The Savannah morning news., 1904-01-10


bonds; withal, the Generals presence
alone would mean a multitude, and
that OF gaudieSt feather, for it asked
no skill of society to know how that
same impulse of self-interest was ever
at work to move it, as much as might
be said of any conspiracy of toughest
politics. The General as the present
source of things temporal would be
courted; and to that sycophantish end
your swarming brood of courtiers
would be found tagging at his back
though he were to make a sulphurous
pilgrimage and seek the pit itself.
There came one thing, however to
rub my fur against the grain; but
this was of the week prior to our Tues
day of Pegs reception. 1t is the great
marvel how it will ever be the slight
affair to ruff1e one. 1 have known a
rascal to crack off his pistol at me for
no better reason than strong drink;
and yet beyond busy interest to stun
him and prevent a return of his expert
ment, and to settle safety in my favor,
my bosom went as rippleleSs of wrath
as any mill pond. On the other side,
the idle whistle of some fellow, and
him outside the house and of no knowl-
edge even OF my being, has sent me on
on storms of rage.
This it was to nag me into irritation.
There arrived one day a mighty cas-
ket of Jewels for Peg-diamonds and
rubies they were, and ones a princess
might have worn with honor They
were a gift from Eaton; for that Sec
rotary was notably rich and owned the
treasure chests of an emperor.
Peg said naught of these thrinkets,
whether to the General or to me, nor
did she show them. But since they came
in from New York, employing for their
safety certain armed guardians of eX-
press, the thing could be called no Sc
cret. Moreover, Eaton himself would
probably be the last to smother the
story of these chains and bracelets and
brooches and coronets and flashing
whatnot, since for what else did he
buy them save self-love and to deck
Peg out as one decks out a horse on
gala days. That man never loved
Peg; it was a mark of sentiment be-
yond him. He had pride of her as
of a gem or a picture, and wore her
beauty as one wears a decoration. But
he no more knew Peg, no more loved
Peg, than cud-cattle know and love the
stars above their stolid heads. Her
praise would ring sweet to his ear,
yes; her loneliness and the bright
glory of her eyes would tighten his
face. Also, the moon will light you
and shine again on the face of that
chance-followed mud-hole which the
rains have filled and the swine en-
joyed.
1t is but truth to say that my re-
sentiment of these jewels to Peg gave
me a pause of uneasiness. 1t was not
the little fact of their existence which
bayed me; it was not that 1 went
pricked as though by nettles because of
these gewgaws; that was not it. But
why should 1 be pricked at all? Other
folk would bring diamonds to their
wives or sweethearts, and you meet
none who owned to less excitement or
a colder interest thereover than my
self. Why, then, should these stir my
pulse and set my anger to trot? 1t
were indeed a thing most passing
strange, and one whereof I was bound
to find the bottom If l called myself
an honest man.
The question of my anger for Pegs
Jewels hung about me like lead. l tell
you; for to myself 1 made free con-
fession of that wrath and would hide
nothing of it from my conscience. l
was stout to drag myself to the bar,
and to sit in trial over my own heart.
Was it love of Peg to move me! Inc
General had told me how 1 had been
swept away in love for her from the
first; but that was his jest and the
bantering humor of him at the time
Was l in love with Peg? And IL not,
then wherefore fly to arms for that
Eaton would hang the common gifts
of man to wife about her charms ana
strive for her delight? That was the
question 1 held before my souls eyes
and shook it for an answer.
In trice the riddle was replied TO;
the reasons of my anger unrolled pc
fore me like a scroll. 1t was not that
| loved Peg; it was my certain sure
ness how Eaton himself was master
of no such true sentiment. nor one
worthy of the word. AS I have said,
he but held her-being below better
thought-to adorn his vanity; he would
wrap her in his riches in the Vulgarlty
of a boast. Peg was as the 1eatner
to his hat, the jewel to his nit; ne
trapped her in brilliants just as he
drunk from cut glass. And knowing
Peg as I knew her, and with a deep
apnreciation of her worth, was 1t mir
acle. or must my heart be charged OF
crime, because my brow would nush
to see her thus abased and set TO
nurse so gross a self-esteem? BESIDES
it fell as a blow upon ones better
taste, since to embellish Peg with sucn
earthenware was indeed 10 paint
lily and gild gold.
1t was true, I so much resented
these Jewels, and they so bit my reel
ing in advance, that went at WIS
end to fish forth some excuse for being
absent from that reception and thus
avoid their tawdry splendors. But
when I moved the matter. the General
was set like iron that I should go.
Were it the General alone to cross
my temper for this, I should have run
over him, no doubt, and had my way
for it. But next stood Peg in the
path. I no more than breathed a half
suggestion of possible conditions to
arise and keep me from the house,
when she glowed on me with look so
gently pleading that, without waiting
for her to speak, straightway told
her would come.
"And I am glad, Watchdog" said
Peg, simply. "I could give myself no
reason, save reason that would burn
like fire, why you should stay away"
1t should be noted, perhaps, that the
magical tale of those gems ran in and
out of the the gossip for prior days.
and I doubt not purpose to look on
them-for the feminine eye is caught
with glitter like a blackbird, which
hollow fowl will think of nothing for
a week on end save how to steal bit
of broken glass-brought as many to
Pegs reception as did the presence of
the General.
And here, being now upon the brink,
I fairly ask you what should be the
use of setting forth how the carriages
rolled to the gate; and how Peg stood
like some flower beneath the light of
a chandelier-for these receptions were
in the evening-with her good little
Secretary" by her side, welcoming the
throngs to press forward in her honor?
The Calhouns were not there; and, in
deed, the folk from the Vice Presi-