The Press., 1884-01-31
PAMELA'S MAMMA.
BY MARY KYLE DALLAS.

PAMELA,S MAMMA.
 BY MARY KYLE DALLAS.
 When I, Cholmondley Chester, fell in love with Pamela Price, there was quite an excitement in our little circle, for Mrs. Price, though widow lady who had two middle-aged married sons with large fam flies residing in Chicago, was human evergreen, that refused in the most pos itive manner to grow old like other per- sons.
 She kept Pamela, who was her youngest daughter, as the only representative of her family, and insisted upon it that the child was too young to think of beaux and she confessed to those whom she took forty" and that she had found gray hair in her head. It certainly was not in the jetty wig she always wore, and at dis tance she was very deceptive the com plexion was that of brand-new Christ mas doll, though it occasionally cracked when she gaped or laughed she had false teeth, false eyebrows, corset in which she must have suffered agonies, and un- derlined eyes.
 The Indian lady with the bundle of ci- gars who stood outside the tobacconist's establishment had quite as much the effect of being living being, and the wax figure at the hair-dressers was far more natural.
 However, there was one satisfaction so juvenile figure would never play the s'black alpaca mother-in- law" in my do nestle circle if was happy enough to win Pamela, and, according to instructions, l courted Mrs. Price instead of her daugh- ter-Pamela being well aware ot the req son why.
 waltzed with her, though 1t is my i'm pression that she weighed ton. walk ed with her in the park, while Pamela trotted after us with the poodle in charge. l sat at her feet and famed her while Pa mela talked to old Captain Peeler, who al ways called of pleasant evenings, and felt that I was winning her consent to my union with her daughter at fearful price j; but still Pamela whispered to me: Don't ask dear mamma yet, Chester j; don't, please. She is so youthful and so | much admired that she can't bear the idea of having daughter old enough to be married" :"
 1 I thought of the elder brother, whom l had met, but said nothing. Pamela adored her mother, and had resolved that the deadful secret of our engagement must be broken to her gently. On occasions whom left the city al- ways, of course, desired to write to Pamela, but her mamma would have been sure to ask who her correspondent was, so we hit upon charming plan. I was to write to her mamma, and Pamela was to read the letters privately.
 Need Isay that they expressed the warm est friendship, and that they contained such sentences as these "How can en- dure this absence p ''I would that I were with you again ;'' and ''I am not living - simply exist away from you."
 Once commenced my letter My dear. est, [" but scratched that out.
 My probation seemed long to me, very long but I bore it bravely until our en- gagement was two years old Then il seemed to me that it was time that Mrs. Price should know of our intentions, and resolved to declare myself The matror had gone to wedding party, and would not, as we imagined, return until very late and I sat beside Pamela on the sofa in the parlor. The fire burned brightly. She was looking very pretty indned, and as thought that there was no reason why she should not be my wife, for had very goo6 income and even home of my own, grew indignant.
 ''I shall speak to your mother tomorrow Pamela" said, ''and If you are not trifine with me, you will say may"
 At these words Pamela turned pale, and caught me by the arm.
 ''Oh, oh dont!" she sobbed ssDon't please. know it seems absurd, but mamma takes no heed of the passage of time She thinks me little girl yet"
 That is actual insanity, my dear," an swered. "You are lovelier than ever, but yor are twenty y-seven. You are perfectly candid to me about your age, you know. If you1 mother won't say yes, we'll do without it but she likes me. I've done my best to make her like me, Pamela"
 right, I know but I can't bear to set myself against mamma. I don't believe she car spare me. I'm her lady 's-maid and her house keeper, and everything. Still-'
 She looked at me so sweetly that clasped her to my heart. Her head lay upon my shoulder, her sweet, warm, little hand was in mine. We were supremely happy for mo- ment. Then some one uttered an lawful shriek. We started to our feet.
 Mrs. Price had returned earlier than we thought possible, and stood behind us in the middle of the room: her cloak had fallen from her shoulders, her eyes were fixed upon us with an expression of horror.
 Scream after scream burst from her lips She flung her bouqnet in one direction and her fan in the other and circulating: "Can believe my senses ?' fell into great Turk. ish chair, which shook under her great weight and was apparently threatened with apoplexy.
 We flew to her assistance, Pamela and I. 1 famed her, Pamela brought water. Final. ly fell upon my knees at her feet
 Dearest madam,' said, ''it seems absurd to think of you as my mother-in-law, but won't you give Pamela to me? We shall nev- CT forget your kindness. I have long adored her, but we feared to tell you."
 Dear mamma, 1 love Cholmondley so dear ly," sighed sweet Pamela.
 At these words Mrs. Price started to her feet with vigor that nearly overset both her suppliants. She caught Pamela by the arm.
 ''Come with me, my innocent child," she shrieked ''you are too young to understand such villainy. That wretch has been making love to me for two long years. Yes, my dear, I have the tenderest love letters from his pen and intended to confde our engagement to you shortly. Come away, my love" l caught her by the arm.
 Gracious Heaven, Mrs. Price !" I cried. ''It cannot be possible you have misunder- stood ma so completely. have been engaged to Pamela for long while. desired to win your friendship consent to our mar | riage. T."
 | But shrieking: Monster of depravity !" she dragged her daughter from the room.