The San Francisco call., 1906-04-01
CHAPTER XIV.
The. HoId-Up Pnrtz.


s The Davidge mansion wasea scene of
Hight, music and mirth this night The
annual charity affair was in full swing.
''The name. indeedl was not even per-
mitted the privilege OF naming my own
party" Cathalee declared. by a unan-
unity simply marvellous my friends per-
sisted in presiding at the christening. and
carried the day by sheer force Of num-
bers. 1t is none other than The HOld-Up
Party Such a terrible name! Yet il
commends itself to the extent Of calling
a spade spade, and on the whole re-
Heves me of certain responsibility" she
explained, with amiable resignation.
In a corner Of one Of the spacious par
lors was a small stage from which GER
tain features of entertainment were dis
pensed- The efforts of the performers
were admirable exhibitions Of nerve and
physical force. and occasionally succeed
ed in rising above the reigning confusion
to the extent Of making 1t apparent that
something or other was transpiring in the
direction of the stage. The stage enter
tainment-so called by courtesy-and the
dancing were the only untaxable fea-
lures of entertainment Tribute was lev
led upon the just and unjust alike, and
the unfortunate who labored under the
delusion that trade formalities were rec
ognized was destined to suffer an early
and a rude awakening.
Maude and Edith had come to town
for the affair. The former was one Of
Cathalee's prime assistants. while
Edith was in charge OF Mrs. worthinS-
ton. very little in evidence. and alto
gether considerably subdued by the
very austere mien OF her chaperone.
and the general worldly aspect OF sAA
gathering.
Jack was an early arrival according
to instructions. and meeting Maude and
Edith in the hall greeted his sister
with true brotherly affection. and
seemed not inclined to overlook the
prerogatives of a sweetheart. but
Maude was a charity girl this night.
'Free-list entirely suspended. sir.
Kisses don't buy shoes for barefoot or
phans, Maude coldly declared. pro-
ceeding to attach a boutonniere to his
coat Mrs. Davidge: says that I am
to have nothing whatever to do with
sentiment this evening. but must at
tend strictly to business-one dollar,
please"
Even my own family has turned
d5eNAHSt me- ne signed. w nat IS your
speciality. Sis?" he demanded. regard
ing with some suspicion the demure
young miss intently watching this
questionable proceeding. Thank you.
my dear. he said. with unmistakable
cynicism. handing Maude two dollar
bill, which she dropped carelessly into
her basket. with matter OF fact,
Don't mention it, my dear"
Don't I get dollar back?" meekly
inquired the victim Of misplaced conf
dence. My youth and inexperience
are being imposed upOn," he declared.
upon being informed that there was no
precedent for such proceeding.
What is the matter, Jack? inquired
Cathalee. who appeared at that mo-
ment Indeed. young man, you are in
huge luckl Think had it been a ten
nerr she told him. consolingiy. when
he had explained the "hOld-up. as he
termed his initiation
Then I'm eight dollars ahead. Mucn
obliged, Cathy, but I don't like your
systematic percentage Is against the
outsider"
Jacks experience was but one Of
many continually transpiring through-N
ont the evening as new arrivals put inA
an appearance, affording no HttfS
amusement for those who had preceded
and undergone a similar initiation.