The evening world. Newspaper, October 10, 1914, Page 9

' A Te oe OR as . . . - : Set deceit: Gite I ag nl ci na alice tite nachen gents ‘” ~The Bvening World Daily Magazine: STILL BUZZING ~ xo: » pulse A TALE OF RED ROSES A Romance of Love, Bluff, Cash and & “Punch !') ° GEORGE RANDOLPH CHESTER (Author of “Get-Rich-Quick Wallingford,” &e.) FSA Sr et eo (Copyright, 1014, by Bobbe-Merrfll Oo.) entire company would not bring more than the junk-heap value of ite worn- pa i ye le ee not mre met the mortgage on house, could not have pald @ dollar of his debts, he would have been left with- a of poor families il lenry Peters’s, who had their all invested in his enterprise, True, they were ruined, anyhow, or would be; but he had a curiously unmoral sense that by etep- ping out from under before the crash ‘wad came, and b; being no longer at the loom: CHAPTER XXVIII. The Day of Thankagiving. LTHOUGH there were to be no guests at the Marley wedding, the house was naturally in @ atate of much tensity as the time epproached. In his pocket Mr. Marley had the @heck which reuoved him from the nerve-racking fiuctuations of his etreet car fortunes; which insured Molly and Bort and himself an en- trance into a new life and new op- unities; which made him safe mm Sledge; and yet he felt no great ezultation. It was a relief to him when Molly had him called to look at her where ghe stood at the head of the stairs, in her bridal gown, a fresh and glowing vision in her pure, shimmering white, The sight of her gave him a thrill of Bopefulness, too, the first of the day. “You're a beauty, Molly,” he called up to her. “I declare I don’t see how I have been lucky enough to keep you } with 80 long as this.” “That's a nice daddy,” she gayly @ssured him. Bert came in from the conservatory for the glimpse of her which he was to be permitted, and naturally he spoiled the picture by starting to dart upstairs, an action which had the re- gult of sending not only Molly and Fern but the admiring maids scurry- ing back to the boudotr, t! which sacred apartment they locked aad bolted, and would have barred, had there been any means to do so. Bert, quite properly defeated, came back down the stairs and joined Mar- ley. oN bridegroom doesn't amount to much, anyway,” he conveniently ad- mitted. “And a husband to less.” supple- mented Marley. “You'll discover by and by, my boy, that the lords of creation are only lords by proxy.” “Hello, Mariey,” hailed the voice of ‘Willie Walters. “Had your franchises cancelled and regranted?” “Don't need it,” replied Marley, re- flecting instantly that he was out o! the franchise worry, but curious nev- ertheless, “What do you mean?” Allerton bill was put through fts final passage last night,” explained ‘Walters. “Oh, yes, the Allerton bill,” smiled ay “I knew all about that.” fou don't seem to have got in early on the advantages,” remarked ‘Walters, scenting « story. “It's a law now, you know, operative from its “It won't hurt anybody,” chuckled Mariey. re wasn't much of im- tance in it.” PINOT" queried Walters, “Just enough to make a political corpse of AMlerton. Théy’! embroider that fifty-year-franchise clause on his ud.” onrprenchise clause? I don’t under- nd” “T thought you didn’t know the pro- visions of the bill,” went on Walters, ted to have unearthed angle to the story. “The thing is so beautifully juggied that it automati- cally extends all franchises granted within jast ten years, fifty years of lifetime, un the same terms ae their original charte: “Good!” returned Marley. “ franchises have been renewed within the last ten years.” “Now I know you've been w@jolced Walters, not that he had any enmity for Marley, but merely that he liked a good sory, “The Dill, @pecifically, does not appty to renew- als, but to original franchises, to Sledge's company,’ “Impossibie!” gasped Marley, “Get your alarm clock fixe: vised iter be council, ip franchises to Sledge’ ing ry atreet in tne city, including —now, Haten—including those streets now soreces By Sapeniess when tho! franchises expire Yor jor oS epi tnety Marley Seiko strength leaving & spasmodic sm- due to an entirely autorhatic mental impression that he still owned the olf company. “It's a bald-faced eteall” he hotly eee cooienent at Gledge’s whole- ale ation, “It's we pippin!” Walters, “Fact of the matter is, Marley, that unless you completed that consolida- tion with Sledge, at the expiration of