The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-05-19
MRS. PEGGY.


The house overlooked the river and
the shipping one saw always through
the windows q delicate tangle of spars
and cordage. There was a courtyard
In front of the house with orange
trees in tubs. a high stone wall. and
barred gates shutting out the world
Inc Dars We're necessary. great
many oilers haunted the roadway out
side and spent themselves in useless
endeavors to bride Matthew, the surly
ola porter, to carry messages or
bouquets or jewel cases to his mis-
tress.
Mrs. Peggy is an honest woman
ne would grOwl IF she is stage
player Put up your guineas, sir"
II was true that Mrs Peggy was
an honest woman, and that piquant
and unexpected fact but whetted the
oeslres and ambitions of her adOrers
and they numbered all the towns
pretty fellows. Disappointed in bid
ding low some of these admirers
We're prepared to bid the highest
RumOr had it that one of Mrs.
Peggy's rejected addresses carried a
oucneSS cOrOnet. What If the duke
was old and padded and wicked and
mad glass eye, her stage sisters. TO
say nothing Of more reputable LADIES'
would have given the world Tor ner
chances. Mrs. Peggy though fate had
made her a stage player, hardly saw
the world she lived in. Even though
they called her the Comic Muse-and
est, most irresistible thing alive,
sparkling and glancing in the wild,
wicked comedies of Nanbrugh and
Mrs. Alpra Behn"she had no more of
sin about her than child or a daisy,
and knew as little of the world
She was learning new part this
gray day of November when the short
afternoon was turning to evening.
The candles had not yet been lit in
the great drawing room and the fire
had sunk low.
Such a small. pale. tired face it was
on which the gray light from the win
dows fell The eyes were glorious and
would have made a palmer woman
than Mrs. Peggy beautiful. The nose
was short and straight. the chin full
ana white But Mrs. Peggy had for
gotten her rouge, and the face amid
the brillIance of the powdered hair
showed Wistful and coIorless.
she had the part nearly by heart
When she was uncertain she had to in
cline her head to the light to catch
the reflection upon the pages of her
book There was not a sound outside.
Snow was coming and d tense stiffness
aung on everything.
Suddenly the gate in the courtyard
opened and was shut to with a violence
OF sound which startled Mrs. Peggy.
She stood an instant listening. The
ire fell in the CRATE and flames fol-
lowed the shower of sparks. There
We're footsteps on the stone stairs out
flung open and in rushed Matthew
painting and blowing. With him came
a stranger in cloak whom he half
led. half supported.
Mrs. Peggy, Mrs. Peggy" he stam-
mered in his haste: see whom 1 have
here, and the soldiers are after him
Hide him for Heavens sake, Mrs.
Peggy"
Mrs. Peggy flung down her book
My lord, my lordi" she cried, re-
ceiying the stranger almost on her
pink satin bosom: you are wounded.
And there is the knocking at the gate.
Keep them in parley as long as you
can, Matthew. Into the powdering
closet with you. my lord, and take care
you do not sneeze for your life. I shall
be ready to receive them"
She lifted the hangings of the wall.
opened q door which no one would
have suspected in the panelling, and
pushed the wounded man inside with
gentle haste. Then she few to her
makeup box. Her maid came in and
began to light the candles.
All, all. Elizabeth" she said. Il
want you to make mean illumination"
The maid went on quietly lighting
the candles in all the sconces and can
deiabra before the girandoles on the
lighter than day. The parley at the
gate had ended. Matthews feint OF
deafness which had served MIN often
with Mrs. Peggy adOrers was done
well. The gates were flung wide and
there was the steady tramp of armed
men, the clanking of swords in the
courtyard below.
DO I look my best. child?" Mrs. Peg
gy asked in reply to her maids startled
glances.
oh. madam said the girl, you are
more beautiful than ever"
Then go and pray child Pray hard
that I may be successful in my part,
for if I fail I shall kill myself
She was alone when the officer came
into the room; alone, and studying her
part.
Matthew looked over his shoulder
with all the rosy hues of his face gone
purple.
1T is another lover, madam he said
"or so 1 conjecture, for 1 can hear
nothing but their baWling. I told him
you We're busy, but he would force his
way into your presence"
She stood about the center of the
room smiling The white and gold train