Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1900-08-11

Mr.. Doan was the oldest hOartlcr
Not oldest in point of year,. but in
point of occupancy. although he was
not as young as he was When
he passed his fiftieth birthday. lie
rocmed on the door that Mary had
the care OF. and after a years ac-
Quaintance with her he had decided
IN his own mind shat sh. was a very
nice girl. Mary liked Mr. Doan well
enough. but that was all. for be was n
doubts about such old bachelors as he
was. But Mr.. Doan was rich and
liberal. and so polite always that he
gradually won favor IN Mays eyes.
One sunday when she was fixing
up his room. which was the only time
she ever saw him there. he began talk
ing TO her.
DO you know. Mary" he said. with
evidenf sincerity. that YOU are the
prettieSt girl in the hOtelg-
Yes. SIR replied Mary
Mr.. Dean was somewhat staggered
by this unexpected frankness.
~Oh YOU do. DO you2'' ne responded.
little nettled.
I have seen in this hotel has told M
80. except YOU. and now YOU have. 50
they can't an be telling stories
This explanation did no, quite sui.
Mr.. Doan. but Mary was qnick-,,if
ted. and he let il go as she pat e.
81 presume hc saf6 apo'ceeticarg.
= ought 10 have told YOU So before.
because have known 3; ever since thr
FIRST day : saw ven. bat you seemed
90 me 90 bc "a lady. ami I did moi
want YOU 20 think that was not 81
gentleman"
And B am a lady. Mr.. Doan. as my
mother wa and sim is. but I am a
lady i'm distress. as the story-teliers
have a. Two wears zro my father
died. leaving ms nothing bat little
house away out in the suburbs. where
my mother and brother live. lie never
was rich. but hc was gentleman.
and when he left us poor. somebody
hal To- go something. and took this
place. II was the only thing 7 could
90 for wages right from the start
and we needed something "a live ora.
My brother found a place in store.
and between as we manage 10 live
You're as good a girl as YOU are
pretty. Mary said Mr. Doan. land Z
must 20 out and see that mother Of
yours
80 ne did. too. and came back with
very agreeable impressions OF the
sweet old lady of 6o that he had met.
Mary" he said on the following
Sunday, how would YOU like me 20
be your father2~
You are quite cid enough 70 be. -
she said. sharply. "but YOU are not
old enough To- boz my mothers hus-
band. II chat is what You are leading
up to-
Il don't know about that ne
laughed "A woman's hear; Is always
Young"
Bus Mary did not ike the subject.
and went ont without continuing the
conversation. Half an hour later az
che was carrying roil ~ quilts across
the hal in front of the elevator. into
which Mr. Doan had just stepped. that
always uncertain method Of locomo-
fion got loose and started clown the
shaft for the bottom. seven floors bee
low. Mary knew what was coming. OF
going. rather. and with scream she
dashed the roll OF quilts into the open
door. The cage had only slight start
and the quilts were caught and
wedged la between the floor and the
elevator roof and the downward move
ment stopped with a noise like wheel
taking a rubber brake Mary dropped
an L. Al.
spaSm in the elevator where he was
boxed up. the elevator boy came run
ming from a room where he had gone
| 20 deliver message, somebody turned
IN a fire alarm and the whole place
was in an uproar The fremen were
restrained from turning the hose
on Mr.. Doan. and busted themselves
rigging timbers in the elevator shat.
below the cage 10 catch IT. when tht
< quilts were Withdrawn. and presently
Mr.. Doan came down with a thump
and walked out scared almost white
The pa Ders next morning had q
whole column about n. with "a large
picture OF Mary. he Dig headlines
about the heroism Of chambermaid
II happened on Friday. and on Sunday
Mary was at her post again. When
Mr.. Doan saw her he did not wait 10
ask her about the flowers be had sen;
10 her house nor about his having
called to see her without seeing her
Mary" he said. in the matter o.
fact way OF man of 30. you saved
my life. and want 10 do something
10 show n appreciation Of ST."
oh. Mr.. DoaD," she almost pleaded
don't say anything more about il
! didn't 90 anything"