Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-09-07

Peggy threW doUn her cards and escaped.
de Leon, and there was much specula-
ton upon the chances for a rcconcilia-
ton. Monty, however maintained a
strict silence on the subject and ref,ls-
ed to satisfy the curiosity Of his friends
Mrs. Drew had brought down small
crowd. including two pretty Kentucky
girls and young Chicago millionaire.
She lived well and sensibly and with
none Of the extravaganza that charge
terized the cottage Yet IL was in
evitable that BrVstcrs guests should
see hers AMI join some of their riding
parties. Monty pleaded that he was
not well enough to be in these excur
sions. but neither he nor Barbara cared
to overemphasize the estrangemert.
Peggy Gray was in despair over Mon
tvs attitude. She had become con
WINGED that behind his pride he was
cherishing secret longing for Bar
bara. Yet she could not see how the
walls were to be broken down if he
maintained this icy reserve. She was
sure that the masterful tone was the
evidently Monty would not accept adj
vice. That he was mistaken about Bar
bara's feeling she did not doubt for II
moment. and she saw things going
hopeieasiy wrong for want Of Il word
There were times when she let herself
dream Of possibilities. hut they always
ended by seeming too impossible. She
Boa, 81,
Of her vision seem simple She care1
too much to hc sure Of anything.
At moments she fancied that she
might say word to Miss Drew which
would straichten things out. but there
WINS something about her which held
her of oven now that they were
thrown together more or less she could
not get beyond certain barrier. 1t
was not until sunny day when she
had accepted Barbara's invitation tu
drive that things seemed to 60 more
easily. For tn" first time she felt the
charm Of the girl and for the first time
barbara seemed unrescrvedly friendly
1t WAS a quiet drive they We're taking
| through the woods and ont along the
| beach. and somehow in the open all
| things sinplificd 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. I,
was incyitable that Peggy should bring
it in, for 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.
The doctor says Monty may 20 out
| driving tomorrow" she began. "Tsn't
that hnc:"
| Rarhara's only response was to toucl
her pory Il little too sharply with the
whip. Peggy went on as IL uncon
scious OF the challenge.
"IIo has been bored to death, pool
fellow. in the house oil this time. ana
"Miss Gray. please do not mention
Mr. Brcwstcr's name to me again." in
tcrruptcd Barbara. with contraction
Of the eyebrows. But Peggy was scizet
with n spirit Of defiance and PLUNGED
recklessly on.
"W'hat Is the use, Miss Drew, Of tax
ing an attitude like that? l know thu
situation pretty well, and can't BE
love that either Monty or you have los
In n week n feeling that was SO deel
seated. know Monty much too wei
to think that nc would change 80 cas-
iiy." Peggy still lived largely in he
ideals. And you are too fine thni
not to have suffered under this misun
Outstanding. 1t seems as II a yer!
small word would set you boil
straight"
Barbara drew herself up and KEEP
her eyes ON the road, which lay whit
and cleaning in the sun. II have no
the least desire to be set straight.
And she was never more serious.
"Rut It was only few weeks az
that you were engaged"
II am sorry" answered Barbara
that II should have been talked abou
90 much. Mr.. Brewster did ask me Il
marry him. but never accepted. II
fact. 1t was only his persistence tina
made me consider the matter Mt all.
did think about II. ] confess that