Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1905-10-12

parties. Monty PLEADED tnat ne was
not well enough to be in these excur-
sions, but neither he nor Barbara cared
to overemphasize the estrangement.
Peggy Gray was in despair over Mon
tvs attitude. She had become con-
vinced that behind his pride be was
cherishing a secret longing for Bar
bara. Yet she could not see how the
walls were to be broken down IL he
maintained this icy reserve. She was
sure that the masterful tone was the
one to win with girl like that, but
evidently Monty would not accept ad
vice. That he was mistaken about Bar
bara's feeling she did not doubt for a
moment. and she saw things going
hopelessly wrong for want of word.
There were times when she let herself
dream Of possibilities, but they always
ended by seeming too impossible. She
cared too much to make the attainment
Of her vision seem simple. She cared
too much to be sure Of anything.
At moments she fancied that she
might say a word to Miss Drew which
would straighten things out. but there
was something about her which held
her on. Even now that they were
thrown together more or less she could
not get beyond a certain barrier. 1t
was not until sunny day when she
had accepted Barbara's invitation to
drive that things seemed to go more
easily. For the first time she felt the
charm of the girl, and for the first time
Barbara seemed unreservedly friendly.
1t was quiet drive they were taking
through the woods and out along the
beach, and somehow in the open air
things simplified themselves. Finally
In the softness and the idle warmth
even an allusion to Monty, whose name
usually meant an embarrassing change
Of subject, began to seem possible. 1t
was inevitable that Peggy should bring
1t in, Tor with her a question Of tact
was never allowed to dominate when
things of moment were at stake. She
covered before the plunge, but she
took it unafraid.
1.-THE doctor says Monty may go out
driving tomorrow" she began. isn't
that flne"
Barbara's only response was to touch
her pony little too sharply with the
whip. Peggy went on as If uncon-
scious of the challenge.
"He has been bored to death, poor
fellow. In the house all this time, and
'Miss Gray, please do not mention
Mr.. Brewster's name to me again. in
terrupted Barbara, with a contraction
Of the eyebrows. But Peggy was seized |
with a spirit of defiance and plunged |
recklessly on.
"What is the use, Miss Drew, of TAX
ing an attitude like thatf l know the
situation pretty well, and I can't be-
lieve that either Monty or you have lost |
In week feeling that was so deep !
seated. know Monty much too well |
to think that he would change so cas- |
ily." Peggy still lived largely In her
ideals. And you are too fine thing |
not to have suffered under this misun- |
Outstanding. 1t seems as if a very !
small word would set you both
straight"
Barbara drew herself up and kept |
her eyes on the road, which lay white !
and cleaning in the sun. II have not |
the least desire to be set straight"
And she was never more serious.
"Rut 1t was only a few weeks ago |
that Won were engaged"
81 am sorry" answered Barbara,
"that it should have been talked about |
so much. Mr.. Brewster did ask me to |
marry him, but never accepted. In |
fact, II was only his persistence that
made me consider the matter at all. /
did think about It, I confess that
rather liked him. But it was not long |
before found him out"
"what do you mean?" And there was
a fash in Peggy's eyes. What has he
done?"
"To my certain knowledge he has |
spent more than 100000 since last |
September. That is something, is II |
notY' Miss Drew said In her slow. cool |
voice. and even Peggy's loyalty admit
ted some justification in the criticism.
Generosity has ceased to be vir-
tue, them she asked coldly.
"Generosityv' exclaimed Barbara |
sharply. Its sheer idiocy. Haven't |
you heard the things people are say
Ing? They are calling him fool, and
In the clubs they are betting that he
will be pauper within year"
"Yet they charitably help him to
spend his money, and have noticed
that even worldly mammas find him
eligible" The comment was not with
out It's caustic side.
THAT was months ago, my dear"
protested Barbara calmly. when he
spoke to me he told me 1t would be
impossible for him to marry within q
year. And don't you see that year
may make him an abject beggar?"
Naturally anything Is preferable to
q beggar.' came In Peggy's clear. soft
voice.
Barbara hesltated only moment.
swell. you must admit, Miss Gray,
that 1t shows q shameful lack Of char
acter. How could any girl be happy
with a man like thatl And, after all.
one must look out for ones own fate
Undoubtedly" replied Peggy. but
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