Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1916-02-11

II said they were from Sledge" cried
Fern. "Molly. it was awfully crude of
him. but | love him for it-dont 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
deliberation, also like q man who had
given himself plenty of time for
thought Bert stood at her elbow, lis
tening to one side of the conversation
and piecing out the other with painful
ly knotted intellect Molly turned to
| him with calm satisfaction.
Father says that am to consider
The cars as q gift from him." she pride
fully announced.
Fern executed the full figures Of
minuet and sang a 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"
81 never intended to give mine up"
Fern affirmed.
Bert walked Molly back into her
fathers den.
II have nothing to say about what
Fern does" he firmly announced, but
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 l am to con-
slider the car as a gift from him." re-
peated Molly primly. but with a snap
in her eyes.
"That is only an evasion" Bert in
sisted. "You 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. I'VE
can break our engagement"
"Impossible!' Immediately declared
Bert, frightened. II didn't mean any
thing like that, Molly" and he attempt.
ed to take her hands and perform a
little Of the lOvemaking which he had
rather neglected.
II mean it. though" she insisted,
drawing her hands away from him.
"Our engagement has only brought
trouble to everybody concerned and
has subjected me to more than one in
suit which l had no right to expect.
If we declare it off both you and ia
Their can go right back to where you
were in business way"
Its too late for tnat," he assured
her. sitting down to reason it out with
her on the commercial plane since she
seemed to insist upon it. II could
never regain the political friendship
which is necessary to my style Of bust
ness. My commercial career in this
city is Mt on end, and my social stand
ing would be also Knowing this,
have been in correspondence with my
people in Baltimore. They have a
magnificent business opening there for
me. but it takes 100000 to obtain con
troll of it. laid the matter hc'ore
your father. ard he invp~ti.ratrd it
Our conclusion is t,lis--if we can close
up our business satisfactorily here and
he can sell this rl"ce W. shall have in
the neighborho; Il of $150.000 clear be-
tween us. You and I are to marry, go
to Maryland with your father, enter
into business and take up the social
When l take you there as my bride,
Molly. everybody's going to be very
proud Of you. and l am quite sure that
you will like the social atmosphere
there much better than here. I've
dwelt on this so often to you that it
must seem like an old story. and yet
this is the first time that it has seemed
very near to u.s."
Molly felt herself wondering why
this glittering promise failed to thrill
her as 1t had used to do.
I'll be the proudest Glider that was
ever in the family when 1 can take you
home as my wife," he went on. Its
all cut and dried. Molly, and we ex-
pect to have everything closed up be-
fore our wedding day If We can hold
Sledge off that long"
And vet you scold me for helping
you hold Sledge off when you couldn't
do 1t yourselves" she retorted. "Why
you actually suggested to me that
should see what l could do with him."
II don't like the way you're going
about it," he confessed.
You should be proud Of me-" she re
proved him. II think that Fern and
have done beautiful job Of It," and
she began laughing. Were going to
put on our very best frocks tonight and
be credit to you. You're ungrateful."
and she began to look indignant again
LETS forget it." offered Bert, laugh.
ing, and took her in his arms. you're
the girl for me. Molly, and there won't
be any more envied couple in Maryland
than We"
He kissed her and held her while he
talked to her Of the social triumphs
which awaited them. the topic which
had always pleased her most in their
plans for the future. After ALL they
would make splendidly matched cou.
pie. Moreover, she did owe it to her
father and Bert to give them another
business start.
CHAPTER XIV.
| A LARGE Surprise For Each Of the Girls.