The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-05-10

from being angry, she felt little joy
full thrill at his concern for her.
No, she hasn't" she said, trying to
look at him, and getting as far as his
shirt-stud. ''But Pm sorry for her,
Mr.. johnson. She's all alone in the
world. She hasn't any friends, and
nobody likes her. Of course. she can
be disagreeable; but Well, | get on
with her"
Nobody but you could" said Phil.
almost tenderly
And" said Molly shyly, "Tm soma
comfort to her, think; and couldn't
he cool to her-I Couldn't"
~ believe you're the sweetest CIR
person in the worldp' Phil murmured
in unwilling admiration.
And then Mrs. Cruwell, having COM
,pletely subdued the landlady, captured
Molly with single imperative glance,
and coolly bore her away.
If she would show a little gratitude
even" Phil reflected wrathfully. But
she doesn't feel any. Shes beastp
If he was angry with Mrs. Crowell
at noon, he was wildly exasperated
that evening. He had bought some
theater tickets, and had hurried home
from tine Office breathlessly to ask
Molly to go with him. He never ven
tured so far before, and he was all
warmth and eagerness.
But Mrs. Crowell was already at
dinner. and Molly was beside her.
She smiled at him brightly. to be sure.
but that, necessarily, was all.
Mrs. Crowell, when she was not
making demands of Susan and un-
pleasant little remarks to the board
ers, talked to her continuously in her
aggressive voice.
Phil could not have put in a word
though his life had depended on it.
His good temper did depend on 1t.
He looked across at Molly'S crown of
fair hair-it was all he could see of
her, since old Mr.. Smith had secured
his proper place-and grew hot with
grievous wrath and pale with appre-
hension, for he knew it was by no
means probable that he could secure a
moment with her.
| He heard Mrs. Crowell's hard tones,
and gazed glaringly at her deep-hued
face, with its unpleasant features.
He refused dessert frowningly, and
got up from the table in something of
frenzy.
Probably it was through his excited
desperation, he did not know what it
was, or how he did it-but he made a
determined rush, and found himself
presently standing in corner of the
| parlor, with Molly beside. him. And
out in the hall Mrs. Crowcll was sharp
ly demanding of everybody where Miss
Holden was.
''Well, did it, Phil whispered,
with his head necessarily close to
Molly's. ''Gracious! what a dragon
she is. To think of my having actual
ly to kidnap you!"
They laughed together with a guilty
heartiness which threatened TO become
audible.
Il have got some theater tickets,
Miss Molly said Phil, plunging into
his subject with an impelling fear of
Mrs. Crowell. Il want to take you.
You'll goP Don't say you won't"
.'To-nightP' Molly queried, her
bright face clouding quite mserably.
mo, won't say l won't. j would,
with so much pleasure; butt can't"
"You can't! Oh. Miss Molly. why?"
he questioned with real anguish.
Il don't dare to tell you-not after
your lecture" Molly faltered.
''Is it Mrs. Crowelle" he said in
| Wretcheu ulVlnatlOn.
Yes" she responded with soft re-
gret which touched and comforted
him. 81 promised to stay with her
this evening; she isn't very we'll"
"Wellr' said Phil with a groan.
''She took veal twice, and two dishes
of tomatoes"
"Yes," Molly admitted gently; "but
that is what she said; and promised
to read to her again. am SO sorry"
'Are you sorryp" Phil queried. IF 1
thought that-see, here, Miss Molly,
I'm going to put an end to my m sery.
| can only see you once n week, that's
plain; Pm resigned to that" he re-
marked with 4 sort of tender grimness.
But want to know that-that it's all
right, anyhow; then guess can stand
it. I've been in love with you ever
since saw you. Molly. and want to
marry you. There! that's plain. OF
course. can't marry you now l haven't
anything to get married on; but shall
have. You'll see! I'll work for it, and
it won't be long, Molly"
For he knew, with one happy glance
at her face, that the loveliest girl in
the world was his own.
And he hardly knew when the portiers
| LcuY anu 4ulos SLOWClk SICAh
countenauce protruded itself, and
Molly was swept away.
| 1t was not because he had much hope
of seeing her that he fingered in the
parlor after breakfast next morning;
Tor Mrs. Crowell had not been at the
breakfast-table, and neither had Molly,
nd he was moderately certain that
the former was indisposed, and that
Molly was with her.
He waited few minutes before GO
ing to the office, though, to think over
his happiness he had lain awake all
night, from inability to think of any
thing else. But he was by no means
ready to stop thinking.
He was surprised and overjoyed,
therefore, when the. curtains parted
and Molly came in, with a little ex-
clamation of gladness at the sight of
him.
He sprang to meet her, and then
gazed at her in alarm.
What is it, Molly? What nave you
been crying about?" he questioned.
Molly sat down on the sofa and
pulled him to her side. Her eyes were
wet and Redeemed.
Mrs Crowell," she said gently.
l.
you? She is dead; she had an apo
plectic stroke soon after | left last
night, and died at four this morning.
didn't know till after she was gone. !"
Mollys soft lips quivered.
Phil was silent. He could not con-
scientiousIy say that he was grief
stricken at Mrs Crowelps death. 1t was
all that he could do to repress thrill
of something like relief. But he re-
spected Molly's pretty sorrow and
soft-hearted tears, and he pressed her
hand.
"And, Phil, don't know how to tell
it-I can hardly believe it yet-but her
lawyer called this morning-somebody
telephoned him-nnd lie says-l don't
know how it can be true-but she has
left me some money, Phil. OF course
she left it nearly all to that library she
: was so interested in; but he says that
one thousand pounds thousand,
Phil!-come to me. Can you believe
it? And doesn't it disprove all thai
people thought of her, PHILIP"