Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-05-10
George Cooper in Ind
MOLLY HOLDEN.

Molly Holden ran up the steps OF
No. 255 Hubert street.
Anybody could have told that 255
was Il clearinghouse, such a variety
of people went in and out, and so
many tiymen and messenger boys Fang
the bell, and such an unending sue
cession of grocery and market boys
went in at the area-door.
Molly Holden's room was on the
sourth floor back, and the smallest in
abe house. 1t was all she could afford.
She was a typewriter in lawyer s
office, and quite alone in the world.
For all that she was a plump and
cheerful and charming little girl-she
was one of those young ladies whom
people invOluntarily call ''little girls"
with the roundest cheeks and the
prettiest eyes imaginable, and a way of
looking on the bright side of every
thing always.
1t would have been strange if Phil
Johnson hadn liked her. He was al
ready at the lunch table when Molly
tripped into the dining-room. He had
cooIly appropriated old Mr.. Smith's
place. too, in order to sit next to her.
your cheeks are pink, Miss Hold.
EN- he said, forgetting his steak in the
happiness of her presence. ''You
have been walking, haven't you?"
Yes" Molly responded, with her
checks no less pink for his scrutiny.
81 don't often take the tram; it's SO
near
I'VE must be near each other, Miss
Holden-Our Offices" said Phil. He
L., cd oil in in
surance office. You're in the Bar.
thoIomew building, and that's only
four blocks down from us. Wen try
walking home together some time,
won't weP'
''If you'd like to-" said Molly shyly
Like to? Nothing could make me
happierw Phil murmured, with glow
inc eyes on what he was certain was
the loveliest face in the world. ''Yor
kno.v, Miss Holden-you must have
seen-that when Pm with you"
There was silken rustic in the hal
and a new entrance.
Nobody but the most charitable could
have said that Mrs. Crowell was nice
looking; and as the boarders OF 55
did not feel charitable towards Mrs.
CroweIl, it was never said.
She was tall to Il masculine degree,
and startlingly stout; her face had a
purplsh tinge; her eyes were bush
broWed and somewhat fierce in eX
preston; and her under lip had a de-
termined and even threatening pro
trusion.
Probably the boarders could have
forgiven Mrs. Crowell's lack of per
Oh lnI
well, anybody but Mrs. Crowell.
She occupied the spacious and ele
giant second floor front, and she was
obviously rich; and there her virtues
appeared to cease.
She sat down in her accustomed
place beside Molly; the landlady haC
placed her there because Molly wa:
the only person with whom Mrs
Croweil could get on pleasantly Molly
anu Mrs. Crowell, to the amazement
and even awe of the boarders in gen
eral. we're always amicable.
"No. | won't take tea if | can't have
it hot. said Mrs. Crowell in loud and
distinct tones, which filled the dining
room. This is merely luke-warm.
And lump sugar, if you please; | think
how are you to-day, Miss Mary?"
Phll johnson swallowed his coffee in
an ward rage. He had spoken his
last word to Molly for this meal; he
knew that by miserable experience.
Mrs. Crowell always absorbed her by
sheer force of defiant determination.
'Quite well, thank you," Molly re-
joined, with tie timidity which even
She could not help feeling.
My steak is underdone, Susan,
said Mrs. Crowell sharply. Another
piece, if YOU please, or this one re-
cooked. The books | ordered have
come, Miss Mary"
''Yes?" Molly responded, with a con-
scientious attempt at qualification,
which would have been n greater sue
cess if she had not known what was
coming.
I've been looking forward to your
reading them to me. | mentioned it
before. think" said Mrs. Crowell in
the manner-of-course way in which
she always demanded favOrs OF Molly.
Yes" Molly assented, with kind pa
thence.
You wiz have some time after
lunch, will you not? beg your par
don, Mr.. johnson; | was speaking to
Miss Holden" said Mrs. CroAell Sc
verely.
Phil had put in a remark in de-pera>
ton.
Il shall have half an hour" Molly
admitted, while Phil chOked down a
mouthful in impotent rage.
I'VE can have chapter or two, -
said Mrs. Crowen pIacidiy. Susan.
you should keep a tiy-screen over those
cakes. | am surprised that you do
not"
1t seemed an interminable period,
even to patient Molly, before lunch
was over.
Mrs Crowell had found fault with
everything on the table excepting the
salt and ice-water, and had monopo-
Lied Molly; and poor Phil had gazed
at her pretty profile in necessary ST.
lence and evaporation.
He kept close to her with bold reso-
luton, when Mrs. Grove rose at last.
sweeping Molly with her, like IN eagle
with kitten. And fortunately Mrs.
Crowell stopped to demonstrate with
the landladv as to her supply of towels
aud the cleaning of her windows.
Goodness! How long are you 90
ing to submit to it, Miss Holden?' he
whispered indignantly. 'Sheu wear
you out. ;"
s'Oh, nor said Molly with sweet
cheerfuiness. Il don't believe any.
thing could do that"
Nor l." said Phil admiringly
..But-Well, Miss Holden, like to
talk to yor once in while. She just
absorbs yod.