Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-20

remarked that Peggy's mother was quite
ignorant of Peggy's recent conversation.
THE Jelliffes and the Robesons have
never worshiped the golden calf. You may
rest assured that If you did not enjoy the
personal regard of both myself and Peggy
regard for you alone - that you never
could have obtained either her acceptance
my approval to your suit. But money!
No. What is money to Peggy or myself in
such an event in our lives?"
Constitutional smiled. Ostensibly 1t was
a smile of relief. Really it was smile de-
moniacal In expression. He was finessing
a bit. He was having his fun, was Const1-
tutional Smith.
81 am glad of that. ma'am," he an
swered, mot because it would have made
any difference with me, because I can
not blame the girls of today who marry
for money. But 1 didn't want her disap-
pointed If she was marrying me for my
money. then I didn't want her to be disap-
pointed when she heard the news, you
know and"
THE news gasped Mrs. Robson.
what news?"
Constitutional rose to his feet and struck
an indescribable attitude. Rarely had he
enjoyed situation like the present.
That's just the point. Mrs Robson" he
answered, Il am very much oyerrated
man - and have been always. I have
been known as the Klondike king, because
did make money. But my investments
have failed. 1 am in bad way. Today"
he added quietly and with a strong hold
upon his feelings, to-day am almost with
out a dollar in the world"
Mrs. Robson turned white. mot a dol
lar in the world" she echoed feebly.
He smiled-again with relief. I'm glad
told you," he went on hastily, and I'm
glad ma am, to see that 1t makes no differ
ence to you. 1 know that it makes none to
Miss Peggy
"You-you are joking SIR" exclaimed
Mrs. Robson. 'You-you can't mean it,
SIR"
Smith laughed hearty laugh Mean
itP' he answered. "Of course, 1 mean It,
You'll find it out soon enough But what
of it? We can be happy together. you
and 1 and Peggy. We can get along. q
am a mason by trade, and l can work at
my trade, and"
Work at your trader" said Mrs. Robe
son. suddenly turning faint, Work at a
trade? Her daughters husband-work at
a trade 1t was awful for her to contem-
carried to her grave rather than have her
daughter enter the most genteel kind Of
employment. And for her daughter to
have husband that worked at his trade!
Constitutional Smith did not seem to no.
tice the CONSERVATION visible in the APP
pearance of the good woman.
He tapped her lightly on the shoulder.
so It's all right, Mother Robson he
you really don't care about it, and that
| Peggy really likes me for myself, as you
have said-and-and it's all right"
| Now Mrs. Robson looked at this man
| who appeared to be SO genial. At first she
| was too shocked to think. Now she re-
| VOWED the matter in her thoughts. There
was something Incompatible she thought
! to herself, between this mans words and
his air of gayety-at least SO it seemed to
| her. Perhaps he was trying her Perhaps
1t was true. She was between two horns of
4 dilemma. But she was prudent
Mr.. OKeefe." she said at length, ct Is
i hard to believe that you have met with
such misfortune. II 1t be so. then my
sympathies are with you But l see now
| no reason why 1t should make a difference
to us. Peggy's path in life may be less
| smooth, but what of that
| She moralized upon the subject for some
| fifteen minutes. But all that she said was
| tentative. She did not commit herself.
| MY. but she's foxy" thought Constitu-
| tional Smith. And yet she was nothing
more than certain type of good Christian
| prudent. far-seeing, matchmaking mother
of the present age. But she was a match
for him, Constitutional Smith, strong-arn
man and swindler She left him finally
| and when she left him he really did not
| know just where he stood But he knew
| what would happen ultimately, and 1t was
| his purpose to bring things to a focus and
| at once
Don't exhibit too much fondness fol
him. Peggy" said Peggy's mother, before
| she sent her in again.
| NO mother, l shall not" said Peggy
| dutifully but why do you ask me not to p
Her mother did not attempt to explain
the mystery.
Miss Peggy" said Constitutional Smith
! a minute later. 1--WE talked this thing owe,
with your mother, and / don't think" ht
| added, with shake Of the head that tht
old-that is. don't think that your mother
looks with favor on my suit. She didn't
] say just that, but that Is what gather