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

There's no merit in That. And after prom
, ISL US So many nam things, too victoria
Why" exclaimed Peggy, what do you
this?'
We'll. OF course" said Mrs. Robson. "he
never actually promised US anything. But
when we supposed he was wealthy, 1t is
Just as good as promising us these things.
Inc idea. The big. clumsy. vulgar boor.
"What-what can we do about it?" re-
turned Peggy, who had obeyed Smiths in
Junction not to divulge the purport of his
i words. told him l would marry
MN Vim' ia ! am IN honor bound to marry him.
did not make any difference to me-and you
were right: What shall 1 do?"
do nothing answered Mrs. Robson.
nothing. shall do everything. 1 shall
write him, and end the relation once and
for ALL"
This was just what Peggy wanted her
mot to say; She sighed with relief.
Inc responsibility was upon her mothers
shoulders. Her mother was deciding for
her. 1t was all right
MT constitutional Smith, day later, sat
IN m ms -. den with broad grin on his face,
Robson in his hand.
Ihat woman he said to himself, lis
one OF the very few women in this world
what's what
He had barely finished the letter when a
caller was announced, and he descended to
the floor below.
BY strange coincidence, it was Miss
fessy Ropeson. II ought not to have
come. she said breathlessly but I wanted
10 tell you that 1 did not know-I could
not nave known, of your misfortune 1
want 10 tell you that 1.-THE money-could
never nave made any difference to me-
dont think You have been treated quite
larry by-by people. wanted you to know
that L have tried to treat you fairly. I
want to thank you for your consderat ton
10, r
to understand
a small photograph
stand az dund 1fs an he answered. Il under
u ,nat belongs to you. I'd like toto keep 1t
II you don't mind" He blushed Now.
MISS Peggy" he went on don't you mind
me- and | won't mind you. You just stick
STICK to you. That's all
But m mighty glad you came, at that"
he said as she went
ION, Jonn Lorlmer-what of him? 1t was one
Ihins 1or Peggy Robson, beloved of John
Lorlmer; 1t was one thing for her to send
MIN forth into the night, a victim of her
iaithfulness to duty. 1t was quite another
lhins 10 cail John Lorimer back. Lorimer
He had believed in her that night when she
nad sent him forth-beleved that perhaps
she was right. perhaps he was wrong
But not for long did he asquiesce in that
Ahe more ne thought about 1t the
more ne ragged within himself In his manly
se!hshness he forgot her suffering: forgot
all suffering but his own. His whole being
was hiieo with great pity for himself, a
consuming Indignation for the trick which
mad been practiced upon him.
She had no right" he kept repeating to
himself she had no right"
ne became morose and stubborn He
couio see now that she would not suffer;
she would live surrounded by ali that
wealth could buy; she would live in IuxnrH.
IN the material things of life she would
reVei. But he! She had no right, It
was all wrong. He told himself that it
was not a mistake and If it were not. 1t
hi @o het fn put deliberate rejection of
nm 1oT rich man. That was all. She
mad called 1t by another name. It NAV
nave been duty-if -so,r if were a pleasant
duty Thus he reasoned.
Mnen ne received her note telling him
what Smith had saba simple note which
was his due, which it was exceedingly
proper for her to write-when he received
this note telling him everything there was
10 ten. ne simply smiled. 1t did him good,
OF the financial condition of Ellington
Okeefe We're circulated he smiled still
more. -.i ~
She was through with me- he said to
n nimseii, through with me for Ellington
v hee1e; Now that everybody is through
with Burlington OKeefe she has turned him
off Now. l am through with her.
Where Is the man who has not had these
thoughts? John Lorimer was no exception
to the rule. He had been disappointed He
knew why and how and by whom he had
been disappointed. He understood it all
And to some extent it appealed to his
reason.
But in the blindness of his disappointment
he turned in his thoughts upon this girl
whom in his deepest being he knew he still
loved. He was through with her-she was
a trifier. He was through with her for
ever.
Little Peggy Robson waited and waited
for John Lorimer to come She did not
write again. Her mother spent her time in
bemoaning the scarcity of rich men in Mon
roe Between whites she relieved her feel
ings upon the subject of Ellington O'Keefe.
One rainy night, when the storm drove
with unusual fury against the window
panes, there was hurried ring at the door
of the Robson house. At the same time
there came a peal of thunder, with the re-
suit that Peggy's mother, who was on the
floor above, did not hear the bell, while
Peggy did. Peggy answered it.
A young man hastily stepped in. He
looked at Peggy, saw that she was alone,
threw his long rain coat upon a chair,
hesitated for a moment and then. Then
he stepped quickly to her side and threw
his arms about her.
"Peggy-Peggy girl" he whispered, Il
had to come. II couldn't stand it any
longer l had to come-sweet Peggy"
Peggy placed one hand upon his Shout
der. She might have been disagreeable and
stood upon her dignity. But she did not.
She knew that she loved this young man
and that he loved her.
81 knew-I knew you'd come" she an
swered. There was an increased rush or
rain without He shuddered. This" he
you sent me away. am glad to be back"
he added II couldn't stay away.
(To be continued)