The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1905-05-10


There was long pause, and he
wondered what she was doing. He
dared not move--to do so now would be
20 court discovery Suddenly a quick
exclamation told him that She had seen
the letter, and he looked out cautiously
from behind the screen recgy was
standing at the writing table with the
letter I'm her hand. less than three feet
away. The subdued aprocot light of
the shaded cluster above fell about
her like q halo. and Bob. gazing at his
wife from the shadow of the screen,
thought he had never seen her look so
beautiful.
When she had read the letter through
she stood for moments gazing fizedly
| before hG. The dying cmbers clicked
| softly in the CRATE and clock striking
in the distance sounded, distinct and
near In the utter stiffness Of the room.
Then clearly, unmistakably, her words
broke the silence
"Gone-gone forever You will soon
be freeY Freer She raised her head
suddenly. and the light beating down
upon her upturned face showed that
she smiled eXultantly. "Free!-free-
fraew her voice rang through the room.
"Free 10 love,-free to be loved!-Oh,
| Tom, Tom-at last-at last" The next
instant she sprang backward with a
smothered scream. for grip Of steel
had closed about her wrist and an
asheu wace was looking into hers.
| "BObr she gusped
He drew her toward him slowly,
steadily. until she could feel his quick,
hot breath upon her cheek. His face
was white, his eyes We're blazing, and
great drops of moisture glistened upon
| his forehead.
For some moments he stood before
her in silence, but when at length he
spake his voice sounded strangely un-
| like his own.
80 you thought l had gone, did
you?" he whispered hoarsely. Peggy
had stood motionless like a figure
carved in stone. with her gaze fixed
steadily upon him. but now her face
melted suddenly into a ripping smile,
and the old light of mischief that he
knew so well came dancing back into
her eyes.
mo. Bob" she answered, 81 knew
you had not''-wlth quick movement
she held out her hands Come" she
added, laughing. hadn't we better
cry qults:'
Astonishment for the moment held
him speechless. Peggy held a little
white-gloved hand upon his arm. MY
dear boy" she said, "thc next time you
want to do this sort of thing | should
suggest that you don't stand quite
50 near a mirror. II is apt to spoi!
the result"
She nodded in the direction of a tall
oak bookcase. a quick glance was suf-
fclent to show that the two strips Of
mirror which served as panels to the
doors of the case, not only reflected
the screen and all behind it, but most
of the room as well.
Without waiting for him to speak,
Peggy continued sweetly: "Of course
l saw you the moment | entered the
room. | knew you were playing some
sort of joke, though it was not until
read the latter that understood it all
properly. But, Boo she continued
more seriously, sit was a thoughtless
trick to play, and it might have ended
very differently had l not seen you in
the first place. The idea of paying you
back in your own coin by pretending
to take it all seriously struck me in a
moment, and l shall always regard
your present dreadful appearance,
scared appearance. Bob, as a warm
tribute to my histrlonic powers-hith-
erto unrevealed" She laughed gaily,
and Bob Wharton. with a sudden sense
Of immense relief, caught her by the
shoulders and laughed too.
Peggy, you are a little"
Hush; but tell me whatever made
you try to frighten me like thatt"
"Oh, l don't know" he answered
vaguely. You have been neglectinS
me rather lot lately, ana l meant
it to be a sort of lesson. l suppose"
You silly boy. have only neglected
you because you are always putting
your work before me, and l wanted to
show you what it felt like"
He put his arm about her. Forgive
me, little girl he said. 1T has been
my own fault all along, but things
Will be different now"
There was something suspiclously
like tears in her eyes as she turned up
her face to his.
kiss me- she whispered, softly.
And he did.-The American Queen.