, 1905-12-13

grounds, which sIoped down to the
gentle lake, silenced criticism. For a
time it was supremely satisfying to do
nothing. Pettingill wandered about
as though he could not believe it was
real. He was lost in a kind of at
mosphere of ecstasy. To the others,
who took it more calmly, it was still
a sort of paradise. Those who were
happy found in it an ntensification of
happiness, and to those who were sad
It offered the tenderest opportunities
for melancholy. Mrs. Dan told Brew
ster that only a poet could have had
this inspiration. And Peggy added:
Anything after this would be an an
ticlimaX. Really, Monty, you would
better take us home"
Il feel like the boy who was shut in
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 a wonderful
peace. 1t was on a radiant afternoon.
when twelve of the crowd had started
out after tea for a long ride toward
Lugano, that Monty determined to call
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 it. Hour after hour
he had lain awake wondering where
be 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 be had noticed that whenever he
approached her she managed to be
talking with some one else. Two or
three times he was sure she had seen
his intention before she took refuge
with Mrs. Dan or Mary Valentine or
Pettingill. The thought of the last
name gave Monty q sudden thrill.
What if 1t were he who had come be-
tween them? 1t troubled him, but
there were moments when the idea
seemed impossible. AS they mounted
and started off the eXhilaration of the
ride made him hopeful. They were to
have dinner in the open air III the
shadow of an abbey ruin some miles
away, and the servants had been sent
ahead to prepare it. 1t went well. and
with Mrs. Dams help the dinner was
made gay. On the return Monty, who
was off 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, Monty?'
as he paused.
Every time l come near you, child,
you seem to have something else to do.
If l join the group you are In it Is the
signal for you to break away"
Nonsense, Monty! Why should 1
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 81
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! How can your" he inter-
jected.
She went on ruthlessly. "If my on
duct interferes with your highness'
pleasure l can easily join the Prestons
In Paris"
Suddenly Brewster remembered that
Pettingill had spoken of the Prestons
and expressed a fleeing wish hat he
might be with them in the Latin quar-
ter. with Pettingill to follow, l sup
pose" he said Jelly. at would certain
ly give you more privacy"
and Mrs. Dan more opportunities
she retorted as he dropped back toward
the others.
[To BE CONTINUED.
~"Simmered" Eggs.