three years he can mi you tear up your rolling etock and other trash. Did you consolidate?” “No,” laughed Marley, and for a moment Walters professionally hoped tally unbalanced solidate—I sold out “On the level?” queried Walters in- credulously. “To whom? How much? Did you get the cash?” “[ got the cash, but that’s all I'll answer,” laughed Marley. “I might reveal somebody's secrets if I told you more,” and despite the pleading of ‘Walters he refused to make another statement. ‘He turned from the telephone, atl! chuckling, but suddenly noticed that his hand was trembling as if it had been palsied. His body seemed to ave realised before his mind the overwhelming disaster which he had eras ett tt bs a = head of the company, he was passing along the moral responsibility of their downfall to the upstate ayndi- cate—and to Sledge. Thank God, he ‘wan safe! Again his bell rang. “Marley?” queried a tense person. “Yes,” he acknowledged, trying to place the voice as that of some news- per man of his acquaintance, and feeling again that comfortable sense of escape. “This is Coldman,” rasped the voice. “Say, Marley, we're in a ickle.” “What's the matter ™ f Mar. and ouri- ley, watching his right ously. Tt spasmodically where ft lay on the table, and he seemed to have no control over it. “Firm revoked my authority to act two days ago. Just got thelr notifica- tion,’ “Yes? led =Marley, with a strange inabilty quite to grasp the meaning of this. “Well,” went on Coldman, “I'm sending out your stock by @ messen- ger boy. You may as well tear up that check. It’s no good.” CHAPTER XXVIII. The Minister Comes. JONEST, I can't giggle about anything any more," fe- gretted Fern, rescuing a discarded shoe of Molly's from under the boudoir couch, and looking anxiously about her for any other traces of untidiness which the flustered maids might have left behind them. “I'm eolema in epite of mysdt.” “Please don't,” objected Molly, al- most piteously, “If you turn solemn, my last prop is gone.” “I didn’t mean to,” apologized Fern, “But gett! married is rather a weighty thing, after all, Besides that, my conscience hurts me,” “It should, I suppose,” agreed Molly. “Anybody's should. Why?" “About Sledge, Molly, he'e a nice old fatty.” “I never can remember him with an ugly thought,” admitted Molly, “I daren't sympathize wrth him, though. ¢ He started a rough game with me and I beat him, at” “All the girls will be envious of you,” went on Fern, determined to way nice things, “You should be very happy, Molly, about the new home and the fine business prospects, and the social triumphs which | know waiting for you; and you'll hav Polished husband of whom you can always be proud, and just buaheis and bushels of love, of cour “Of course," agreed Molly, looking at the little Dresden clock on the mantel. “Goodness, Fern; the min- lester is due to arrive in ten min- and Jessie Peters isn't here yet.” if she knew the importance of your informal invitation to call thi afternoon, she'd have been here hours ago,” laughed Fern, “I don't wonder, Molly, that, of all your girl friends, she was the o} you insisted on hav~ ing here, She’ darling!” “she's true,” added Molly, I had to be rough to do you to death, Fern, but you’ “I gu T am,” giggled see anything when there’s a chance for devilment,” Mina knocked at the door, ore over her handl- rveyed the handsome Molly and the pretty Fern, “Have her come right up,” directed Molly, brightening, and waited with. which changed to n when she saw the id traces of tears in the matter, Jessie?” she asked, stepping hastily forward, and Jessie, forgetting, or not a painfully fluffy wedding « threw herself dismally into Molly's arms. “They didn't want me to come!” he mul “Where is Dicky?” asked Molly, ‘He went on downtown on an rand. He'll be back after me in half an hour.” “Why didn't ey want you to come?” asked Molly anxiously, unt of your father,” gasped Molly. “What about him?” “Don't you know?" wondered Jes- half crying again. ‘Why, no, child,” worried Molly. “What is it? Tell ms and she heard Fern slipping quietly out of the room. She led Jessie over to the couch, and, all forgetful of her shim- mering satin, with its beautifully un- creased folds, eat down, “It's the street-aar stock,” Jessie explained. “Dicky just came out to the house with the news. There is to be no consolidation, The old tracks ‘are to be torn up three years from now and nobody would