Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1916-03-16
CHAPTER XII--CoNr1SuED

thc sunday dinner, came just in time
to sit down at the table with the fam
lily, and he was so preoccupied that
Molly was half vcNed with him.
Now, who has won part of your
marbles" she chided him, attempting
to conceal her annoyance with him un-
der the Guise of gay raillery.
Bert already looks like a married
man." laughed Fern. I'D be fright
ened half to death, Molly. Think what
he'll look like at a breakfast on the
first of each month";"
Hell never see the meat BILL" de-
clared Molly. 81 intend to begin with
alimony."
Il hope l a pay it," responded Bert,
catching the all too jovial spirit of the
assemblage and pretending to gayety
himself. II think my first step toward
making a living, however, will be to
move out Of this state where l can buy
and sell a piece of property without
asking permission of some alderman or
ward thug"
Il think We'll all CO." suggested Mar
ley, who had been looking studiously
into his soup. what has happened to
worry you, Bert"
"Since Sledge smiled?' queried that
neatly mustached young man in order
to head him off from that reproach. 81
think l have good cause this time. l
took a drive out Lincoln road this
morning, and they're going ahead with
their amusement park project"
impossible" asserted Marley,
Strengthening in outraged dignity,
while the Ring City Street Railway
company has a Lincoln road franchise,
which would prevent our competitors
from obtaining one. 1t has not an
nounced any intention of building in
that direction and will not do So"
Bert laughed quite without mirth.
"9ou remind me Of that good old
standard story of the mali who was
arrested for some trifling ~offense. He
sent for his friend and explained the
circumstances. why, it's COMPOUNDED
nonsense! exclaimed the friend, hold
ing the bars and looking through the
grating Of the cell door. No policeman
on earth can throw you into Jail for
that"
"Why, he was in Jail at that very
minute" protested Fern.
Il think that's supposed to be the
point of the story" guessed Molly. "Of
what is it apropos. Bert?"
"Of the impossibility of building an
amusement park on Lincoln road" he
answered. They're digging a lake out
there. They've erected the scaffolding
of a roller coaster. They've built a big
Workshed, which is later to be turned
into a Tannenbaum hall, which just
now is stacked with gaudy parts of q
three story merry-go-round. 1t may be
utterly impossible for them to build an
amusement park out there, but they're
doing it,
Molly glanced quickly at her father.
He motioned that his untouched sour
might be taken away and toyed in ner-
yous embarrassment with an almond.
"Ive already done it." he half shame
facedly explained.
"Sold your stock?" she eagerly in
quired.
mot quite" he hesitated. II did,
however. stop at the telegraph office on
my way back from Allerton's this
morning, and | wired the people who
have been after my stock to name their
best Offer"
Good! h responded. Twill you
take it, whatever it Isl"
Il can't bind myself to that he re-
piled. Il must confess. however, that,
whatever the offer is. shall be
tempted"
"Allerton must have given you very
little satisfaction about that BILL" sur
missed Bert.
Quite the contrary" stated Marley.
1.-THE bill is absolutely harmless. 1t is
only a bit Of political %fapdoodle, in
tended to convince the voters Of the
state that Allerton is constantly on the
job"
Something must have happened to
make you change your mind so quick
~" pondered Molly. whatever it was
I'm glad Of it. You must have met
Sledge," and she giggled.
"Sledge must have smiled at him."
laughed Bert, keeping up the joke.
Il have excellent reasons" Marley
concluded. with becoming business
gravity. THE future Of street railway
investment in this city is too uncer-
TAIN"
Father" said Molly suddenly in the
midst of the silence which followed,
IF Mr.. Sledge finds you have sent that
telegram he will do whatever he is go
ing to do before you can turn around
He'll have to move quickly" an
swered her father with a superior
smile, his self appreciation returning on
the slightest provocation. 81 sent my
people that telegram today so they
would have it the first thing Monday
morning. They We're very eager while
they were here to acquire possession,
and I shall doubtless hear from them
by 10 O'clock"
g" wish I could sleep until 10 and