The San Francisco call., 1904-11-12

n aunt. CIe Idu OCCI NF
so irreproachably that her pru-
dence passed into a proverb among
her friends.
Peggy walked circumspectly
through a careless world. So correct
was she that her mere presence was
the stamp of propriety and, had she
been a little older, she could have
sidetracked all the young matrons as
chaperons. Peggy represented the
phenomenon of an old head on young
shoulders. She looked ahead and was
never taken at a disadvantage.
Old maids children are proverbial-
ly fiawless. Her aunt expected Peg
gy TO love with discrimination and
exemplary a girlhood; but the ap
pearance of James Dunbar proved a
stumbling block. Peggy lost her heart
completely. Only her head saved her
from its weak promptings.
What you ask is impossible, Jim.
On what should we live %
I've a hundred a month and am
promised a raise"
(which you can't spend until you
earn. No, Jim, I'm not extravagant,
but how could we live and save for
a rainy dav?"
Not much to save at first. Surely
you care for me, Peggy? Why,
worship you, so nothing else matters.
1 won't let you want and we can wait
for Iuxuries."
Peggy shook her head. The strug-
gle was so great she dared not trust
her voice.
We'll. be ngaged-promise to wait
for me-
'Oh, Jim, you tear at my"
Your prudence" Dunbar's voice
grew little hard.
Il meant heart strings, but that
does not matter. You are going TO
Cheltmore in charge of the telegraph
Office. The conditions will be new.
We are both young. Aunt Margaret
says we can afford to wait. When
you get your raise-come and ask"
Encouraging" cried Dunbar with
scorn. Work and plan for a girl
who, for prudent reasons may be
married before my aim is accom-
plished. If you are afraid to marry
now all right, but at least give me
your promise-or it all ends here"
IF YOU talk to me like this now,
what will you do when we are mar
ried?"
Peggy in her anger still looked ahead.
They were walking and now they in
stinctively turned toward home
Aunt Margaret was pleased with her
niece's decision
You acted prudently, as always"
Great praise, yet somehow it failed to
comfort Peggy. James Dunbar went
to his new post without a word, and
life became a dull, spiritless affair to
Peggy. She lost her appetite, and for
got how to laugh. Aunt Margaret,
growing anxious, dosed her with old
fashioned remedies; but neither refer
red to Peggy's decision.
AT length came a break in the mo-
notony. Stella Moss, recently married,
wrote Peggy of her happiness, and
begged her company for a week. Peggy
read with, amazement, that she lived at
Cheltmore. James Dunbar had been
appointed telegraph operator at Chelt-
more. The opportunity could not be
resisted. Peggy in a delirium of hope
fulness accepted with her aunt's per-
mission. Neither spoke of the possi-
bilities of the visit up to the last day.
then Aunt Margaret cleared her throat.
My dear, your decision about Mr..
Dunbar was prudent, but"
Il don't suppose L shall see him, y
ventured Peggy hypocritically
He may reopen the-er-subject. Do
not be hasty. 1 have been peculiarly
blessed. / have the comfort of a daugh-
ter, without the drawback Of a hus-
band. Every one is so fortunate"
Peggy kissed her aunt, then gather
ing her baggage entered the cab. AS
she bought her ticket, the agent in
quired whether she wished Cheltmore,
Pennsylvania or New York
Pennsylvania" said Peggy.
1t seemed more expensive, and a
longer trip than she had anticipated,
but it was not until late in the after
noon that she suspected a mistake.
The conductor informed her that the
train was due at Z. Peggy re-
membered Stella's writing that, If she
took the o'clock train she would ar
rive in ample time for dinner.
The train pulled out at 3:15 and
Peggy had charged the discrepancy to
her watch. Now she grew anxious.
Her preparations had not been made
with her usual forethought. She had
cared only for the fact that she was
going to Cheltmore-and that Jim was
there.
On reaching her destination the
worst was soon known. There was no