Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1903-11-05
PEGGY OF
THE PINES

COPYRIGHT. 1905. by T. c. Mcclure
- s+s*s+e*s++s%s%s*s+s1u

OF course there are other John Car
ters Carter is rather commonplace
name after all. So is John.
The high heels of Peggys patent
feathers click on the polished floor Of
the alcove and Peggy's blue kimonoed
figure appears between the curtains of
the arch that divides the room
'Sleepyhead" is GATHERINGS scornful
welcome.
Peggy smiles and trails languidly
| over to low chair by the fire. She
sits down and shakes veil of soft, red
brown hair over her flushed cheeks.
Edith passes her the box Of choco-
lates and the conversation goes on.
81 wonder which one of us it Isl
signs Louise
IF the corner of the conservatory
could speak think it would whisper
| Catherine says Edith.
The color that flames up into Cath
crimes cheeks matches the red Of her
Grape gown.
| But Peggy, looking through her veil
of hair. sees that she likes it-likes to
| be leased about Jack; Peggy's jack
| well, not exactly hers--yet, but he has
proposed to her every year since she
| was in pinafores, and If she hasn't
said yes"
"A box for Miss Catherine" states
| the soft voiced maid at the door.
The box is full of red, glowing roses
| American Beauties.
Catherine takes the card out Of the
| little white envelope and looks at the
| girls complacently.
| John Carter she reads.
Oh, little Peggy, little Peggy, it is
| well that your face is hidden by the
| silken veil, for the bushes are gone.
Edith's lips are set in rather tense
| line.
| what does he say?"
"Red as a rose is she"
"Rather hackncyed for clever
man. comments Edith.
There is another box for Miss
Edith says the maid. land one for
| Miss Louise"
Not a single valentine for you, ba-
| by" says Louise TO Peggy. But the
men haven't found you out yet
She opens her box, gives one glance
| at the card and leans over to see
Ediths
Then the two girls laugh.
John Carter!'
Across GATHERINGS smooth forehead
| there fickers just the shadow of a
frown, but she rallies.
'How impartial. What does he say
on yours, girlsT'
Louise has orchids, Edith vioIets.
Each card contains maudlin valen-
tine sentiment, but Peggy listens to the
conventional lines with prejudiced
| ears There is only one consolation
Jack isn't a Mormon! He can't marry
all three OF them
But over GATHERINGS face there
broods something of dissatisfaction,
and Edith gathers up her violets and
slips out Of the room without word.
After awhile the other girls follow, and
Peggy IS left alone.
She goes and stands by the window,
| where, through the gray mist she can
see the blurred lights of the big city.
Oh, how homesick she Is. She wants
to see Nanny Chloe and Aunt So
phla, and most of all she wants to hear
the wind signing through the pines.
She goes over TO her trunk and from
Its very bottom she drags out big
box, and as the darkness comes on she
muses. sadly over the bits OF lace pa
per and faded ribbons.
The girls ind her thus when they
come in later.
Valentines" says Louise. "Old
ones 2 She picks up a tiny lace paper
affair with two red hearts and n Cunid
Roses red and vilets blue.
sugar is sweet and SO are YOU
THAT came when l was SEVEN" SAYS
Peggy.
Are they all from one man? Oh.
Peggy, Peggy, believe you have ro-
nance"
They are all from Jack" saws Peggy
without malice, and then she stands
blushing, for what Will they think of
Mr.. John Carter now?
But the name suggests nothing to the
three girls.
Some one you know In yirginiaY"
asks Catherine.
And Peggy knows that, after all she
has told nothing ana she resolves 10
hold her own.
He has sent me one each year since
| was five. We grew up together"
why, what n little romance" saws
Edith indulgontly,, with amused and
uplifted eyebrows behind Peggy's back.
'Of course he loves You"
"Of course snys Peggy with an as
surance she is far from feeling.
And you love him"
Il haven't told him so' says Peggy,
ana the girls look at her open eyed.
They are not used to small Virginia
princeSses who have TO be wooed long.
"A box for Mss Margaret" an.
nounces the maid
Margaret? Oh" says Catherine. puz-
zled. "Oh, Peggy, she means YOU"
Yes, says Peggy and reaches out
her hand
The girls watch her while she unties
the string.
DO you wish light. missf" asks
the maid.