The Press., 1904-03-31
MISS HALFWAY
OF CHICAGO
....By MARY WOOD
Copyright, 1908. by T. c. Mcclure

i Copyright, 1908. by T. C. Mcclure
&~@~e-s-e~e~+e-s-s+s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s~s-a-s.4
She was so decidedly petite that even
when she drew her figure to its greatest
height the assumption of dignity was
laughable. But her eyes sparkled dan
gerously as she faced the bellboy.
The bellboy was impressed. He eyed
the door as if meditating escape before
she proceeded to stronger methods.
Now, see here" she exclaimed bel
ligerently, this is the third note | have
written to the office. and want a re-
ply this time"
eff you would go down to the desk, y
the bellboy insinuated alphabetically,
MIR. Parker
mo, will not go down to the desk, !"
Miss Holloway interrupted decidedly.
'sThat head clerk Parker, or whatever
name he answers to, shall come up here
or / will know the reason why"
The bellboy departed promptly. "And,
by the way" she called after him, lust
hustle along some telegraph blanks on
your way back. have few things to
say to my father and some of his
friends concerning the lack of accom-
modations at the Great Eastern
"Oh, Belle, Belle" walled Mrs. Hal
loway, whose ample form had collaps-
ed in one corner of Il red plush sofa,
"how can you make such disturb
ance? Now, if your father was only
here. But the two of us alone, without
a PROTECTOR And she rolled her eyes
distractedly.
Protector, tiddlesticksr' said the en-
ergetic Miss Holloway. Have you no
spirit, mother?" She began to pace the
floor excitedly. Would you he treated
as nobody-you, the wife of Thomas
P. Holloway? Consider your position"
Mrs. Holloway doubtless considered
her position-she was absolutely at the
mercy of her daughters scathing
tongue; therefore she maintained a dis
Greet silence.
'HThey must be taught the Difference
due to us, the Halloways of Chicago"
said the girl. She was very young and
possessed of the follies as well as the
graces of youth.
The bellboy now reappeared. holding
out handful of telegraph blanks like
q yellow flag of truce. MIR. Parker"
he averred, he says-he's coming"
Miss Holloway seized upon the
blanks and flung herself into a chair
beside the writing table. There will
probably be ample time to get off the
kilograms before he comes. Things
don't quickstep at the Great Eastern"
But, Belle" Mrs. Holloway protest
ed after the bellboy had closed the door
in reverential fashion, had you not
better slip on another waist. Mr.. Par
kerr
"Mr. Parker" her daughter inter
rupted superciliously, lis hotel clerk,
a servant. This dressing sack is good
enough for him."
She dashed off telegram and read it
aloud refiectively:
Dear Dad-We are being shamefully
treated at the Great Eastern. If things
are not remedied we will change to the
Grand tonight. But don't worry. 1 am
running this affair, and you can bet on me.
ARABELLA HALLOWAY.
ST think that will make things hot for
the Great Eastern she said triuIn-
phantly. She did not hear the knock at
the door nor its noiseless opening. Her
mothers voice startled her, Belle, here
is Mr.. Parker. but remember
Mrs. Halloway's voice trailed off into
a 'deprecating silence. Miss Holloway
Strengthened up in her chair with the
laudable pride of judge about to con-
fer sentence.
mir. Parker" she said impressively,
II have called you here to complain of
the treatment to which we have been
subjected by this hotel" She began de
hberately enough, but .--e words soon
tumbled over each other in her vehe-
mence. How dare you," she cried,
how dare you put us into this stuffy
back room, an eight dollar a day room,
when we have always been accustomed
to an eighteen dollar suit? Do you
know who we are-the Halloways OF
Chicago? Is not our money as good a.
or better than other people'sr
The clerk remained silent. And now
for the first time Miss Holloway looked
up-far upland encountered the serene
gaze of his brown eyes.
Mr.. Parker. the clerk, was tall-un-
usually tall. But it was not merely his
inches which gave authority of bear
ing. 1t was his self confidence his men
tai poise. Intuitively Miss Holloway
of Chicago realized that here was a
man who would always be the master
of circumstances no matter how ad
verse the contrivings of fate. Her judi
cial complacency vanished, and shame.
not checked and defiant. stood as a cul-
prit at the bar. for a twinkle lurked
in the cool depths of the brown eyes a
he said easily:
Il can agree with you, Miss Halo
way of Chicago. but only in part Your
money is as good as that of other peo-
pie. but no better. At the Great East.
ern first come must be first served and
that" with a half bow, sis why we
have been forced to give this room t.
Miss Holloway of Chicago"
His tone was courteous, but the girl
felt the sting of underlying reproof II
was new experience for her. All her
twenty years had not discovered a per.
son who should dare to cross her. Tn.
great 7. r. Holloway himself lacked
the necessary courage, or. rather, he
openly encouraged her willfulness as q
reincarnation of his own indomitable
spirit. AS for Mrs. Holloway, she was
always a minus quantity on such oc.
casions as demanded firmness She
preferred to be comfortably seated and
wiring her hands gently. Tears CANT
easily and in nowise lnterfered with
her heart action or gradual increase of
avoirdupois.
Now she looked entreatingly at her
daughter and murmured, "Oh, Belle,
dopt {, don'tI'
Miss Holloway did not hear. Her
world seemed falling about her ears
For the first time the shameful help