Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-03-28
PEGGY'S KNIGHT.
BI WILLIAM FORSTER BROWN.

petted his nelgnDOr Peggy since the
days of their mutual babyhood, Jack
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 its contents backward.
Dear Jack" it said, please forgive
me for being angry with you last night.
think the music and my new dress
it was 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
comrade whom you have known ever
since she wore short clothes is posi-
lively too funny.
Don't get grumpy now, because l
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 SembrIch. I've got tickets.
"P. S.-Of course | like you, but not
in the way you 1ean; for Jack-now,
don't get wrathy-it's all very well
for ones dear old chum to golf and
yacht and play at being a lawyer, but
my husband must do different things
than those-things for which | shall
reverence him as | do those knights
who were always ready to strike
blow for the weak and helpless without
thought of self. We have robbed too
many orchards together for me to see
any halo of romance encircling your
head, you old goose"
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. |
pulled every wire l knew to get out
of Chickamauga and go to the front,
but l couldn't work it, and l can't
4rag 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,
departed. filled with gloom.
His quick, athletic stride carried
him swiftly up Washington street, and,
needless of his course, he turned in
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
luckless victim and set him on his
feet Excuse me-" he said gravely,
to the small boy, 81 am very sorry"
The diminutive boy dug his grimy
fists into his eyes to conceal the tears
ana said, with gulp: I'D orter seen
yer coming"
Jack stared down at the much be-
| freckled face. He had expected d 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 a real bang
up dinner-turkey and cranberry sauce
and fixings? No? 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-"NIichael
Sweeny."
The head waiter started forward
with frown at the muddy and dilap-
idated figure of small gamin who,
with much are air of a 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.
IT'S all right, Barnes" said Jack,
'the boy is with me"
Turkey" said Jack to the impas-
sive 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
murmur of feminine voices, ending in
perfectly audible exclamation:
Positively indecent" said the voice,
''to 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. | really
believe l 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