Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1885-03-26

But l can't very wen tell hlh 10
stay away, Frank, can /. "
II suppose there are other ways
than one by which a lady can signify
to a gentleman that his presence is
disagreeable to her"
But it isn't disagreeable to me, "
said Peggy, artlessly;
"Ohm said Frank. "All right,
then"
you're not offended, are you,
Frank2n pleaded Peggy, as her quick
ear recognized an unusual ring OF DIS
content in his voice
"Ofendedl No, Bless your heart,
no. Why should be offeRded2 We
won't discuss the matter any further, "
said Frank. And Pegs was more
bewlldered than ever.
That very afterRoon Mr.. Merryman
was button holed bv an oticious ac-
auaintance on the street.
Il suppose may congratulate you,
Merryman, said the acquaintance,
WITH shipper.
upon whatf
Upon the approaching marriage
of your cousin, Miss Percy, to be
sure.
Frank opened his eyes very wide.
what on earth do you mean9" he
said. Miss Percy isn't going to be
married
mot to Judge Rochester"
mot TO Judge Rochester, nor any
other Judge"
II think you are mistaken, Merry
man" said the bore, with an hides
cribabe air of imperhnet officiousn ess.
"B.ll the world knows that Miss Mar
garetta Percy is soon to be married TO
Judge Rochester
'oThe deuce 1t doesn was Frank
Merrymaus disturbed rejoinder. IN
thank the world to mind its owR bust
ness
"Why, what objection have you to
the match ~ inquired the bore.
"WHo said I had any2" petulantly
demanded Merryman, as he jerked
himself loose and strobe down TIE
street.
Peggy engaged Peggy about to
be married Flank could hardly
have felt more deeply wounded and
hurt had Peggy Percy been actually
his wife. instead of his patient. un-
complaining, smiling little drudge
Actually his wife And whose fault
was it that Peggy was not his wifel
II always loved her. She ought TO
have known itr' SAID Mr.. Merrymau
impatiently to himself. "She oHght
to become no mans wife but mine
How does she suppose | and the
children arc TO get along without
her
He went straight home in rather a
tumultuous mood.
Peggy, is this trueP he demand
ed.
SIS what true, Frankl"
How pretty She locked in her cool
white cashmere dress, trimmed with
hlue velvet, and the little knot OF
blue violets in her hair! Frank
wandered that he had never properly
appreciated her beauty until nowl
"This about you going TO be mar
ried2'
Peggy laughed pleasantly.
Dear me, Frank, Pm not going TO
be married You needn't be annoyed
about thatw
mot to Judge Rochester,
"Why, of course not To tell you
the truth, Frank AVID her eyelids
dropped A little, while soft pink
shadow crept over her face, The did
ask me to be his wife-but / thought
of you and the children, and couldn't
make up my mind to say yes. p"
"You didn't love him, then2"
"N-no, Frank, not as woman
should love the man she means tomar
ry.'
Peggy your a trump = cried Frank
Merrymau, with great earnestness.
But, all the same, l think you ought
to get marriedm
Frank this from you"
"There can't be no doubt about it,
Peg said Frank, with increasing
energy You never were cut out for
an old maid !"
Peggy's head dropped.
Frank, IL thought | was of some
use 20 you. "
80 you are, said Frank Merryman
contriving to get arm around her
waist. "And that's the very reason
/ want you to marry-to marry me,
Peg
"Oh, Frank"
Il am in earnest, Peggy. I've been
wanting something these three years
ever since poor Helen died, in fact
and I've Just found ont what it Is.
| want you, little Peg Gomez IL
you won't marry Judge Rochester, it's
no reason you shouldn't marry me ~
mo, to be sure" faltered Peggy;
"but-'
II won't listen to any butts, said
Frank Peggy, Hove and honor you
more than any woman ia the world,
| may have seemed a selfish brute,
but Pm not quite unconscious Of all
YOU have done and sacrificed for me.
Come, Peggy, win you be my own
little household angelo"
And Peggy promised that she
would.
Strange that l never thought of
this before" said the honest, obtuse
Frank
1t was strange. But then this world
is full of strange things.