Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1885-06-06

| CLOS dppItClaleu ucaI, sunny lllIie
Peggy as well as himself.
at seems to me-" he said, "that
Judge Rochester comes here great
deal"
"Do you think so?" said uncon-
scious Peggy.
"Gou know his father was one of
Uncle Merryman's dearest friends,
and he always visited here, more or
less. 1t isn't disagreeable to you, is
it,"
"No-no," hesitated Mr. Merryman
i'll a tone that meant yes "Only,
you sec, Peg, a man likes his home
to be peaceful and quiet when he
comes back at night. And even a
pleasant fellow like Rochester is apt
to be de t10p at times
"But | can't very we'll tell him to
stay away, Frank, can -
q suppose there are other ways
than one by which lady can signify
TO gentleman that his presence is
disagreeable to her"
mt it isn't disagreeabie to me-"
sald Peggy, artlessy.
"Oh.." said Frank. CAN right,
them
"Iou're not offended, are you,
Frank ?" pleaded Peggy, as her quick
ear recognized an unusual ring Of
discomfort in his voice.
"OHcndcd: p: No! Bless your heart
no. Why should ! be offended? We
won't discuss the matter any further"
said Frank. And Peggy was more
bewlldered than ever.
That very afternoon Mr.. Merry
man was button hoied by M ot1icious
acquaintance on the street. 81 sup
pose [ may congratulate you, Merry
man." said the acquaintance, with a
simper.
Upon what ?"
"Upon the approaching marriage
Of your cousin, Miss Percy, to be
sure"
Frank opened his eyes very wide.
"What on earth do you mean ~
said he. "Miss Percy isn't going to
be married W
''Not to Judge Rochester %
"Not to Judge Rochester, nor to
any other judge"
81 think yol. are mistaken, Merry
man." said the bore, with an hides
cribable air of impertinent officious-
ness. "All the world knows that
Miss Margaret Percy is soon to be
married to Judge Rochester "
"The deuce it does!" was Frank
Merryman's disturbed rejolnder.
''Ill thank the world to mind its own
business"
"Why, what objection have you to
the match !" inquired the bore.
"Who said had any," petulantly
demanded Merryman, as he jerked
himself loose and strobe down the
street.
Peggy engaged. Peggy about to
be married Frank 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 wife?
81 always loved her. She sought
to have known it," said Nj. Merry
man, impatiently, to himself. ''She
ought to become no mans wife but
mine! How does she suppose | and
the children are to get along without
her ?"
He went straight home in rather
tumultuous mood.
peggy is this true:' he de-
manded.
''Is what true, Frank 2"
"Thls about your going to be mar
ried
Peggy laughed pleasantly.
'Dear me, Frank, | am not going
to be married You needn't be an
noyed about that ,"
"Not to Judge Rochester ?"
"Why, of course not To tell you
tbo ruth, Frank" and her eyelids
drooped little, while soft pink
shadow crep,t over her face, 'be did
ask me to be hll7 wife, but | thought
of you and the children and I couldn't
make up my mind to say yes"
"You didn't love him, t..hen ::
"N-no, Frank, not as a woman
! ,l,oul1 1ova Tho man she means tC