have the stock Ji for a sift. And it's ‘Thanksgiving 2 ih “That's only some wild rumor,” Molly assured her, wondering, never- theleas, at this new and stra: turn of financial gossip. “Even if it were true, though, how is father to blame?” ‘I don’t know, except that my father's like a maniac about it all and forbade me to come near this house.” Molly held her oloser, "Dicky brought mo, though, He waid thet he didn't think Mr, Marley ‘was tho thief, and that if he was, you [wes coming, ‘Hive 's geod Dicky, 3 a rv fp” and neve Jeanie eried a Uitie More, just on account of Dicky's ese. In “It isn’t father’s fault, it's mine,” confessed Molly, aghast, as she be- gan for the first time to fully realise abo! not like to let There was a the hundreds of real sufferers in this high-handed game which she and Sledge had played. “Mr. Sledge Wanted to marry me, and I was gaged to Bert. He broke Bert. Then father said he had money enough for all of us; #0 Sledge tried to break father, and I don't know how many people besides us have had to suffer for that. It's Sledge and I, Jessie— not father “Sledge is a beast,” charged Jessie, vehemently. “H the most crue! and vicious man in the world, I think. Dicky says he killed.’ “He isn't really so bai Molly, trying to be just. | “H. other strong people. He doesn't know how badly he hurts. He's like ® football player shaking hands with yor is a brut shuddered Jessie, stood by him in Maberly’s candy ore yesterday, and I was actually afraid of him for fear I would annoy him by being in his way and he might turn around and be rough to m Molly laughed softly at the idea of oer being rough to litte Jessie ‘Why, he'd be gentle to you as to be ridiculous,” she said. “Not even Dicky could be more gentl ees! ‘alghtened immediately. low absurd,” ehe euge “You don't know Dicky, Molly, isn't like other men, Why, when we found that we had lost every cent we had in the world, and would be in debt beside, and would even lose our home, fath for signing the mo been cross with got into difficulties; and there isn't a better father than mine, But Dicky! Why, when the West End Bank failed, because it held too many street railway securities, and Dicky lor the six thousand dollars he'd saved to buy us a home, do you know ie did? He took me to th and patted my hand through the show, and told me young we were, and how much money we were going to make, and how happy we'd be even if we didn't; and he wouldn't hear to father’s having us postpone our weding for a minut ‘Why, Molly, he can't do without me, and I can’t do without him. It's won- derful!l" Molly tted Jessie's shoulder thoughtfully, “L guesa you Doky love each other very much,” she Ls wt T don't know how to tell 11 fessed Jeenie shyly. “Love is suc tremendous thing, Molly. It cries. Molly was startled into silence. ‘What was this thing that she was doing? She was entefing on the most serious relationship in life as the termination of a game in which love, such as Jessie knew, had had no part; in which even romance, to which every girl is entitled at leant once, had been made subservient to business, to atook manipulations, to real estate deals, and to stubborn- neas, The only one who had been at all romantic, and she smiled a trace of humiliation as she remembered it, was big coarse Sledge! “You're going to be happy, Jessie,” admitted Molly, jing to Spenomtenge that she was half en- lous, ‘I'm #0 happy I'm selfish,” replied le, comfortably. "Ive even tor- gotten to ask why you were so in- Gistent this morning upon having me come over at such an exact minute, "I wanted you at my wedding,” emiled Molly, ‘Molly!" exolatmed Jensie, The Oh, and I came over in my old bi: why you and Fern are all tallored suit,” “That’a lucky,” laughed Molly "You know the old rhyme; ‘Bome- thing old apd something thing borrowed and somethi jomething blue,” ds insod Nain ts) "Tm hi t r 2, De ty on thet, t you, Youre jucky a Ae Sada Si ua, ABE ETE NG iaenstiecantn, pretty home, and everything Want, including the man you love.” 2 Molly, seeing that he wavered, hur- ried to his support. “I suppose eds He turned to her, and put bis hands Molly, putting her arm more lov! gy on her shoulders, ut her friend. Somehow, she did “I'm svory, Molly,” he said almply, of little Jessie. jock at the door, but ness than he was in the habit of looking into her ¢: with more fond- it was Fern who stood there in place showing her. of