Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-03-11
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~ HAMILTON VI
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idly in the big windows, as outsiders
did; then another whim to go in at the
great, swinging doors and loiter through
the aisles, all but the stocking counter
aisle. Not that; that would break the
spell.
"I'll buy little mite of present for
Peggy; that's what" Peggy always
said '.that's what" and he smiled at
the thought. His heart was hungry to
see Peggy, and he had reckoned that
she and ma and the girls would be
home now in day or two. Their
month was over.
Nov, what III 1 get?" he unused,
idling along lazily and refusing to look
at the familiar faces of the clerks
what do Peggies like? Fancy notions
of some sort. may have to go to Old
Adams counter now. Not If can help
it. It's too near my old stand, an Pm
not stockin' tender yet-not till to-
morrow"
He could not decide on what to get.
He distrusted his own wisdom in any
thing but stockings. All, yes, stockings!
Why not? Peggies all wear stockings,
and suddenly he remembered the rusty
black, gobble darned stockings his Peg
gy had worn that day at the beach. He
would have to go down the stocking
counter aisle, after all.
"Stockin's it is, then," he said, tramp
ing away in that direction.
But just ut the turn he looked down
the aisle and uttered low murmur of
establishment. He could scarcely credit
his eyes. He was getting old, and they
might be failing him. But nearer yet
| the vision was the same. He knew it
was Peggy behind the stocking count
er. Peggy! He stood and watched her.
She was waiting on customer and did
not see him. Her face was little pale
and weary, but she smiled ingratiating-
ly and twirled the stockings about with
IN air Of long acquaintance with their
kind.
Peggy! In an instant it was all clear
to him. He knew it was to Peggy he
owed his beautiful two weeks of rest.
1t was Peggy's doings!
he felt an irresistible impulse to
vault over the counter like boy and
take Peggy in his arms. The sly, little,
harum scarum girl, to cheat her old
daddy! He wanted to squeeze her
pale little face between his palms and
kiss it hundred times He wanted to
scold her and thank her and get her
away from that place. The stocking
counter at Bruce's was no place for
blithe little Peggy.
The customer was turning away and
Peggy was putting back the boxes.
Even from that distance daddy could
see that she put one in the wrong
place.
In the moment of starting down the
aisle he changed his mind. An instinc-
tive delicacy restrained him, and he
, hurried round the corner out Of sight.
3 No; he would not spoil Peggy's little
e scheme. She would like it better tt
3 have 1t go on uninterrupted. Peggy
( was travelling incog." now. He would
wait. But he told himself that by and
! by he would have it out with Peggy
: There was reckoning day ahead
| somewhere.
!, He went home and waited. CLOSEUP
: at Bruce's was at 6 sharp, but 1t wal
t late twilight when Peggy came home
0 She knew daddy would be there, ant
e she had fingered on the way. H
|, heard her coming in and called GU
!. brusquely:
"Who's there? Hold up your hands,!
d Cant do 1t, daddy. They're plum
r full. Why don't you have lightw
q | hn xryt%6 1T =,
mumbling something indistinct abou
e trains that lost time and herdic me
u that went round Robin Hoods barn t
It unload their passengers.
s. I'm the advance guard, you know
daddy" she cried. "Ma and the girl
4 are coming tomorrow. had let-e
i that is, the months up. No NOR
Il putting on airs for the Knoxes
where are you, daddy-on til
couch? It's dark as pocket"
u "a man gets all powerful tagged on
'tendin' stockin's. The couch oughte
be the place for him." he groaned dil
mally. She felt her way to him acros
the room. AT the couch she knelt b,
side him and felt for his face.
IF find the crows feet, I'll kno,
It's you and not a counterfeit dadd,
Here we are! Daddy Knox, where al
Il the other twoy'
II "Under the willows, beside trou
/ stream, Peggy. How many feet woul
n you have crow have? Aren't tw
II enough?"
Taken off her guard, Peggy put he
/ Inns f0 hia nd
4 "Did-did the fish bite, daddy?"
The day of reckoning was at hand.