The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1905-10-13
was too mucn. NO villa

Wire the fellow" he said, sthat 1 will
aud 10 my last offer a French machine
OF the latest model and tho best make.
Say, too, that would like immediate
possession"
He secured it, and the crowd vas
transferred at once to fairyland.
There were protests, Of course. but
these Brewster had grown to cxpect
ana he was learning to carry things
with n high hand. The travellers had
been preceded by Bertier, and the
greeting they received from the stew
ard of the estate and his innumerable
assistants was very Italian and full Of
color. A break in their monotony was
welcome.
The lovelineSs of the villa and its
grounds, which sloped down to the
gentle lake, silenced criticism. For n
time it was suprcmcly satisfying to do
nothing. Pettingill wandered about
as though lie could not believe it was
real: He was lost in n kind OF at
nospherc Of ecstasy. TO the others.
who took it more calmly, it was still
a sort Of paradise Those who were
happy found in it an intensification of
happiness, and to those who were sad
It offered the tendercst opportunities
for melancholy. Mrs. Dan told Brew
ster that only poet could have had
'his inspiration. And Peggy added:
Anything after this would be an an.
uclimaN. Really, Monty, you would
better take us home'
Il feel like the boy who was shut in
Il closet for punishment and found it
the place where they kept the jam"
SAID Subway. at is almost as good
as owning Central park"
Inc stables were well equipped, and
the days wore on in a wonderful
peace. 1t was on radiant afternoon.
when twelve Of the crowd had started
out after tea for Il long ride toward
Lugano, that Monty determined to call
feSSy Gray to account. He was GER
tain that she had deliberately avoided
him for days and weeks. and he could
md no reason for it. Hour after hour
he had lain awake wondering where
he had failed her, but the conclusion
or one moment was rejected the next.
The Monte Carlo episode seemed the
most plausible cause, yet even before
that he had noticed that whenever he
approached her she managed to be
talking with some one else. Two or
three times he was sure she had seen
Dis intention before she took refuge
with Mrs. Dan or Mary Valentine or
Pettingiil The thought of the last
name gave Monty sudden thrill.
What if 1t were he who had come be-
tween them? 1t troubled him. but
seemed impossible. AS they mounted
and started Off the exhilaration of the
ride made him hopeful. They were to
have dinner in the open air in the
shadow Of an abbey ruin some miles
away, and the servants had been sent
sahead to prepare it. 1t went well and
with Mrs. Dams help the dinner was
made gay. On the return Monty, who
Join Peggy. She seemed eager to be
with the rest, and he lost no time with
a preamble.
do you know, Peggy" he began,
something seems to be wrong, and 1
am wondering what it isl
"Why, what do you mean, Monty!"
as he paused.
every time l come near you, child,
you seem to have something else to do.
If join the group you are in it is the
signal for you to break away"
Nonsense, Monty! Why should
avoid you? We have known one am
other much too long for that" But he
thought he detected some contradiction
In her eyes, and he was right. The girl
was afraid of him, afraid of the sensa-
tions he awoke, afraid desperately of
betrayal.
"Pettingill may appeal to you," he
said, and his voice was serious, "but
you might ut least be courteous to me-"
"How absurd you are, Monty Brew
ster." The girl grew hot. You needn't
think that your million gives you the
privilege of dictation to all of your
guests"
Peggy! How can you?" he inter-
jected
She went on ruthlessly, "If my con-
duct interferes with your highness'
pleasure 1 can easily Join the Prestons
in Paris"
Suddenly Brewster remembered that
Pettingill had spoken Of the Prestons
and expressed fieetng wish that he
might be with them in the Latin quar-
ter. with Pettingill to follow, sup
pose," he said icily. ut would certain
ly give you more privacy"
And Mrs. Dan more opportunities.n
she retorted as he dropped back toward
the others,
The artist instantly took his place.
The next moment he had challenged
her to a race and they We're flying
down the road In the moonlight Brew
ster, not to he outdone. was after them,
but 1t was only moment before his
horse SHE'D violently at something
black In the road. Then he saw Peg.
gy's horse galloping riderless. Instant
ly with faar 4 Iis tl,rant l.L