Mina. “We can stand it,” she comforted “The minister is here,” whispered him, “After all, it's only just. I feel Fern, in her most mysteriou her eyes were dancing. “Hi ir, and go much less wicked if we suffer with in the all the poor people we have helped to parlor trying not to see that shocking ruin,” picture, and Bert's in the } pulling his thumbs, and your father in the den, bra: A short laugh from Bert interrupt- ed her, and she turned to him with a Most respectably quiet. rising flame in her eyes; but little Jeasie, you come down with me. T'll Jessie Peters had caught her hand, send up Mr. Marley, and when he and was looking up into her face. and Molly start downstairs you're to ‘ ay the wedding march, while I back won the hammer-throwing medal in rt up under the delier, Now, his last year at college, had with- everybody to their pos She flew down the stairs and hur- di A moment later they heard a shriek, and, running to found Frank Marley sprawled on the floor, with Coldman's in his nerveless ried back to t the den, the: check crumpled fingers. CHAPTER XX1X. Mollie Starts for a Drive. LOOSENING of his collar, front door, which he opened, and a & dash of cold water into *econd later be was sitting in the sip of brandy, restored Frank Marley to consciousness, but he was Tommy kf . He semed visibly to have through the hall A ati old man. The minister, a tall chap who had drawn discreetly to the parlor when the conversation had begun, but now came back apologetically. “Iam sorry to urge you," he ob- served, looking at his watch. “I have & brief appointment, but I can re- turn.” “1 don't know," hesitated Molly, glancing at Bert, “Wait just a min- ute,” ‘The thin butler, who was now cross- eyed, came through the hall to tha umbrella rack. “Say, youse!”” bellowed the volce of Sledge, as his huge bulk, followed by shrunk in his clothes, and the flesh to {ve like @ ferry crowd have sagged in his cheeks. He tried to smile bravely when they set him in from the shock. hin chair, but the attempt was @ pa- ia failure, “I guess I'm out of the game,” he “My heart's bad." Molly took up the telephone, “I'll call Doctor Brand,” she anx- th confessed, fously d ded, Don't!" he begged, stopping her “Tt tan't physical, It's I've lost my nerve, Molly, We're broke!" “How can that be?” she puzzled, un- able to comprehend it. with his mental. Sledge wins. “You even she said meekly, but hor eyes of the devil as they met those of Tommy, Reeler. “Then it's off!" yelled kc sl and grabbed the startled Molly by the wrist. Bert endeavored to throw himself in between the two, and to face Sledge, but that experienced oid ward leader, who had not forgotten the training of his early days, gavo him a quick elbow in the pit of the stomach, and Bert doubled up in the middle like a jack-knife, and dropped heels up ona couch, clawing. for Oe mes who haa Dreath, while Sledge, as re 8 picked it from ‘the floor and was 4n,suto drey, dragn smoothin; “I don't Marley. ft out ‘Worthless: sight of It. they'll beat me.” Bert edged in between Molly and Fern, ao that he could stand directly with | in front of Marley, and see his face. ane Leon —_ i, tell ig that our whole plan has fallen to the ground?” e Marley nomena maior bine like he would in @ shower bath, but “How did it hapy juite understand,” wavered “I haven't the details; Marley groaned, can sue for It, but at unexpected defender, preacher threw himself upon the big The tall young boy bodily, avoided bow, arabt 0 pile-driver el- like left wrist, and with his right fist poked him in the jaw, Bledge shook his head and splutter never let go of Molly's wria' nd lodded on toward the front door, try- ing to force off the clutch of the tall but young minister with his mighty left by some trick Sledge hae secured arin. fifty-year franchises for every strect in the city, Including mine does that ai “How the check. inclined to warmed into @ trifle more of lift he explained, fay compan; ‘Inval et your” per- was the first opportunity he sisted Bert, his eyes falling again to enjoyed to wallop a man in That document looked #0 eoun much like real money that he was Sledge on his other jaw, believe it rather than smack was like @ kise ut a inwisted Bert. ia, aman claims he was front door, with Molly now scroam- not authorised to act.” Bert nipped out an oath, ‘The minteter, whose heart was par- tlenlarly in hia work, beca' cause, tndustriously