Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1902-09-25

The great trees arched protectingly
over her head, the wild strawberries
doomed at her feet, and from the
woodlands came the calls Of her favor
lite birds. But her eyes were heavy
with unshed tears. Was it not bad
enough to listen day after day to the
gossip that emanated from her aunt's
shop without being forced into a part
nerSllip with the gOssipers?
Languidly and tremblingly she
mounted the broad steps leading to
Widow Burkett's porch. That much
discussed lady met her at the door.
Her quick glance detected the misery
in Peggy's face.
"Come in, child. You look utterly
worn out" she remarked, ushering
Peggy into the dim, cool parlor. ''What
collars! must have one of them. But
I'm afraid this sort of work is pulling
you down. You're looking badly, Peg
gy."
The girl flushed guiltily, and her
tongue chung to the roof of her mouth.
Mrs. Burkett studied her curiously.
1T is a long walk from the village,
and as soon as Ned comes in We'll have
some lemonade. He makes famous
lemonade"
Ned! That must be the awful man.
And she called him by his first name
with such proud light in her eyes.
A brisk step sounded in the entry, the
knob ratified and Peggy turned dizzy
and faint.
Ned, dear, this is little Peggy Smith
ers, who made that lovely lace for me.
Peggy, this is
Peggy had risen mechanically, and
as she caught the next words she
raised her eyes, swimming with tears,
to Mrs. Burkett's astonished gaze. De-
licious little chills were chasing up
and down her hot spine Oh if only
she might rush from the house, down
the shady street to the shop. But no;
that man stood between her and the
door.
Peggy had never seen just such a
man before. He stood so very tall and
straight, laughed in such friendly fash
ion with his eyes and helped her to
tiny cakes and drink, all cool, sweet
and sour, with the air of Prince Charm
ing of fairy book fame. From some
where-far, far away-came the trill
of a riotously happy bird. Peggy
raised her eyes once more to Mrs. Bur-
ketts face, and this time there were
no tears.
"Why, you're looking better already,
Peggy. And now, if you won't have
any more cake or lemonade, 1 shall
carry you off to my room. want you
to see the beautiful silks and embroid-
cries Mr.. Lameroux has brought me
from Japa and China
= +
The gossips at Mrs. Smithers' shop
We're becoming restless when Peggy
came back. The girl fairly shivered
with suppressed excitement, and her
hand trembled as she stuck the hatpin
through her sailor.
well, amt you never going to
speak?" snapped her aunt. Didn't
you hear anything?"
Eyes, I heard lots, aunt" answered
the girl, trying hard to keep the ex-
ultation from ringing in her voice. The
women leaned forward eagerly.
His name is Mr.. Edward Lame
roux''-
'Hoity-toity," shifted Miss Lavinia
Gust like novel," murmured Mrs.
Marsden.
"And he's just home from China and
Japan, and he's going to stay year
this time. and he's brought her the
most beautiful silks you ever saw, and
I'm going there to sew on 'em for a
whole week. and she gave me the
queerest candy. 1t came from China,
too, and it burns your mouth, but it's
good-and:'-
''Lawzee, Peggy, why don't you get
down to facts?" calculated Miss La
vinia. SIS he going to marry her?'
NO" exclaimed Peggy in a final
burst of triumph. Gle can't. He's
her twin brother, and he's in the navy,
and he's been gone five years-and"-
Mrs. Demming rose abruptly, saying:
Il declare l forgot that batch of
bread. Like as not it's all over my
clean floor"
Miss Lavinia, looking decidedly ag-
grieved, departed in silence. One by
one her visitors left and Mrs. Smithers
stood alone absently busting and re-
busting her tiny showcase.
And in Mrs. Burkett's cool parlor the
widow was saying:
81 do feel so sorry for Peggy, Ned,
dear, that l believe I'll ask her aunt to
Let me take her to Boston when we go
back. She is so handy with her needle.
1 know could get her lots of work."
"Well, if she's so handy, why don't
you have her for your maid?'
The widow laughed softly.
'.She'd simply ruin me, Ned. The
child adores me-"
Il don't believe you could be ruined,
and think what it would mean for that
child to be taken away from those vii
lage harpies. The life must be torture
to her sensitive nature"
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