The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1903-09-13

the A.4nuoW, keeping her back TO the i4ia.4
who smiled 50 sadly and yet 50 heart
lessly.
81 didn't want the million, Peggy" he
went on. You think as the rest do,
know, that I was fool to act as 1 did.
II would be rank idiocy on my part TO
blame you any more than the others for
thinking as YOU do. Appearances are
against me; the proof is overwhelming.
A year ago 1 was called man; to-day
they are stripping me Of every claim to
that distinction. The world says 1 am a
fool, a dolt, almost criminal-but no one
believes am a man. Peggy, Will you feel
better toward me II l tell you that am
going 10 begin life all over again? 1t will
be a new Monty Brewster that starts out
again IN a few days, or, II you will. it
shall be The old one-the Monty you once
knew"
THE old Monty" she murmured softly,
dreamily. at would be good to see him
so much better than to see the Monty OF
the last year"
And. in spite of all I have done, Peg
gy, you viii stand by me? You won't de-
sert me like the rest? You'll be the same
Peggy Of the other days?" he cried, his
calmness breaking down
How can you ask? Why should you
doubt me?"
For a moment they stood silent each
looking into the heart of the other, each
seeing the beginning of a new day.
Child" his voice trembled danger
ously, Il wonder if you care enough
for me TOTO" but he could only look
question.
TO start all over again with your" she
the question.
''Yes-to trust yourself to the prodigal
who has returned. Without you, child,
all the rest would be as the husks. Peggy,
] want you-youi You do love mel can
see ii in your eyes, can feel it in your
presence"
How long you have been in realizing
il" she said pensiVely as she stretched
out her arms to him For many minutes
he held her close. finding a beautiful
peace in the world again.
How long have you really cared?" he
asked in whisper.
Always. Monty; all my life"
And / too, child, all my life. know
il now: I've known it for months. Oh.
what a fool I was TO have wasted this
love Of yours and ali this love of mine.
But I'll not be a profligate IN love, Peg
gy. III not squander atom Of it, dear,
not as long as / live"
And We viii build a greater love, Mon
ty. as We build the new life together. We
never can be poor while We have love as
treasure"
You won't mind being poor with me?"
he asked.
Il can't be poor with you" she said
simply.
And I might have let all this escape
me- he cried fervently. Listen, Peggy
We viii start together, you my wife
and my fortune. You shall be all that is
left 10 me of the past VIII you marry me
the day after Tomorrow Don't say no,
dearest. 1 want TO begin on that day.
At seven in the morning, dear? Don't
you see how good the start viii be go
And he pleaded so ardently and so
earnestly that he won his point even
though it grew out Of a whim that she
could not then understand. She was not
10 learn until afterward his object in hav-
ing the marriage take place on the morn
ing Of September %. two hours before the
time set for the turning over Of the Sedg-
wick millions. II all went well they
would be Brewster's millions before
twelve O'Clock. and Peggy's life Of pow
erty would cover no more than three
hours of time. She believed him worth
a lifetime Of poverty. So they would start
the new life with but one possession
love-