office
with his parlor smile, the recently out
lived one which belonged Of right to
the red rose he wore, and he sat down
before he began to speak. His usual
method was to deliver his messages
standing.
1--WE ought to figure a consolidation,
he suggested.
Marley considered that statement
carefully. He was beginning to learn
that he really needed caution in deal
ing with Sledge.
"One of us might be gobbled up" he
sagely concluded. GAS 1 understand 1t.
you own Is per cent of the new COM
pany. while only hold bare majority
of the old one. It would scarcely be
possible that in a consolidation l would
still have control"
WED have to pool our stock for
either one to hold it," agreed Sledge.
Marley looked at him wonderingly.
Il don't quite understand the advan,
tage to you in this" he puzzled. Frank
ly. Mr.. Sledge, I'd have to see that ad
vantage before I could consider the
matter"
There amt any" Sledge confessed
II want to protect you if everything's
all right. Molly was just over"
Yes; she said she was going to see
you" replied Marley, clutching eager
ly at the straw.
Il thought she'd get enough" stated
Sledge. and he chuckled She's q
smart girl
Yes; she is" assented Marley, won
dering just how much she had said tC
make such a remarkable change In
Sledge "A consolidation would proba
bly, be very sensible thing. 1t would
enable us to plan extensions, lines anG
loops which would increase our reye
nues tremendously. with no possibility
of dividing the patronage. Moreover
a mere announcement of such move
would add Immediately to the marke
value of the stock in both companies
I'VE consolidate after the marriage.
amended Sledge. I'VE get all ready
now
ANY time you say readily consent
ed Marley. III meet with you and ar
range the details tonight"
Nav" refused Sledge "Theater to,
night"
With Molly?' inquired Marley
wanting to smile.
Molly and Fern. Ferns nice kid
"All right; tomorrow night. then.
suggested Marley his mind firmly
fixed on the commercial opportunity.
Daytime" corrected Sledge. I'm
busy nights. Say, Marley, is that game
between Molly and Bert called clear
off,
Did Molly say so?" evaded Marley
No" Sledge hesitated is it,
That's entirely Molly's affair
II believe you" conceded Sledge. ant
again he chuckled as he arose to go.
is there any objection to giving Out
hint of this consolidation: asked
Marley. with an instant thought thai
at the very least this new turn would
enhance his price with the syndicate
which had proposed to buy him out.
"Hunh-uh" assented Sledge. "Yot
better see Davis about your mortgage
He won't extend. but he'll hold off. "
I'll go over right away answered
Marley, anxious to take advantage o
that offer also as quickly as possible.
wait till tomorrow" ordered Sleds
and stalked out. having but very It'll
time to waste.
His way lay directly past the Grant
Opera House, and he stopped at tn
ticket window.
Give me a box for tonight" h
grunted.
"Thanksr' grunted sledge and stuffe'
the tickets in his pocket.
Don't mention it." returned tn
treasurer as HOHCudldutls anu "diho'
back to the manager of the company.
"What kind Of show is this?' aske
Sledge.
l Rotten the ticket man informe
him. Its highbrow stuff, Hamlet. .
"Hunhw grunted Sledge. Amy mi
sici"
:. Orchestra. Ophelia sings, but you
think she was having her teeth fixed
"Hunhr' observed Sledge again, an
. walked out.
Two blocks up the street, on his va
TO the Occident, he stopped at an aut'