Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-09-28

keeping her back to the man who
smiled 80 sadly ard vet 40 henrtlcssly.
~ didn't want the million. Peggy"
ne went on. You think as the rest
do. I know. that was a fool TO act as
I did. 1t would he rank idocy on my
part to blame you amy more than the
others for thinking as you do. Ap-
pcarances arc against mo: the proof Is
overwhelming. 4 year ago was call
ed a man: today they are stripping me
Of every claim TO that distinction. The
world says am a fool, q dolt. almost
criminal. but no one believes am a
man. Peggy. will you feel better TO-
ward me If ! tell yon that am going
to begin life all over again? II will
be new Monty Brewster that starts
out again in few days. or. II you will.
IL shall be the old one--the Monty you
once knew"
1.-THE old Monty:' she murmurcd
softly. dreamily. 1T would bc good
to see him so much better than to see
the Monty Of the last yenr."
And in spite Of all have done.
Peggy, you will stand Ivy me? You
won't desert NE like the rest? You'll
he the same Peggy Of tho other days"
he cried, his cal,nness breaking down.
How can yeu 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 new day.
"Child"-his voice trembled danger
ously-"I-I wonder II you care enough
for me toto But he could only
look the question.
"T0Itart all over again with your
she s.isp-red.
"Yes-to trus. yourself to the prodi-
gal who has returned. Without you.
child, all tho rest would hc as the
husks. Peggy. I want you-you. You
do love me. I can see it in your eyes:
can feel it in your presence"
"uow long you have been in realiz-
ing ~" she said pensively as she
| stretched out her arms to him. For
many minutes he held her close. flnd-
ing beautiful peace in the world
| again.
How long have you really carcd!
he asked in n whisper.
! always. Monty: all my life"
| "And I, too. child; all my life. know
| II 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 Iii not be profiigate in
love. Peggy I'll not sauander an atom
| Of 1t. dear, not Az long as live"
And we viii, build greater love.
MONTY. az we build the new life tcgeth-
er. We never can he poor while we
have love as a treasure
You won't mind being poor with
me-? he asked.
II can't he poor with you" she said
simply.
And / might have let all this escape
me-" lie cried fervcntly. Listen. Peg
gy; we will start together. YOU as my
wife and my fortune. You shall; be all
that is left TO mo Of the pas, Will yoH
marry me the day after tomorrow
Don't say NO dearest. want tc EegiE
on that day. At I in the morning, dear:
Don't you see how good the start will
be-"
And he pleaded 20 ardently and so
earnestly that he won his point even
though it grew out Of a whlm that she
could not then understood. She was
not to learn until aftcrward his object
In having tie marriage take place on
the morning Of Sept. %. two hours be
fore the time set for the turning over
Of the Scdgwick millions. II all went
we'll they would he Rrewster's millions
before IL O'clock. AMI Feggy's life OF
poverty would cover no more thar
three hours Ct time. She believed hiu
worth q lifetime Of poverty. So they
would start the now life with hut one
possessiOn--love.
Peggy rcbelled against his desire tC
spend the $40 that still remained. hui
he was firm in his determination. The,
would dine and drive together and set
all Of the cid life that was left--on SO
Then on the next day they would star
all over again. There was one rude mo
ment Of dismay when It occurred Il
him that Peggy might be considered
an asset" II she became his wife be
fore 8 o'clock But he realized at onc'
that it was only dema nded Of him tina
he be penniless md that he possess M
object that had been acquired through
the medium Of Edwin Peter Brewster
money. Surely this wife who was no
to come to him until his last dollar wa
gone could not he the product OF an oil
mans legacy. But so careful Yves he II
regard to the transaction that he decid
ed TO borrow meney OF Joe Braglon Il
buy the license and to pay the minis
ter's fee. Not only would he be PENN
less on the day OF settlement. but h
would be in debt. SO changed was TIL
| | color Of the world 10 him now that eve
the failure to win sedgwick's million
could not crush out the new life an,
the new Joy that had come to him wit
! the winning Of Peggy Gray.
! CHAPTER XXI.
. - DON after noon on the pod O
September Monty folded his RI
port to Swearengen Jones, stuc
- 1t into his pocket and sallic
forth. A parcel delivery wagon ha
carried Off a mysterious bundle a fe,
minutes before. Mrs. Gray could no
, conceal her wonder. hut Brewster's ar