Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1904-02-19
CHAPTER /.
castle lies in Sur

" = EVANSTON castle lies in Sur
EA rcy. The Earl OF Exham Is
EVA master of the picturesque old
pile and of the estate and de-
cidedly the slave of the very consider
able number Of debts which were up
to his lordship's ears when he came Of
age, some four and fifty years ago. and
by this time have reached almost to
the crown Of his head. He Is also IA
Their to his son and heir. Kennaston Of
Kennaston. and to the heirs tall twin.
my Lady Peggy.
My Lady Peggy at this particular
moment sits a-swinging on the top
branch Of plum tree at the foot Of the
kitchen garden, whence she commands
tolerable view Of the highway.
"IMIertinent SUM-" cries Peggy, shad-
ing her handsome eyes with her hand
rs she stares off along the dusty road.
How is't you dare shine when there's
no fine gentleman a-coming from the
east, no gallant with disheveled locks,
powdered shoulders, disordered mien,
distracted looks, spurs a-dlgging into
his beast, lips apart, heart beating like
spent rabbits and Peggy, lovely Peg
gy,' the clapper to his eager tongue at
every jolt of his saddle, every rut Of
his way? Go cloud yourself. say.
since Sir Percy tarries. I'd have the
skies weep, even If can't" A peal Of
merriest laughter concludes this sally,
and an apronful Of plums comes tum-
bling down all over the other young
woman who stands under the tree in
waiting on her mistress.
els his lordship not yet in sight, my
lady?" asks this one.
NAY; that is not he, Chockey, and,
whisk me, but when his lordship does
come he'll find a very sorry entertain
ment. l swear, as dad says, I'll not
see him when he does appear; that
will not I. Nay; shake not your head,
girl. Is't not true that Lady Peggy
had once a lover"
"'Twere truer say q dozen of that
sort of gentry, madam" replies the
buxOm Chockey as she sorts the
plums, the best in her bonnet, the
flaws over the wall, where the chick
ems and hens cackle to the refuse.
"Well, well, twenty, II you like, but
one more favored than the rest-the
properest sort of man at saddle, gun,
line, wrestle, toast, song or dance;
honest, straightforward, beautiful as
dad says the angels are he saw paint
ed ON the walls at Rome. Speak ]
truth, en-. Ch0ckeyT
Madam, that you do"
"And this paragon so worshiped his
Peggy as when she went OF three
months since to visit her godmother in
Kent he vowed by all the saints In the
calendar he'd scarce survive until her
return. False or true. eh. Chockeyr'
My Lady Peggy punctuated this
query by an accurate aim and hit on
the top Of her waiting woman's head.
with an especially large plum.
True, madam" lodging the fruit
and still with an eye on the road.
And then back comes my Lady Peg
gy, cutting short her stay in Kent,
where she had much pleasure, to tell
the truth. in the society Of very fine
young nobleman"
"Lawk, madam! Anotherr inter-
rupted the faithful Chockey.
Another, Chock," vouchsafes her
mistress. Sweet sweet Sir Robin Nc
Tart"
"Oh. my ladyg' cries the girl, vainly
endeavoring to conceal smile.
AYE. Chock." proceeds Peggy, II say
again, q sweet and most entrapping
young man."
MADAM. squirt eye, wry nose. an
underlip that hangs, pair Of fox teeth
and a chin that's gone a-huntin' for his
throatr'
Tut tut. Chockr' laughs Lady Peg
81, leaning back in her leafy bower.
"What's all that to q nimble wit, a gal
looping conversation and a faithful
hearth Lady Peggy's tone is as light
as the May breeze blowing her soft
locks about her lovely, blooming face,
full Of mockery, witchery-and then a
bit Of q sigh, low az nowers' whispers,
and up with her dropped head higher
than before, as in the half mannish
tone her twinship and long playfellow-
ship with her brother have given her,
she adds CURLY:
Dye see aught coming yet. Chock r
! no my lady. not yet" answers the
girl ruefully.
! Peggy bites her lips until they hurt.
: AS I was a-saying, Chock, your mis-
tress cuts short her visit, sends word to
her lover she'll be home O Thursday,
and. as I live. today's the Monday aft
er. and him still on the way! See himv'
Peggy's white teeth close tight and her
eyes fash and her little hands clinch.
mot II Let him come now and he
goes again faster than he ever Travelled.
The vain coxcombl The deceitful, coz
iening, graeeless puppetl He'll ne'er
bet eyes on her he used to call his Peg
again or I die for'ty And Peggy
bumped to the ground.
MADAM, madam exclaims Chockey,
pointing Joyfully to a cloud Of dust far
up the highway. "Lookl Yonder
comes Sir Percy! Don't I know? Amt
I watched hts long roam any day this
twelvemonth a-turnin' by the LOGGER
Lady Peggy seizes Chockey's arm
and runs breatAless to the house, In,
a-scrambhng up.the broad stairs to her
chamber. a-pultng out Of drawers
from their chests, a-hunt1ng Of ribbons
and fallals, combs, brushes, kerchiefs,
perfumes. patches, powder. whatever
else besides.
Hurry, Chock! Do my hair a. he
likes it,! urges Lady Peggy.
"Lawk, madam! I thought you
swore just now you'd never set eyes on
Sir Percy againT
You thought! Bless you, Chock,
never be a-wasting your time a-think-
ing where woman's concerned. When
her heart steps up and lays hold the
reins the steed gallops to the goal. She's
always time to think after she's acted"
"Yes, madam" concurs Chockey,
with a mental reservation back of her
mouthful Of pins. There. my lady,
your ladyship's hair Is lovely, your
Levantine gown becomes you like a
pheasant do its plumage, and your eyes
IN Q.ChiniOs rx-ifh 1Ovo