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

Upon Monty's return from his trying
hour with the lawyers, he had been be-
sieged with questions, but he was cleverly
evasive. Peggy alone was insistent; she
had curbed her curiosity until they were
on the way home, and then she implored
him to tell her what had happened. The
misery he had endured nothing
to this reckoning with the woman who
had the right to expect fair treatment.
His duty was clear, but the strain had
been heavy and it was not easy to meet
It,
Peggy something terrible has happen
ed" he faltered, uncertain of his course.
Tell me everything, Monty, you can
trust me to be brave"
when 1 asked you to marry me-" he
continued gravey, ut was with the
thought that 1 could give you everything
tomorrow. l looked for a fortune. L
never meant that you should marry a
pauper."
1T don't understand. You tried to test
my love for your
mo, child, not that. But was pledged
not to speak of the money 1 expected,
and I wanted you so much before 1t
came"
And it has failed you?" she answered.
at can't see that it changes things. l ex-
pected to marry a pauper, as you call it.
Do you think this could make differ
ence?"
But you don't understand, Peggy.
haven't penny in the world
"You hadn't a penny when I accepted
you," she replied. 81 am not afraid.
believe In you. And If you love me shall
not give you up
'Dearest?' and the carriage was at the
door before another word was uttered.
But Monty called to the coachman to
drive just once around the block.
Good night, my darling" he said when
they reached home. ''Sleep till eight
o'clock If you like. There is nothing now
in the way of having the wedding at nine,
instead of at seven. In fact, l have a
reason for wanting my whole fortune to
come to me then. You will be all that l
have in the world, child, but I am the
happiest man alive"
In his room the strain was relaxed and
Brewster faced the bitter reality. With
out undressing he threw himself upon
the lounge and wondered what the world
held for him. 1t held Peggy at least, he
thought and she was enough. But had he
been fair to her? Was he right in ex-
acting a sacrifice? His tired brain whirl-
ed in the effort to decide. Only one thing
was clear-that he could not give her
up. The future grew black at the very
thought of it. With her he could make
things go. but alone it was another mat
ter. He would take the plunge and he
would justify it,.
Looking toward the window he saw the
black, uneasy night give way to the COM
ing day. Haggard and faint he arose
from the couch to watch the approach
of the sun that is Indifferent to wealth
and poverty, to gayety and detection.
From far off in the gray light there came
the sound of a five o'clock bell. A little
later the shriekS of factory whistles were
borne to his ears, muffled by distance, but
pregnant with the Importance of a new
day of toll. They were calling him, with
all poor men, to the sweat-shop and the
forge, to the great mill of life. The new
era had begun, dawning bright and clear
to dispense the gloom in his soul.
Leaning against the easement and
wondering where he could earn the first
dollar for the Peggy Brewster that was
Peggy Gray, he rose to meet 1t with a
fine unfiinching fearlessness.
Before o'clock he was downstairs and
waiting. Joe Bragdon Joined him a bit
later. followed by Gardner and the min