Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1885-04-04


can't help thinking it will be so nico
TO settle down into quiet, everyday
lie again"
For Peggy Percy had allowed her
self to hall IN love, almost unconscious
~, with that tall, handsome, cousin Of
hers; and Frank himself, having in his
college vacations nothing particular TO
do but flirt and enjoy himself, had -
carried ont that mission with especial
regard TO his dark-eyed little cousin.
And then, just Us Peggy, ia the blithe-
some flutterings of her secret heart had
decided that Frank really did love her,
Helen Lockwood came TO visit her
Helen, with her hair like yellow floss,
and great blue eyes, and slender, will
hwy figure; and Just three weeks at
terward Helen whispered to Peggy,
the faithful coniidante of her school
days, that Frank had asked her 20 be
his wife.
You'll be my bride-maid, wontyou
dear " said happy Helen.
@Oh, OF course | will" said Peggy,
choking down a sob
So fell her air-castle into ruins.
But Peggy Percy went about as ra-
diant as ever.
MY dear" said MIR. Merryman TO
his wife, ayou must nave been mistaken
about Peggys caring for Frank"
well perhaps was" said Mrs.
Merryman.
The years passed on and Frank
came home from foreign parts, a
bronzed and bearded man, with black
weed around his hat, and three unruly
children hanging around him.
"You see, Peggy" said her cousin,
al couldn't dc anything with them
after poor Helen died. They need
mothers care, and knew i could de-
pend upon you Peggy. IL would be
different oil course, II you were mar
ried and settled, but, as you're only
quiet, little old maid"
"Yes, exactly interrupted Peggy,
HYou must all come back to the old
homestead. | little thought, when
dear Uncle Merryman left II 10 me,
how it would eniold you all once
again.
And Frank Merryman, with al q
mans unconscious seliishness, settles
snugly down, with hi, three noisy, i'll
disCalhned children, into the serene
peace and regularity cf Peggy Poicys
household.
So poor Peggy sacrificed herself,
woman-like, ON the altar OF mans con-
vsnience.
but suddenly, one day, Frank Merry
man discovered that some one else ap'
preciated dear, sunny little Peggy as
well as himself
1T seems to me-" lac said, shat
Judge Rochester comes here great
deal"
ado YOU think SO n said unconscious
Peggy. you know his father was one
of Uncle Merryman's dearest friends,
and he has always visited here, more
or less. il isn't diagreeable tp you Is
it?' NJ.
aNo-nor hesimted Mr.. Merrymnn, in
tone that meant 'yes" "Only you see
Peg, 4 man likes his home 20 be peace
| full and quiet when he comes back at
night And even a pleasant fellow
like Rochester is apt to be de trop at
times"
aBut / can't very well tell him to
stay away, Frank, can y
II suppose there are other ways
than one by which lady can signify
to gentleman that his presence -
disagreeable to her =,
But it isn't disagreeable TO me"
said Peggy, arilessly.
aOhm said Frank. "All right, then.
@You're not offended, are You Frank!
pleaded Peggy, as her qnick ear recog-
nized an unusual ring OF discomfort IN
his voice.
aOfended? Noi Bless your heart,
not Why should ! lie OfIendedY We
won't discuss the matter any further"
said Frank.
That very alterooon, Mr.. MSrynan,
was button-holed hy an ofhcious ac-
ouaintance in the street
Isuppose / may congratulate you,
Merryman," said the acquaintance
with Al simper.
up what z
"Upon the approaching marriage OF
YOUR cousin, Miss Percy, TO be- sure.
Frank opened his eyes very vide,
"What on earth do you mean sald
he. Miss Percy isn't going 10 be mar
ried!
II think YOU are mistaken, Merry
man. "A n the world knows that Miss
Margaretia Percy is soon about to be
married to Judge Rochester
@The duce il does 7" was Frank Mer-
ryman's disturbed Sejoinder. "Ill
thank the world to mind its own bust
ness"
9Why. what objection have you TO
the matchl inquired the bore.
"Who said had anyY petulantly
demanded Merryman, as he lerked
himself loose and strobe down the
street.
ais what true, Frank
"This about you going To be mar
ried2T
aDear me, Frank, I'm not gong TO
be married You needn't be annoyed
about thatl'
aNot To Judge Rochester,
aWhv of course not To tell you
the truth, Frank and Der eyelids
dro ped little, while soft pink
shadow crept over her face, |he did ask
, me 10 be his wife, bnt--lIut tlolaght
: of YOU and the children, and co3ldpt
t make up my mind TO say 'yea'
"You didn't love him, then 7"
"N-no Frank, not ~ woman
should love the man she means 10
marry"
aPeggy! you're Trump cried
Frank Merryman with great earnest
! ness. HBut, all the same, ihink you
) ought TO get married y
, Crank this from you
/ There can't he doubt about M
, Pegr' said Frank with increasing
. energy. "You never was cnt TfAit lor
! an old maidl"
: Peggy's head dropped.
Frank, IL thaught was NJ so'fle
! use TO you.
: $50 you are" said Frank Merfymnnl
!. centriving TO get his arm around hpr
D waist. "And thiG's the very reason
e want you toto marry me, Peg.
Z @Oh, Frank"
0 IL am in earnest, Peggy. I've been
e wa ating something Lhese three years
! ever since poor Helen died, IN iact-
and I've iu-t found out what u -
want YOU little Per. Come u yot
won't marry Judge Rochester, IT'S nc
: reason YOU shoulln't marry nae
"No, to lc sure ialtered Peggy
= @but-"
d II won't Hsten to any buts," said
: Frank. Peggy, love and honor yo..
e more than any woman in the world
q / may have seemed selii-h brute, but
: I'm not quite Unconscious OF all you
e have done and sacrificed for me. Como
q q Peggy, will you be my own little house