Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1904-10-27
THE WIRES
CROSS - ~
By JOANNA SINGLE
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Copyright, teot BY Daily Story Pub Coz
DEGGY had conscience; this trou-
bled her little Worst still, she
had heart-no, four hearts-her own,
which she had taken back from Jack
Trent because she accused him of flirt-
ing with Nell Forest; Jacks, which he
declared would be hers forever,
though she would not allow him TO
explain how he came to have Nell
canoeing; and the two hearts of Bob
10y James and Ned Browne, respective
~. Peggy was sure she had forgotten
Jacl-aimOst, anyway and that she
had been right to dismiss him as she
had. True, she also had fiirted little,
but-One somehow expects a man to be
stronger. So Peggy, her heart in her
hand, yacillated between Ned and Bob
by in what she thought was a sincere
doubt as to which OF them she should
give the coveted treasure They both
wanted it, neither had exactly pro
posed. but Peggy was familiar with
the symptoms.
Right here is where Peggy's con-
gle them, to encourage them beth, as
She had done for six months, and still
be no whit nearer a final choice be-
tween them? That the men knew
each other-had, in fact. been chums at
college-and that they were bitterly
Jealous OF each other, made things
worse. Peggy was mortally afraIt
thai the wires would cross some time,
ana that they would both be angry
Sfa wanted people to be nice and pa
tienr. She was not patient herself
II they had not dweit in seperatc
towns one 60 miles east. and one so
miles west of her home. Peggy would
have had even more difficulty in keep
Ing things straight
Here it was September. and neither
man knew that since May he had
made alternating weekend visits to
the iady's home. Each simply thought
il was awtully good OF her to- let him
come once in two weeks. Between
whiies she had kept up lively corre-
spondencc with them. They liked
Peggy's gay, fiirtatious letters. Sha
enjoyed their letters immensely. They
came thrice q week on the same mai.
Peggy compared the letters. the pho,
tos of the men. and the men them
selyes Since she had forgotten Jack.
she must choose between them.
Peggy's mother calmly ignored her
daughters doings, in the hope that the
girl would return to Jack, who, as the
world knows, was made for Peggy.
Maternal wisdom restrained Mrs. Ben
ton from openly champiOning Jack:
instead, she accepted Ned and Bobby
with kind hospitality, and lightly
yelled amusement. SIN refused to take
them seriously.
One day while Peggy was writing
her mother asked:
ITO those boys. | suppose? Which
are you going to keep for a perma-
nent playthine?" The girl was de-
mufe. She looked at the two letters
she had just written, each equally pro-
Hocative and alluringly coquettish.
i don't know" she said. 81 don't.
really! Bobby's 50 blonde and loyabIe
and chummy. and like lawyers. Bu,
Ned's so big and dark and splendid
he could make me mind, think. And
Nell Forest. semes to want him"
That" said her mother. "shorId
make no difference to YOU"
Pe3gys face grew red with anger
"The cat! guess you'd want to
get even! What did she mean by be-
ing with Jack whea he said business
hindered him from seeing me thar
night"
you you'd !now, if you had let
him explain"
lie didn't deserve the chance. /
have forgotten him, mother"
Evidently" said thai lady dryiy
and with inward rejoicing. WheJ.
there is anger there is hope She leIf
the room saying:
Nov just put those letters in the
wrong envelopes. Peggy, and you'u
have things mixed badly enough to
eait even you"
Psggy addressed tue envelopes ana