Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1916-03-23

Il thought not" returned bert, with
IL very near approach to profanity. 81
didn't think you'd weaken our capital
by a $4,000 extravaganza of that sort"
II don't understand you" puzzled
Marley.
1.-Two small inclosed cars came out
here about fifteen minutes ago, and
the man in charge of them said that
you sent them. Personally l think
Sledge has been getting fresh"
Its barely possible" agreed Marley,
feeling a dangerous Indignation rising
within him. Leave that to me, Bert.
AS Molly's father il my affair. I'll
investigate it at once"
Palpitating With all Il righteous ia
theirs Jealous care, Frank Marley kept
the telephone busy until he located
Sledge.
II say, Sledge,' he hlurted. Did you
send out Il couple of automobiles to
my house,
Nav. Marley" chuckled Sledge.
They're toys. You sent 'cm. DO they
like 'em:"
Il haven't inquired" returned Mar
ley, still standing by his fathers dig
nifty. Really, Mr.. Sledge, you know
L can't allow my daughter to receive
eXtravagant presents of that sort from
any one other than myself"
law, cut it, advised Sledge. II Get
you. If they don't like 'em, I'm the
goat. If they do, close your trap. You
sent en-
We'll, but
II say you sent en- insisted Sledgc,
with a gruff loss of his cordiality,
which had been apparent in his former
tones, and Marley heard the click of
disconnection.
Nearly an hour later two shining lit
tie colonial coupes, the red curtained
one in front, drove up to the Marley
porch, whore Bert Glider gloomcd in
the doorway. They We're driven by Il
happy girl each and had no other oc-
cupants.
Come and take Il ride with me,
Bert hailed Molly, so full Of delight
that she had absolutely forgotten her
quarrel with him, which was Il blow
indeed. You can't drive, though"
Fern had emerged from her car.
I'm going to have my dinner here"
she l~aughingly announced. 81 think l
shall go to the theater tonight in mine.
Jump in Molly's car, Bert, and try it.
1t rides like a rocking chair"
mo. thank your returned Bert cold
ly. "Thosc cars are going back to the
salesroom. l felt sure that your IA
Their had not given them to you, after
u business arrangement of this morn
ing. They are a present from Sledge."
"Oh, please, no." pleaded Molly. with
a heartsick glance at her red curtain
ed cal. She had loved it at sight, but
now. since she had learned to know it,
she adored it. GLOW do you know that
they are from Sledge?"
Il suspected it from the beginning"
he stcrnly informed her. $50 I called
up your father"
II said they We're from Sledgc." cried
Fern. molly. it was awfully crude of
him. but l love him for it-don't you?"
"What did father say?" demanded
Molly.
He Is investigating"
Molly marched straight to the tele-
phone AND called up her father. He
talked to her kindly, wisely and with
elaboration, also like a man who had
given himself plenty Of time for
thought. Bert stood at her elbow, lis
tening to n side of the conversation
and piecing out the other with painful
ly knotted intellect. Molly turned to
him with calm satisfaction.
Father says that 1 am to consider
fully announced.
Fern executed the full figures Of a
minuet and sang 4 merry tra-la-la all
the way through. Molly helped her
sing and dance the last figure.
Three cheers.!" she eXulted. Now
We may keep our cars"
II never intended to give mine up"
Fern affirmed.
Bert walked Molly back into her
fathers den.
Il have nothing to say about What
Fern does he firmly announced, "but
1 have something to say about your
conduct. You can't shut your eyes to
the fact that sledge has given you this
car, and he has no right to do So"
MY father says that I am to con-
slider the car as q gift from him." re-
peated Molly primly, but with a snap
in her eyes.
"That is only an evasion" Bert in
sisted. "Iou have willfully misled
Sledge into the belief that you intend
to put yourself in the position Of re-
ceiving presents from him, and either
this thing must be stopped or there will
be unpleasantness between you and
me-"
"There is one way we can head that
off," Molly quietly assured him. eve
can break u engagement"
"Impossible!' Immediately declared
Bert, frightened. 81 didn't mean any
thing like that, Molly" and he ATTEMPT