The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1890-10-08
MOLLY HOLDEN.


Molly Holden ran up the steps of No.
255 Hubert street.
Anybody col.d have told that 255 was
boarding house, such variety of peo-
pie went in and out, and so many Hymen
and messenger boys rang the bell, and
such an unending succession of grocery
and market boys went in at the rear
door.
Molly Holden's room was on the fourth
floor back, and the smallest in the house.
II was all she could afford. She was a
typewriter in a lawyers Office, and quite
alone in the world.
For all that she was plump and cheer
fu and charm ing Ii tie girl-she was one
OF those young ladies' whom people in
voluntarily call little girls with the
round,st cheeks and the prettiest eyes
imaginable, and a way of looking on the
bright side Of everything always.
1t would have been strange if Phil
johnson hadn't liked her. He was al
ready at the lunch table when Molly
tripped into the dining-rOom. he had
coolIy appropriated old Mr.. Smiths
place, too, in order that he might sit next
her.
Your cheeks are pink, Miss Holden"
he said, forgetting his steak in the hap
piness of her presence. " You have been
walking, haven't you?"
"Yes,' Molly responded, with her
cheeks no less pink for his scrutiny.
al don't often take the train F; it's so
near
@We must be near each other, Miss
Holden-our offices, said Phil. lie was
modest-salaried clerk in an insur-
anee Office. I" You are in the Bartholo-
new building, and that's only four
blocks down from u.s. Well try walk :
ing home together some time, won't
we ?"
@Ifyou'd like to" said Molly, rather
shyly.
Like to? Nothing could make me
happier" with glowing eyes on what be
was certain was the loveliest face in the
world. "You know, Miss Holden-you
must have seen-that when I'm with
you"
There was silken rustic in the hall.
and new entrance.
Nobody but the most charitable could
have said that Mrs. Crowell was nice
looking; and as the boarders of 255 did
not feel charitable toward Mrs. Csowell,
it was never said.
She was tall to a masculine degree, and
startIingly stout her face had purplish
tinge her eyes were bush-browed and
somewhat fierce in expression and her
under lip had a determined, and even
threatening protrusion.
Probably the boarders could have for
given Mrs. Crowel's lack Of personal at
fractions ifshe had been-well, anybody
but Mrs. Crowell.
She occupied the spacious and elegant
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 had placed
her there because Molly was the only
person with whom Mrs. Crowell could
get on pleasantly Molly and Mrs. Cro-
well. to the amazemeDt and even awe of
the boarders in general, were always am
icable.
~No, won't take tea if can't have it
hot" said Mrs. CroweII, in loud and dis
tinct tones, which filled the dining room.
"This is merely lukewarm. And lump
sugar, if you please think have spo-
ken Of that before. And how are you
to-day, Miss Mary?"
Phil johnson swallowed his coffee in
an inward rage. He had spoken his last
word to Molly for this meal he knew
that by miserable experience. Mrs. Gro
well always absorbed her by sheer force
of defiant determination.
Quite well, thank you" Molly rejoin-
ed, with the 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.v Molly responded, With a con-
scientious attempt at qualification, which
would have been q greater success if
she had not known what was coming.
aFve been looking forward to your
reading them to me. l mentioned it be-
fore, l think said Mrs. CroweII, in the
matter-ofcourse way in which she always
demanded favors of Molly.
Yes Molly assented, with kind pa
tience.
"You will have some time after lunch,
will you not | beg your pardon. Mr.
johnson was speaking TO Miss hol-
den" ;" said Mrs. Crowell. severely.
Phil had put in a remark in desper-
alton
al shall have half an hour" Molly ad-
nitted while Phil choked down g
mouthful in impotent rage.
awe car have a chapter or two said
Mrs. Crowell, placidly, Susan, you
should keep fiy-screen over those cakes
| am surprised that you do not"
Itseemed an interminable period. even
to patient Molly. before lunch was
over.
Mrs Crowell had found fault with eve
rything on the table except the salt and