St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-04-17
PEGGY.

Il y
porch where little Margaretta Percy stood,
with the sunshine making golden checker
work about her floating white dress and
chestnut-brown hair.
ooh, you know that always was my ac-
cepted Destiny" said Peggy, lightly. "And
now that all the gayety and hustle of Franks
wedding are over, 1 can't help thinking it
everyday life again.
Mr.. Merryman took snuff and looked
sharply at the little girl in the white dress
and cherry-colored ribbons. 1t could not be
true, then, what his wife had said about
Peggy's being fond of Frank in her secret
heart. He never suspected how Peggy cried
herself to sleep that night, nor how heavy
her heart was III her bosom for days and
weeks.
For Peggy Percy had allowed herself to fall
in love, almost unconsciously, with that tall,
handsome cousin of hers; and Frank him
self, having in his college vacations nothing
particular to do but firt and enjoy himself,
had Carried out that mission with especial re-
gard to his dark-eyed little cousin, and then,
just as Peggy, in the bitheseme futterings
really did love her, Helen lockwood came to
visit her-Helen, with her hair like yellow
floss, and great blue eyes, and slender,
willowy figure and just three weeks after
ward Helen whispered to Peggy, the faithful
confdante of her school days, that Frank had
asked her to be his wife,
"You'n be my bridesmaid, wont you
dears" said happy Helen.
pf 7 will OF PQruy X
ing down sob.
The years passed on. Old Mr.. Merryman
and his wife were laid down to their eternal
rest in the shady corner of the ehurch-yard,
and Frank came home from foreign parts q
| bronzed and bearded man, with black weed
| about his hat and three unruly children
| hanging around him.
''You see, Peggy" said her cousin, 81
Couldn't do anything with them after poor
| Helen died. They need mothers care, and
| knew could depend on you, Peggy. Il
would be different, of course. if you were
married and settled, but as you're only s
| quiet, little old maid"
Eyes, exactly" interrupted Peggy. "You
must all come back to the old homestead.
| little thought when dear Uncle Merrymar
left 1t to me how it would enfold you all once
again"
''It's just exactly like home" he said
"And it's such relief to have the small fry
cared for as you care for 'em, little Peg. Do
you know l think it's regular dispensation
Of Providence that you never married"
Peggy smiled and said nothing. Frank
was the same old Frank as ever that was
evident enough. Aud how glad she was that
they were not all within the famous
Palace of Truth and Frank Merryman could
not know how dearly she loved him still.
But suddenly, one day, Frank Merryman
| discovered that someone else appreciated
dear, sunny little Peggy as well as himself.
SIT seems to me,' he said, ''that Judge
Rochester comes here great deal"
''Do you think sol' said unconscious
| Peggy. ''You know his father was one OF
| Uncle Merryman's dearest friends, and nc
always visited here, more or less. 1t isn't
disagreeable to you, is it,"
''No-po,n hesitsted Mr.. Merryman, In q
tone that meant eyes" ''Only, you see.
Peg, man likes his home to be peaceful and
| quiet when he comes back at night.
And even pleasant fellow like Rochester is
| apt to be de trop at times"
"But can't very well tell him to Stay
away, Frank, can Ii'
~ suppose there are other ways than one
by which lady can signify to gentleman
that his presence is disagreeable TO her"
'.But it isn't disagreeable to me-" said
Peggy, artlessly.
"Ohr' said Frank. "All right, then"
''You're not offended, are you, FrankP'
| pleaded Peggy, as her quick ear recognized
an unusual ring of discomfort in his voice.
"Offendeds No! Bless your heart, no
Why should be offended? We wont dis
cuss the matter any further" said Frank
And Peggy was more bewildered than ever.
That very afternoon Mr.. Merryman was
button -holed by an ofiicious acquaintance on
the street.
II suppose may congratulate you, Mer-
ryman," said the acquaintance, with
simper.
"Upon whata"
Upon the approaching marriage Of your
cousin, Miss Percy, TO be sure"
Frank opened his eyes very wide.
'sWhat on earth do you meanP said he
"Miss Percy isn't going to be married"
''Not to Judge Rochester,"
''Not to Judge Rochester, nor TO any Other
Judge"
81 think you are mistaken, Merryman,' u
said the bore, with an indescribable air OF
impairment ofIiclousness. ''All the world
KNOWS lUHb MISS MdI BdItb i tiCl 10 boOh W w
married to Judge Rochester"
The deuce It doesln was Frank Merry.
mans disturbed reioindcr. ''I'll thank the
world to mind its own business"
"Why, what objection have you to the
matchi' inquired the bore.
"Who said ! had any!r petulantly de-
manded Meryman, as he jerked himself
loose aud strobe down the street
Da0,r., pouo,v ahorf ~ no m ar.
RED Frank could hardly have felt more
deeply wounded and hurt had Peggy Percy
been actually his wife, instead Of his patient
accomplishing, smiling little drudge! Ac
| tually his wifel And whose fault was it thai
/ Peggy was not his wife.
81 always loved her She ought to have
! known it, said Mr.. Merryman, ImpatieDtly-
| to himself. ''She ought TO become no mans
wife but minei How does she suppose and
the children are To get along without herr"
He went straight home in rather tumu'-
/ tuous mood.
''Peggy, is this truef" he demanded.
SIS what true, FTaDkl"
''This about your going TO be married"
Peggy laughed pleasantly.
tfDear me. Frank, I'm not going 70 be
married, You needn't be annoyed about
thstr'
''Not to Judge Rochester,"
'sWhy, of course not. To tell you the
truth, Frank and her eyelids dropped a
little, while soft pink shadow crept over ber
face, she did ask me 10 be his wife, but
thought of you and the children aud
couldn't make up my mind TO say yes"
'sYou didn't love bin: tbepl"
'sS-no, Prank, not as woman should love
the man she means TO marry"
peggy, you're tTnmpi, cried Frank
Merrymau, with great earnestDess. "But,
ali the same, think you ought TO get mar,
| ried.''
Frank this from you"
''Tbere can't be doubt Of It, Peg said