The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1902-01-30
PEGGY'S KNIGHT.
BY WILLIAM FORSTER BROWN.


Barstow awoke one evening in Mrs.
Rheinhart's conservatory to the as
founding fact that she had grown up,
and that he was head over heels in love
with her; and, manlike, he made an
immediate mess of things. Hence the
little note in Peggy's handwriting
which he had read until he could al
most repeat it's contents backward
Dear Jack" it said, please forgive
me fer being angry with you last night.
think the music and my new dress
ii was a dear, wasn't it?-must have
turned your head little. You are not
in the least in love with me-that is,
not in the way you think; the idea OF
suddenly falling in love with your old
eomrade whom you have known ever
since she wore short clothes is posi-
I lively too funny.
Don't get grumpy now, because
won't be absurd enough to think you
are really serious; but when you have
smoked your after dinner cigar, and
become my usually serene-minded Jack
again. come over tonight and take me
to hear Sembrlch. I've got tickets.
"P. S.-Of course like you, but not
Z in the way you mean; for Jack-now,
don't get wrathy-it's all very we'll
for ones dear old chum to golf and
yacht and play at being lawyer, but
my husband must do different things
than those-things for which I shall
reverence him as I Go those knights
S who were always ready to strike a
blow for the weak and helpless without
i thought of self. We have robbed too
many orchards together for me to see
any halo of romance encircling your
lead, you old goose" p
That's just like Peggy said Jack,
contemplating his Office table detected
ly. Expects a fellow to be sort of
modern Sir Galahad, rushing around
Staying impossible dragons. 1t isn't
my fault that I'm not wonder. l
pulled every wire / knew to get out
Z. of Chickamauga and go to the front,
but couldn't work it, and can't
.rag people in here to be clients. What
can do? -
The empty Office offering no sugges-
ton, Jack grasped his hat, and light
ing the considerably suggested cigar,
s departed. filed with gloom
His quick, athletic stride carried
him swiftly up Washington street, and,
needless of his course, he turned in
s stinctively into Temple place, prelim-
mary to the shortest cut across the
Common that led to Beacon street
and Peggy. He would not wait until
evening.
AS he rounded the corner he collid-
ed sharply with a small newsboy rush
ing in the opposite direction, who.
yielding to superior force, shot head
long into the gutter, his papers flying
broadcast over the muddy street.
With a quick swoop Jack seized his
luekless victim and set him on his
feet. Excuse me-" he said gravely,
to the small boy, Il am very sorry"
The diminutiye boy dug his grimy
fists into his eyes to conceal the tears
and said, with gulp: ''I'd orter seen
yer coming
Jack stared down at the much be-
freckled face. He had expected vol
ley of recrimination such as he had
heard from small newsboys before;
then, perhaps on the principle that
misery loves company, Jacks heart
warmed to the small boy.
Look here youngster." he said sud-
denly, "did you ever have real bang
up dinner-turkey and cranberry sauce
and fxings? 80? Well, come along;
you're going to have one now. Never
mind the papers; I'll buy 'em. And
by the by, chappie, since we are going
to dine together, what's your name?"
mike" answered the boy-"Michael
{ Sweeny."
The head waiter started forward
with a'frown at the muddy and dilap-
idated figure of a small gamin who,
with much are air of suddenly
trapped young fox, was preceding Mr..
Jack Barstow into this world of pro-
prieties and appetizing odors, of spot
less linen and shining silver.
Its all right, Barnes" said Jack,
'the boy is with me"
Turkey said Jack to the impas-
siye faced waiter; much turkey, and
cranberry sauce, and pie-unlimited
pie.''
Jack stopped abruptly, a flicker Of
red creeping into his cheek.
From the table behind had arisen the
Z murmur of feminine voices, ending in
a perfectly audible exclamation:
Positively indecent" said the voice,
tto allow that dirty little street arab
in here; there are places, should sup
pose, more fitting than this for prac-
ticing that sort of charity. 1 really
: believe 1 shall speak to Barnes and
have him sent out
Jacks jaw set grimly. He hoped
: the object of it would not understand,
but the boy rose hurriedly and reached
for his cap. Street life sharpens youth
full eyes and wits.
"Sit down, youngster," Jack COM
manded; 'tnobody's going to hurt you,'
and rising, he turned toward the oc-
8 curants of the table.
Madam" he said. with grave delib
eration-Jack Barstow was famed for
his manler-"I beg you will accept my
assurance that this young man, whose
unfortunate appearance is due in part
to my carelessness, has shown by his
demeanor that he has the soul Of a
gentleman; also, madam, he is my
guest"
"Mr. Barstow." she said, charminsly
calmly turned to resume his seat. lust
in time to confront q young lady with
flaming cheeks and bright eyes. A
young lady who, at the first sound of
his voice, had risen from seat at a
far table and come swiftly forward
"Mr. Barstow." she said, charninly