Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1905-12-22

There must be some way Of getting
at this marYuiSe." Monty continued re-
fectivcly. What are her tastes? Do
you know anything about herr"
Suddenly the face Of the courier
grew bright II have IT," he said. and
then he faltcred But the expense,
mousieur-it would be heavy"
Perhaps we can meet IT," suggested
Monty quietly. whats the idea?"
1t was explained. with plenty Of ac-
ton to make il clear. The courier had
heard in Florence that madame Ia
marullisc had Il passion for autOmo-
biles. But with her inadequate for
tune and the many demands upon it
1t was weakness not readily graft
fled. The machine she had used dur
Ing the winter was by no means up to
date. Possibly If monsieur Yet 1t
was too much. No villa
But Brewster's decision was made.
"Wire the fellow" he said, that I will
add to my last offer French machine
Of the latest model and the best make.
Say, too, that I would like immediate
possession"
He secured it, and the crowd was
transferred at once to fairyiand.
There were protests. Of course. but
these Brewster had grown to expect.
and he was learning to carry things
with 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 loneliness of the villa and its
grounds, which sloped down to the
gentle lake, silenced criticism. For a
time 1t was supremely satisfying to do
nothing Pettinglll wandered about
as though he could not believe 1t was
real. He was lost in q kind Of at.
mOsphere of ecstasy. To the others
who took it more calmly. 1t was still
a sort Of paradise. Those who We're
happy found in it an intensification OF
happiness. and to those who were sad
1t offered the tenderest opportunities
for melancholy. Mrs. Dan told Brew
ster that only q poet could have had
this inspiration. And Peggy added
i Anything after this would be an IN
ticlimax. Really. Monty, you would
better take us home"
II feel Ike the boy who was shut II
closet for punishment and found II
the place where they kept the jam.
said Subway. 1T is almost as good
as owning Central park"
The stables were well equipped. and
the days wore on IN wonderful
peace. 1t was on radiant afternoon
when twelve Of the crowd bad started
out after tea for q long ride toward
I.uganO, that Monty determined to cal
Peggy Gray to account He was Ger
tain that she had deliberately avoided
him for days and weeks, and he could
find no reason for 1t. Hour after hour
he had lain awake wondering where
he had failed her, but the conclusion
Of one moment was rejected the next
The Monte Carlo episode seemed the
most plausible cause. yet even before
that he had noticed that whenever be
| approached her she managed to be
talking with some one else. Two OF
three times he was sure she had seen
his intention before she took refuge
with Mrs. Dan or Mary Valentine OF
Pettingill. The thought Of the last
name gave Monty a sudden thrill
What II It were he who had come be.
tween them? It troubled him, but
there were moments when the idea
seemed impossible. As they mounted
and started OF 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
ahead to prepare It. It went well, and
with Mrs. Dams help the dinner was
made gay. On the return Monty, who
was OF last, spurred up his horse to
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 I
am wondering what 1t is"
why, what do you mean. Montyr'
as he paused.
Every time come near you, child,
you seem to have something else to'do.
II I join the group you are in it Is the
signal for you to break away"
Nonsense, Monty! Why should I
avoid you? We have known one an
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-
lions he awoke. afraid desperately of
betrayal.
"Pettingill may appeal to you" he
said. and his voice was serious, but
you might at 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! Eow can your" he inter-
jected.
She went on ruthlessly. If my con-
duct interferes with your highness'
pleasure I can easily Join the Prestons
In Paris"
Suddenly Brewster remembered that
Pettingill had spoken Of the Prestons
and expressed a iiseting wish that he
might be with them In the Latin quar-
ter. with Pettineill to follow, sup
pose" he said icily. 1T would certain
ly give you more privacy"
And Mrs. Dan more opportunities"
she retorted as he dropped back toward
the others.
The artist instantly took bis place.
The next moment be had CHALLENGED
hsr to race and they were flying
down the road In the moonlight. Brew.
ster, not to be outdone, was after them.
but 1t was only a moment. before his
horse SHE'D violently at something
black In the road. Then he saw Peg.
gy's horse galloping riderless. Instant
", with fear at his throat, he had dis
mounted and was at the girls side
Sic was not hurt, they found: only
bruised and dazed and somewhat lam.
ed. a girth had broken and her sad.
die turned. The crowd waited. silent
and somewhat awed, until the carriage
with the servants came up and she was
put into 1t. Mrs. Dams maid was there.
and Peggy insisted that she would