dance. rley, Tommy Reeler, who had been clear- ‘© As ing the lege of the limp butler out of "It renders my street the path of progress, now sprang on ye junk heap. We the minister's back, and pinioned his busy arma from behind, while Bledge steadily dragwed them all toward the ing and Mina, her arma about her mistress’ waist, Jerking her from be- “[ suppose that if the sale haf been hind, & profitable one you never ve heard of the invalidity. y amile “Then all o would hook his head. ff," ti “Mina!" cried Molly, "Let go! You're pulling my arm in two!” The weight of Tommy Reeler told at last, The minister's hold on Bei n tract is Sledge's neck loosened, and he and le for enough to clear its own Tommy tumbled back with a thud unsalt ‘mor e, Your stock and mine are into the middle of the parlor, rolling worthless, Tam under the very chandelier which wa: stuok for the loan I made to give you to have been the pivot of the wed control, We haven't money enough to ding }o into business, and we ack east, Molly, it looks like a post. cular will, ere edged clo: ponement!” a ped her ari "t go boss contractor largely through mu and slip. favored hi ; "Not on my account,” protested with riey, fumbling at his collar, and and his fist held in convenient range rose feebly to adjust it befo. ‘Tommy, who had risen to be a enjoyed @ lively tussle with the’ young minister, but luck and he landed on top. behave!” he panted, and at the minister's throat Sledge around the neck A because I daren't punch a preacher.” With as steady a progress as if he had been marching behind a hearse, Sledge di lolly out of the ha and actoss the porchyand to the door of hia waiting NmouBine, Into which he pulled her with the same careful force as a man landing @ particularly game bass. “Home, Billy!" he chuckled to the driver. CHAPTER XXX. The Cross-Examination. OLLY'S frat and perfectly nor- mal action when the Iimou- sine drove away with her was to indulge in @ splen- did case of hysteria, not one detail of which was omitted. Bhe laughed, she cried, she shrieked, sho pounded her heels on the floor of the she tried to jump out of the ma- chine, she laughed and she cried again; and Sledge was so scared that ho wilted his collar. A “You're all right, Miss Molly,” he hoarsely cooed, over and over, but finally a happy shougnt ny ae a ni a ard wi A gruttiy’d rected y, Billy, atop at ‘8 and bring out a slus dabbed at her eyes with the filmy lace handkerchief which she had intended to carry under the cut glass she complain’ He let go slowly, and looked at the indentations of his big almost blubbered, he confessed. “Why, V4 saw my off before T'd burt you. Why, dog-gone It, you’ ike a flower, or a butterfly, or canary to me. Look at that wrist," She drew her hand away, with a splendid assumption of cold dindain, although, through some of fancy, she could see the giggling face of Fern. “Mr. Sledge, where are you taking ‘ome,"" he informed her. “We're goana get married.” In apite of her tearing anger, there was something in this so ridiculous elled to laugh, and Pisiea, ed. tohin driver. Please right!" r up!" he yelle “T want that booze quick! don't, Miss Molly; you're made the futile attempt of mopping his brow with the foolish little handkerchief which he somehow found in his hand. “Let me out of here!" she de- !" he gruffly replied. “You don't fool me again. I'm goana mar~ ry you.” “You ca » “Tt fan't ‘yon,’ he insleted, I couldn't let you marry that pinhead, He's a woman fusser. He's been mixed up with aince you were engaged, and he'd never stop.” 5 “Tt won't do you any good to be- am Bert he flared “LT oan't,” he informed her. “I kept my mouth shut, but now I got to spill what | know, These pretty men are always worse afte Bert's a bum! H yellow the nize of got the braine of make @ living unless somebody helps him, You'd hate his bones in aix , Bo don't you marry him!" “{ am the one to decide on that, Molly indignantly advised him, Bledge looked at her a moment con- templatively, then he opened the for- ward window, “Btop|" he ordered Billy, and glosed the window again, “All right) ko to ity decide,” he unexpectedly told ber 4s the machine stopped, “Rut be on tho level now, Do you love Bert?" “That's my affair,” she evad flushing unoomfortably, “Naw, it ain't,” he Ingisted, ‘i's mine, Do you love him enough to be poor with him? Now, be square.” Molly was silent. dy ft \eroscopical sacrutin: “I don't — “You th" he juded. "Put it want vou to start anythin with me, the siner war. ioe’ about ‘Bent ee <a - — a. es ii a a Now, don’t kid yourself.” Again Molly was silent. She could that queation if she chose, and the picture of litle Jessie Potera’s sublime adoration of Dicky Reynolds came before her ey linked with the memory of Bert's face when he dad sug Jed @ postponement. Being was an incident with Jessie and Dicky, and entirely aside from their love. With Bert and herself it was the love which had been incl- dental, Sledge waited @ reasonable time for her to all Bert's enthusiasm. “Home! commanded Billy. “You see, I'm wise, Miss Molly. That pinhead couldn't fove anybody enough to go the distance, I can. I'll mur. der anybody you name, Want any- body killed?” “Yout” she savagely retorted, and then, to her own surprise, laughed. She ‘had put her hand on the catch of the door, but, since he made no attempt to stop ber, she left i¢ there. “You don’t hate me that much, calmly informed her. “You like m he Ii hed; thia time at his Daivete. rou '@ like this,” he 1 na Pieonveth ny min: but I can start something at + ute, and when I do I can finish it ‘You don’t know it, but you're strong for that.” ‘With a thrill Molly realized that he was right in this. She did admire force, Sho admired Sledge, and, now that she bad time oe oes thing within her direct ‘and simple method of breaking edding. gt Tove Faitterent,” she replied, arguing to herself than to him. "Nix!" he denied, “It's the strong- there is." tt ovecceleh” Molly mused, remem~- Tonale. aie hurts,” he agreed, “It used to sound like a joke to me—till 1 got it. Now 1 want to break chains with my lt Molly, when I think of you jon't dare touch you; could moter. wreaks You don't want £0 go back and marry Bert, do you?” His voice had in it a trembilng plea, fo un-Sledgo-like that ahe would have 'Mtied him had she not been ao abe Rorbed in her atartling attitude toreerd ‘ a . ine aie nore remote and absurd t whe should go back and Ty, 4 ‘ Not" e bluntly confessed. ) the front window, Freee tpt he ndmoniahed Billy, Molly laughed. ond amenow she felt a sense of Meo relief, of freedom, of exhilaration A her release from Bert. It would has i been wic to have entered into lifelong marriage with she seemed always to . undercurrent of that hie iad she had hidden from hernelf. ioe thet trace of resentment rose in Tightly girls were taught to look oo te 4 upon the marr eo ought t be enter fearty that ‘a girl might select her life partner because he was a good dancer. mat 1 “] don't mind confessing would in all Wkaltneos Leta engagement, eve! ig oa she told Sledge, deciding lovey denly to have it nt oUt, 10 08 Dee oe . and, for the firs . of hervown ecif squarely tn the face. | “L had realized Just at the last iq ment,” she went on, ‘that Bert's be tude toward our marriage wan oot what it should be, That does not ros essarily mean, gh ae “= marry ee cou can't make me do, Mr. e had an pene gehich fede and she looked him quietly th e. mi My tadied her « Jong time and felt footer one not,” he humbly confessed. “1 thought I could, but I got to let you vote gould not know how much that ° t him, but she vaguely mee et verand womething like pity 4 within her, ma seh, home,” she added, ing over the out-of-the-w y, route, “Miner? she returned. “le wae to be,” he corrected, “The Governor's hou! I bought It, furni- ture and all. T t Waver to Paris, “You're a continuous ahock,” she “You do such bi nothing,” he sneer got him led, ickled at! . big job. didn't want to sell, though.” Molly longed for Fern. “T thought the Governor wai to Switzerland,” she observed, won- dering how things fell so conventently to Sledge's hand. F “Naw, Judge Lansdale’s going there,” ‘he told her, looking moodily ahead at the road. out to the house before you & won't + Ny 2" “Who's ther she tnquired, “Mike and the servants. They went with the furniture.” Sledgn seemed to feel no need of @ Mother Grundy, and she realised, with a trace of approbation, that there was a fineness in him which made decency e matter of principle rather than of circumstances. “1 don't mind the ride,” she laughed, fecling suddenly triumphant er all, she had won her battle with Bietge, and had reduced him to the pulpy consi: cy all mon should be In their lo The conquest was a tremendous one, she smilingly thought, an she looked at him and remembered hie reputation for high- handed