Telegram-herald., 1891-08-19
THE HIGHEST BIDDER.
He Got Not Only the Broken Slip
per, But q Vile.

Feggy Hfftreth was the belle OF the
village. No one ever questioned that
fact There were many girls as pretty
ss Peggy, but none as bright and
saucy. Certainly no young girl of eight
cen had had more suitors or knew bet
ter how to refuse them and still keep
them at her feet
Now, Peggy had a stepmother and
no father, and like the traditional step
mother, this one was hard To live with.
Perhaps Peggy was u little To blame
herself. for she strongly objected being
dictated 20, even when. as Mrs. Hill
dreth would inform her. sit was only
for her own good;" but as il was only
tho week before she had been heard to
say she should be glad when that
witch was wen married and ont of the
house." we can hardly blame Peggy
for not having unquestioned faith in
Mrs Hildrcth's desire for her good
One afternoon. when these two had
had few words of anything but an
amiable nature, the servant announced
a caller fer Miss Peggy, Mr.. Jack Les
lie, OF the Seventh regiment it ap,
peared from the card, and Peggy has
tened 10 meet him, looking. with her
sparkling blue eyes and golden curls,
gowned in IA short " aisted white mus
lin tied up under the arms with "A broad
sash, like An aniIuated Kate Greenaway
picture
.'Oh, Jack, am so glad you've comet
MrA Il and I have been having it
again. although / came out ahead, :"
with a laugh.
As usual. I see. But what were you
quarreling over this time?'
''well. I'll tell you called that
young Bliss n fool or an idiot. l don't
remember which. and as he is distantly
related To Mrs. H.. she naturally Oh
jected. We argued the matter to some
length. and then she told me 10 prove
my statement or take 1t back. said
me il she had only heard him propose
the other night
lit was done in this way" and Peggy
stood no at an angle of forty-tive de-
grees and .oycd with an imaginary eye
glass ''Weally, Miss Hildweth. you
weally must do me the au--extrcme
kindness of accepting my name and
au-estat~s. doncher know, and then
after that she gave ir " and Peggy took
chair and said
Now. Jack. let's have II. I know
you've brought some good news by the
disagreeable way the lines IN your fore
head run"
"Weli. you've guessed Alright. 50 just
catch your breath while / relate ali /
know. The Seventh intend giving q
ball on the third of next month. and I've
ooule over ~ invite you early so there
can ~ no mistake about your going
with me-.
Really; honor bright: cut your
throat. oh. how lovely. How nice of
you 10 come over and tell me before
shs other girls knew anything about
IT,
"Weil. rs long rs vou don't throw me
over ~ the last minute for OveraIle or
any of the Wainwright boys I shall
feed repaid
Peggy actually colored. for Howarth
Overalle was one Of the few men whom
she could not bring 20 her feet Not a
very handsome man. but tall and dis
tinguished hooking. bearing himself
like The true. honest soldier that he
wns He had often watched Peggy
Hiidrcth from AFR. ard contrasted her
with the pale, tired. invalid sister he
had st home In far-avsay Montana Jack
Leslie hal pgrposeIv mentioned Over
ale just 70 tease Percy. He had always
known her. and as she p-stered him
when is suited her mood, he once in
awhile retaliated.
IL was war - tho knife between the
two until Jack left. and then Pegxy
went apgtsirs 20 pull over some old
srunis II her own mothers - see what
she could finsi suitable ~ wear 70 the
ball She came across n beautiful white
hroc-de with tiny pink rosebuds en-
brnide-ed ever t.
Nsw, She soaioqvssed. "this would
fcss suis me made NJ with little of this
honston lace. Ms Bilareth will faint
with howrer AZ he idea. and say III
focl Ike my ovvn xrssndmother. Then
perhaps s1rne bsriv viii fall n cove with
my own grandmother No~. I'D pnt
u en ara dance the minuet with some
bsrdy's grandfather wished the
scuiehuly's grandfather htoked hks
Howarsa ovsralle. The Hateful old
th ng "A ike che fua "a refusing
ham. New. Peggy. wait moment
~ Nr 2verai'e Sleuhi ask you - &C.
csEnpanv him - Msntssa and spend =
dat existence with al invsiid sister
- -, Ia .....es..- -~....,s.4 -. .ssa~ al