Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1903-10-24
PEGGY OF
THE PINES
By TEMPLE BAILEY

dream. Peggy opens her eyes, a little
daZcd.
OF course there are other John Car
terS. Carter is a rather commonplace
name after all. SO is John.
The high heels of pcggy'S patent
feathers click OH the polished floor of
the alcovc and Fcggy's blue kimonoed
figure appears between the curtains of
the arch that divides the room.
"Slecpyhead." is GATHERINGS scornful
welcome.
Peggy smiles and trails lanSudly
over to Il low chair by the fire. She
sits down and shakes IL veil of soft, red
brown hair over her flushed checks.
Edith passes her the box of choco-
latcs and the conversation goes on.
81 wonder which one OF us it is"
sighS Louise.
'If the corner of the conservatory
could speak | think it would whisper
Catherine says Edith.
Tho color that flames up into Cath
crimes checks matches the red of her
Grape gown.
But Peggy, looking through her veil
of hair, sees that she likes it-likcs to
be teascd about Jack; Pcggy's Jack
well. not exactly herS-yct, 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 ut 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.
"Jolln Carter she reads.
Oh, little Peggy, little Peggy, it is
we'll that your face is hidden by the
silkcn veil, for the bushes are gone.
Edith's lips are set in Il rather tense
line.
"What does he say!'
'Rcd as Il rose is she"
"Rathrr hacknCycd 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 bal
men haven't found you out yet"
She opens her box, gives one glance
at the card and leans over to see
Edith's.
Then the two girls laugh.
John Carter
Across GATHERINGS smooth forehead
there flickers just the shadow of
frOWn but she rallies
'IIow impartial. What does he say
on yours, grls?"
Louise has orchids, Edith violets.
Each card contains a maudin valen-
tine sentiment, but Peggy listens to the
conventional lines with preiudiced
ears There is only one consolation
Jack isn't Mormon! lie can't marry
all three of them.
But over GATHERINGS face there
bro0dS 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
phia, 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 a big
box, and as the darkness comes on she
muses. sadly over the bits of lace pa
per and faded ribbons.
The girls find her thus when they
come in later.
"Ealentines?' says Louise. "Old
ones" She picks up tiny lace paper
affair with two red hearts and a Cupid.
Roses red and viets 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 a ro-
nance"
They are all from Jack" says 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 virginia?"
asks Catherine.
And Peggy knows that. after all, she
has told nothing, and she resolves to
hold her own.
"lle has sent me one each year since
! was five, We grew up together"
"Why, what little romance" says
Edith indulSently, with amused and
upliftcd eyebrows behind Peggy's back
"Of course he loves you"
"Of course" says Peggy with an as
surance she is far from feeling.
"And YOU love him.
Il haven't told him sO," says Peggy,
and the girls look at her open eyed.
They are not used to small Virginia
princcsscs who have to be wooed long.
"A box for Miss Margaret" an
nOunces the maid.
Margaret? Oh" says Catherine, puz-
zlcd. "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, miss?" asks
the maid
But Peggy docs not hear her, for
there steals into the room Il faint. Won
derful fragrance the fragrance OF the
oines of Virginia.
IOuiSp stems forward and lifts the