The Winslow mail., 1898-05-28
HOW PEGGY LISTENED
--Ne>>~>e~e>e~e~>~s-A,e~<~o~o~-

that it was not exactly up to the
highest notch of elegance, but since the
participants were wholly unconscious
Of it's shortcomings, what did it mat
ter? There is more real weight in the
expression of ignorance being the
greatest bliss where social matters are
concerned than in any other condition
of life. The ordinary little girl, who
slips into a thin gown and dances ap
night with ''the boys" whom she has
known since childhood, in the simple
ballroom Of a family club finds more
unalloyed enjoyment in the entire pro-
ceedings than docs the veriest brocade-
clad, jewel-wcighte belle, who glides
in stately elegance through the gor-
geous cotillon in the most sparkling
ballroom OF one of society's real lead
ers. When the little girl has romped
her Cheeks red through gay, easy ger
/. man, or, more frequently, through a
hackneyed waltz, she would open her
big, blue eyes in amazement if frigid
debutante in the real thing stared at
her as decidedly unconventional. But
the little girl doesn't even dream that
there is any difference between her
dance and the one whose details are so
exploited in the society columns, so she
is thousand times happier than is her
blue-blooded sister, breathing the at
mosphere of wealth and all the gnaw-
ing envies, rivalries and disappoint-
ments pertaining thereunto.
Peggy was very pink after the last
dance. Richard always went into that
particular waltz with especial fervor.
Afterward he explained to her that it
was because his first dance with her
had been that particular one and she
was tease enough to act as though she
wasn't at all conscious cf the particular
significance of the thing. So tonight,
when he reluctantly let her slip from
his arms, she hadn't quite the necessary
courage to refuse his plea that they 'go
somewhere to rest"
She knew what that meant. Hadn't
he carried her off to that particular
somewhere" every night since the lit
tie club had begun it's informal fort
nightly dances? Still, she knew that
she would better not go tonight
she had known for weeks that it was
coming, and this last waltz had con-
vinced her that it was coming very
soon. And Peggy didn't want it to
come, at least not just now, for this was
Peggy's first winter, and it seemed a
shame for girl to tie herself her first
season. Then, too, Richard wanted so
much that it should come, and there
wasn't anything in the world that
Peggy loved so much as to make Mr..
Richard wait. 1t didn't matter whether
she delayed him by taking an unusual
long time to adjust her veil when he
had called to take her some place in the
evening, or whether he had to toast his
toes before the fire while she dallied
over making his cup of tea, or even in
telling Of his great secret, which poor
Richard congratulated himself no one,
not even Peggy, knew. To be frank,
everybody i'll the little club had discov-
cred il before he had confessed it to
himself. Still Peggy yielded, and was
led off to the big chair in the corner of
the library, where Richard could perch
himself on the window seat beside her,
and where the other young people were
good enough never to intrude.
Peggy leaned back and let her white
lids futter in happy content over her
deep-blue eyes, whereat Richard felt
his last bit of common sense leave him.
Peggy" he asked, leaning danger
ously near her.
Peggy sat up with a little start, and
half-air of rebellion, Then, all at
once, she felt his eyes burning into
hers, and her courage fed, leaving a
very weak, plant little girl.
Peggy" he began again, this time
laying his hand over hers as it trem.
bIed On the arm of the big chair, 81
want to tell you something added
Richard
Peggy closed her eyes again and
/ gathered together her fast-falling cour-
age with one mighty effort. Don't
she pleaded. Don't. Richard"
His face grew a trife paler as he
asked: "Why not, little grip
Peggy's white cheeks all a I once grew
fiery, but she said it: Because 1 know
what you are going to say, and 1 don't
want to hear it,"
Poor Richard! So she knew, after
all, the secret which he had flattered
himself he had kept from all the world,
most of all from the tiny, pink-and-
white girl whom it most concerned.
Then, all at once, it struck him that
there was,a ludicrous side to the situa-
ton, and Peggy was amazed to seea bit
OF roguish smile about the corners of
ms tine mouth, as he asked:
How do you know that you know
what | was roing to say?"
1t was mean thing for him to do
and she afterward told him so. Now
however, she put herself on the de
fensive as much as possible, and an
swered, valiantly:
81 do know it; no matter how; an'
l don't want to hear it''-then littl
pause, and finally a whispered jus
yet.''
Richard sprung to his feet. witt
enough exultation in the movement t.
startle her.
when may 1 tell you, Peggy mine? :?
Perhaps he drew her to her feet, per
haps she rose, but all at once she fount