ruthlessness, Somehow, how- ever, ahe had not quite the glee in her victory to which she waa entitled, Hoe waa no obviously downcast that she wanted to cheer him up, but she back, could think of nothing to aay which 7, would lighten the heavy gloom now settling upon him, ‘That fallure in {teeif made her feel rather mean, and she was not at all sativfled with her- olf when they finally drew up to the porch of the magnificent Waver man- alo e fe alighted immediately and held out his hand “You fooled me before,” he charred, “but that's off." “Ie off whe assured him in hia own language, His big hand was warm, and a solid, substantial thing to hold to, She wan glad that he liked her so well, It was safe and comfortable to know that, “Good words!" he approved. “Molly, you're a lady.” He still held her hand, He looked at it foolishly, He squared hie shoulders with suddes . Next Week's C in THE EVENING The Intrusion of Jimmy By P. G. Wodehouse You $1.26, im, and Now h going to your y, “You'll take m@ red Novel WORLD defiance. He kissed it! Billy!" Billy pulled away from the She waved her hand at oe they made the turn. There s new droop to his shoulders as Stood there on the stately big all alone, in bis black Prince with a red rose in his buttonhole bis silk hat in @o forlorn, so lonely, that Lag! s 4 od were leaving him on @ sland. Around the corner of the bowss, there painfully limped @ once white bull terrier, with one eye gone both ears chewed to ribbons, scars criscrossed in every Slowly, tortuously, but with determination, he wabbied along the path and up the steps, ru bbed his battered old head aes Sledge's leg; then lay down a chin on Sledge'’s foot. Molly tapped half hy an ntically to get it 5 “Drive back!" she called. “t to see Bob!" 4 CHAPTER XXXII. The Consolidation. OB looked up at her with @ distinct grin as she alighted, and when she stooped ewift+ ly down and put her arm about his neck, he laid bie ainst her knee and whined. ‘Ho's crasy about you,” sald Sledge, looking down at them both with hungry affection. “I got « big kennel out here for him, but he’s lonesome, There's a place for Smash too.” “Oh, they'd fight,” she quickly pres te H ot now,” he returned mournfule ly, “Bob's been licked. “Thon it will be safe for me to take Bob home with me when I win bim,” Molly mischlevously cuggested. t “Plumb safe,” Sledge pees 4 You want to take him ‘ot right now, I think,” she quick- ly replied, with a pang of regret that she had given him this needless hurt, Gov. Waver's former butler, t ere,’ “Come on, Molly,” invited ‘ “We'll tell him. 4 you like that oats Hey we aahed, 96 they Went in) iae rary. him," he de- ‘4 fire him wooden one. Honest, le ain't human.” 1 stend of the full voice of Tommy eke heard the “Are you married yet, Molly?” Fern wanted to know. Not yet,” laughed Molly. didn't think you would until || Tommy and I got out tl "she vi tered. “Oh, Molly, tt fast eat if 2 “Just what do you mean great?’ inquired Moll; “Oh, everything. There was a wes o great in the Fern, “Tell me it isn’t g0, Tommy says you're not going marry Sledge.” “Did you really expect me to?” asked bag curtously, Fer ‘Have 1?” wondered Molly, Gase@, and thinking it over. ‘Of course you have,” insisted ie Ag Jc. Tommy's bees beg ‘was #0 romantic. about tellin, all t it al. ieee et gt ae going it ceremony. bring out your father in my rand make Tommy run your “Hi him bring Jessie,” begged Molly, “I don't think she'll come, Fern, “Her folks won't let her, Dicky will,” Molly assured her, “In- vite Dicky, too. Tell him I want him, him bring 2 asl ing with eagerness, you know. He's gone, huatled down to the police station te have Sledge arrested.” Both the girls laughed hilart at that absurd idea, while Sledge by in a dumb trance. “We'll hide him, Siggled Molly, “at we can find any A ‘ve I don't want Judge Bia! ‘ern, Y Dr. Templeton gone?" “Yes, but we can get him shrilled Forn, whose voice had gradually rising in pitch as ahi came more and more excited. ything for me. 8: here yet, and afraid Bledgo, you know. “You tell Jessie it’s all - rected Molly Mr ledge fay, os take father's company into the fdation, and that will make ay tock worth a hundred y a ehare to-morrow morning, and Ww nd Bank can out fi and Nert Glider can *% and his amusement : and go back’ he leader, turned from the tel “Say, Renny,” mischtevously, hand affection: is ke hand. He > <a peR et er one of Fern. 3