Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1905-08-15

Jess GOtUlnCniS.
He had the accounts balanced up TO
the hour On tie loug sheet lay the
record Of his rUthltsSnsss. the ,f5itaph
CT Il million. In his pocket was exact
y ST3.">. This WAS to last him for
less than forty-cjght hours. and then
It would go to join the rest. 1t was
els plan to visit Grant n Ripley ON the
afternoon Of the 22d and to read the
report to them in anticipation of the
meeting With Jones on the day follow
ing
Just before noon. after his encounter
with Mrs. Gray. he came downstairs
and boldly. for the first time in days.
sought out Peggy. There was the Old
smile in his eyes and the Old heartneSs
III his voice when he came upon her
in the library She was not reading
| Books, pleasures and all the joys of
life had fed from her mind, and she
thought only Of the disaster that was
coming to the boy she had always
loved. His heart smote him AS he
looked into the deep. somber. fright
ened eyes. running over with love and
fear for him.
Peggy. do you think I'm worth any
thing more from your mother: 10 You
think she will ask me to live here any
lGngery' he asked steadily. taking her
hand III his. Hers was cold. his as hot
| as fire. You know what you said
away off yon,ler somewhere. that she'd
let me live here il l deserved it.
am pauper. Peggy. and I'm afraid
Il,
cry again. Will she turn me out! You
know l must have somewhere to live
Shall it be the poorhouSc? Do you re
member saying one day that Id enc
in the poorhouse?'
She was looking into his eyes, dreat-
ing what might be seen in them
But there was no gleam of insanity
there; there was no fever. Instead thee
was the quiet smile of the man who is
satisfied with himself and the world.
His voice bore traces of emotion. but
it was the voice Of one who has perfect
control of his wits.
els it all-gone. Monty?' she asked!
almost in a whisper.
Here is the residue Of my estate"
he said opening his purse with steady
fingers. I'm back to where left off
year ago. The million is gone, and my
wings are clipped" Her face was
white; her heart was in the clutch Of
ice. How could he be so calm about it
when for him she was suffering such
agony? Twice she started to speak
but her voice failed her She turned
slowly and walked to the window.
keeping her back to the man who
smiled so sadly and vet so heartlessly
II didn't want the million. Peggy"
he went OF. You think as the rest
Go. | know that | was a fool to act as
l Gid. 1t would he rank it,ioey on my
part To blame YOU any more than the
others for thinking as YOU do Ap
pcarances are against NE; the proof is
overwhelming. \ year ago l was call
ed man: today they are stripping me
of every claim to that distinction The
world says ] am a fool a dolt. almost a
criminal. but no one believes ana q
man. Peggy. will you feel better to-
ward me if ! tell YOU that I am gong
to begin life all over again: 1t VIII
be a new Monty Brewster t!5at starts
|
it shall be the old one-the Monty yon
! once knew"
1.-THE cid Monty?' she murmurcd
softly, dreamily, 1T would be good
to see him-so much better than to see
the Monty Of the last year.
And in spite Of all | have done
| Peggy. you will stand by me! You
won't desert me like the rest? You'll
be the same Peggy Of the other days:'
he cried, his c"Inness breaking down.
How can you ask? Why should
| you doubt me?"
! For a moment they stood silent, each
! looking into the heart Of the other, each
seeing the beginning of Il new day.
"Child"-his voice tremhlel danger
ously-"l-I wonder il you care enough |
! for me toto But he could only /!
look the question.
'"ro start all over again with your
she whispered.
"Yes-to trust yourself to the prodi
gal VINO has returned. Without you, |
child, all the rest would be as the |
nusks Peggy. want you-you! You
do love me. ! can see it in your eyes; !
can feel it in your presence"
GLOW long you have been in realz-
ing it, she said pensively as she
stretched out her arms to him. For
many minutes ne held her close, find
ing beautiful peace in the world
again.
"How long have you really caredT
he asked in Il whisper
ALWAYS Monty; all my life"
and !. too, child; all my life l know
it now; I've known it for months. Oh,
what a fool was to have wasted all
this love of yours and all this love OF
mine! But I'll not be profiigate ia !
love, Peggy. I'll not squander an atom
Of it, dear not as long as l live"
il laill fxraa or l03:G |