The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1898-06-24
~...THE RISE OF PEGGY.


oquent air, when he refused to empty
the coffee grounds as requested, 81
won't be here long for you to quarrel
WITH
I'm going away" she returned
blandly. "I'm going to have q rise in
the world. My name is not Peggy Hib-
bard, at all. Bah, what an ugly name!
I've tried my best to hit into something
pretty and interesting, but I can't do
it. 1t always remains just plain Peg
gy. don't know what my last name
is, but I'm sure was christened
Queenie or Edith or Elaine or some
thing like that. My own parents ore
coming for me soon."
"Huh!' said George, IN derision. But
he emptied the coffee grounds and was
quite obedient for almost an hour af
terward, all of which Peggy regarded
as unmistakable evidence that he had
more or less faith in what she had told
him.
Peggy was kept unusually busy in
those days She and her aunt, Mrs
Morrison, did all the housework, and as
sick ncighhor, who had been O life
long friend Of the family, required
great deal of her aunt's attention,
many new duties deyolved upon Peg
gy. This additional work was not ex-
actly relished, but In one sense the sit
uation was delightful Peggy was left
alone more than she had been hereto
fore, and the unusual solitude gave her
ample opportunity to converse with
her relatives undisturbed when they
should come to claim her.
III.
The next day. when carrying in an
armful of stovewood, with which to
sound of wheels on the white turnpike.
They stopped at the front gate, and
Peggy, peeping furtively around the
corner Of the house, beheld O sight
which drove every drop Of blood In her
veins with rush to her heart, and
made her arms so limp and lifeless that
the load of wood fell with q crash on
her bare toes.
A carriage had been driven into the
shade of the apple tree that grew near
the roadside. Undoubtedly it was the
IL was llOL CAiStlJ "ldt o1lC
had expected, for there We're only two
horses instead Of four, and the harness
was not made of gold, but it was n
very stylish turnout wlthal, and Peggy
thought she could be satisfied with it.
A middle-aged woman and gentleman
alighted and came rapidly toward the
house. Peggy went forth to meet them,
looking shame-facedly the while at her
bare feet and little red hands.
"Ah," said the gentleman, kindly, "I
believe we have her here, Susan. My
child, are you Peggy Hibbard?'
mo, SIR" returned Peggy, promptly.
A shadow of disappointment passed
over the faces of the lady and gentle
man.
That's too bad,' said the lady, but
perhaps you can tell US where to find
her"
Peggy plated the corner of her apron
nervously for moment, then. looking
up courageously, she said: Il ON called
Peggy Hibbard."
"My goodness, and are you not she?'
exclaimed the lady.
NO." said Peggy, glibly. II must
have Deen changed when was q DaDy,
or something and the mistake has
never been rectifed. l have never
been able to find out what the name of
my father really is. I hoped, sir. that
you were he. Are you not, and have
you not come to give me rise in the
world and take me home to your pal
ace?"
Peggy spoke with great earnestness,
for she had dreamed over this phase Of
her life SO much that she had come to
believe in its reality. The lady and
gentleman stared at her in bewilder
ment.
81 don't understand what you mean,"
said the lady, sadly. 1--WE have no lit
tie girl. Our granddaughter died, too,
few weeks ago. But we will think