The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1903-12-25

cocy, or Whatever tn0 tuinS lS,yOt
are going deliberately to wreck two
lives" he repeated, flercely. Your.
is your own affair. but Peggy's- O
I've no patience with you.- Weldon"
mine is inexhaustible," observed
coldly, though you are giving 1t
greater strain than it is used to-"
II don't care. Punch my head II
you can't bear to hear the truth.
must speak"
Then began to change the topic
and carry the war into his own coun-
try, most valuable strategy in such
controversy as this-''if you want to
talk, let us discuss your own matri-
monial intentions. Have you proposed
to Miss Vandever YETI"
'Yes."
.'Ah! l can see she has accepted
you.''
Faith, she's the sweetest girl in the
world-so simple and artless, and-O,
go on!"
l went on imperturbably.
"And you-the man who wants to
marry an heiress, to further his par
liamentary ambitions-have succumbed
to the pretty face and demure facina-
tions OF a poor gentlewoman who is
the companion, friend If you like, Of q
millionaire's daughter"
Il have" he cried, defiantly. After
all, it's love and love only that spurs a
man on. Besides, Margaret, who was
a schoolfellow of Peggy and has lived
with her, being an orphan, ever since.
has considerable influence with Bur-
ford. She thinks he might make mo
his private secretary, as a start, so the
dream of my life seems in fair way
to come true. But you, Sgd"
Il absolutely decline to ask Peggy
Burford to make the tremendous sacri-
flee that marriage with me-"
"A successful novelist"
yet none the less hopelessly out Of
her proper groove-would entail. More
over, will give no one-not even my
dearest rivals-a chance to point the
hunter"
Then, in heavens name, why all
these walks and talks, these picnicS
and boating trips of the last week,
unless you were as serious in the game.
as II"
1t was no easy question to answer.
I shrugged my shoulders. a careless
gesture concealing my inner self-re-
proach. Indeed, felt much like con-
victed felon before his judge
You'll break the girls heart, Sgd
ney."
God Forbid" cried, fervently. But,
for my own part, I had no prayer to
breathe.
An hour later / was sitting with
Peggy, looking down at busy scene
below; beach crowded with laughing
children, the yachts and sailing boats
scudding about like larger sea birds.
the excursion steamers lying at the
pier
Mr.. Burford is coming down to-
morrow" said Peggy, apropos. appar-
emily, of nothing. Neither of us had
spoken for several minutes, SO she was
perhaps justified in thus introducing
new topic of conversation.
was in a captious mood. the result
Of much self-restraint, which, like ex-
Tess of learning, can drive men mad.
Il don't profess to be familiar with
and customs of the
highest aristocracy-''
'No?" she queried, innocently, Dig
sing up the soft turf with her sun
shale. Then who got up the local
,olor in My Aunt the Duchess for
1ou?"
But should have thought" went
IN, ignoring her question, that you
night say my father You see," I
ldded, by way of explanation, I'VE have
lot been on such terms of strict for
nality up to now"
But Mr.. Burford isn't my father"
he cried, and q sudden flush GRIM |
oned her cheeks.
"What?" shouted, springing up
rom the seat in amazement. mot |
our father! But I understood-that |
8, Mike-I mean MacDermott-told me |
ou were Miss Peggy Burford. And / |
ook his word for it" l finished lamely. /
Mr.. McDermott didn't know any
betther' then" she said, with a mis-
hievous echo of his occasional brogue.
He does now"
But who-what-are you, them"
II? O, plain Margaret Vandeyer.
hare is the only real and genuine Miss
'urford."
She pointed along the walk. A couple
'ere coming slowly towards us, the
IAN. Mike. appearing to be protesting
arnestly.
But why did you practice this-er-
licked deception upon us two unsus-
Getting males?.. asked.
1t was her idea. Peggy's. That ter
BILE night when fell into the water
he found your friend, Mr.. MacDer-
lott, was q little"
Mad? It's only his way. He's alb
olutely harmless, assure you. It's
le national characteristics-"
NO. not mad, Of course. was 60
lg to say impressed, and he grew con-
Dental, telling her all about himself.
nd his prospects and his ambition.
nd she was afraid If he found out
no she really was he'd get fright