Amador ledger., 1904-03-04

easily and in nowise interfered with
her heart action or gradual increase of
avoirdupois.
Now she looked entreatingly at her
daughter and murmured, "Oh, Belle,
don't, don'tv'
Miss Holloway did not hear. Her
world seemed falling about her ears.
For the first time the shameful help
lessness of her sex overcame her. But
woman's wit came to her aid Her
lips trembled piteously, and two large
tears ran down her cheeks.
This was new method of warfare.
The redoubtable Mr. Parker stood
aghast then, as became a prudent gen.
eral, threw out scout lines.
Really, Miss Halloway," he said
soothingly, "the whole thing is trifle
which we have foolishly exaggerated.
In the morning you will laugh at your
fancied grievances"
But still the girls head was hidden
in her folded arms, and her shoulders
heaved. Mrs. Holloway sobbed, sway
ing comfortably back and forth. "If
your father were only here" she
walled.
Mr.. Parker looked from one to the
other despairingly. He was a young
man. A woman's tears are sacred to
the chiyalry of youth He cast discre-
ton to the winds and capitulated.
Don't cry, Miss Holloway" he i'm
plored; please don't. 1 think that per-
haps l can arrange the matter. A per
sonal friend of mine has one of the
suits. Perhaps for you-yes, 1 am sure
l can arrange it,
"On your word and -honor?" asked
Miss Holloway of Chicago in a muffled
tone.
"On my word of honor,' he promised
recklessly.
The girl lifted her head and laughed.
She had not been crying at all. "You
can stop your crying now, mother" she
said cheerfully; ''it is all over WITH
She turned to the astonished Mr.. Par
ker and extended her hand frankly.
And since you have acceded to my re-
quest" she said sweetly, "let me apol-
ogize for having asked -well-rather
peremptory fashion. 1t is a way l
have, unfortunately. OF course your
promise holds gOod?'
"Of course" replied Mr. Parker tri-
fie stifily. He could not avoid taking
her outstretched hand. "Of course" he
repeated more heartily as some mes
merle influence radiated from her fin
ger tips to his. There was added re-
spect as well as admiration in the
brown eyes. He recognized her powers
as strategist
Miss Holloway laughed. 81 won, but
would not have If you had not been a
gentleman. Mamma and l are very
pleased to meet you, even in this in
formal fashion"
Mrs. Holloway beamed upon them.
Peace and harmony were essential in
her scheme of things.
And peace and harmony-and Mr..
Parker-attended her and her daughter
for the next few weeks Mrs. Holloway
beamed, Miss Holloway was radiant,
Mr.. Parker was assiduous-so assidu-
Gus, in fact, that Thomas p. Holloway
on his advent on the scene felt called
upon to interfere.
He did not hesitate, but Mr.. Parker
spoke first. 1t is way youth has. And
he did not mince matters. He struck
straight from the shoulder.
"Mr. Holloway, l love your daughter;
she loves me. We are going to be mar
ried. Have we your approml?"
'The mischiefr' calculated the as
founded T. P. Holloway "Why, you're
nothing but hotel clerk. My daugh.
ter Words failed him.
Mr.. Parker was quite unmoved. "She
does not object" he said easily. "Some
day 1 shall own this hotel, then you
will not object"
L. 2. Holloway glared at him. 81
WILL" he snorted. "And the sooner You
take yourself off the better it will be-"
"There is Belle to be considered" Mr..
Parker insinuated gently "She usually
has her own way"
L. Z. Holloway weakened visibly.
YES; she usually does," he repeated
more calmly.
And the matter of her marriage
proved no exception to the rule She
did. And that is how Miss Holloway
of Chicago became Mrs. Parker of New
York.