Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1905-12-01
Pegoy thre,c dosrn her cards and escaped.

PegQy thretc dOtcn her cards aud escaped
de Leon, and there was much specula-
ton upon the chances for q reconcilia-
ton. Monty, however, maintained q
strict silence on the subject and refus-
ed to satisfy the curiosity Of his friends.
Mrs. Drew had brought down q small
crowd, including two pretty Kentucky
girls and a young Chicago millionaire.
She lived well and sensibly and with
none Of the extravaganza that charac-
terized the cottage. Yet 1t was in
evitable that Brewsters guests should
see hers and 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 estrangement.
Peggy Gray was in despair over Mon
tvs attitude. She had become con-
WINGED that behind his pride he was
cherishing a secret longing for Bar
bara. Yet she could not see how the
walls were to be broken down II 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 q 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 soy word to Miss Drew which
would straighten things out, but there
was something about her which held
her OF. Even now that they were
thrown together more or less she could
not get beyond q certain barrier. II
was not until a 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 a quiet drive they were taking
through the woods and out along the
beach, and somehow in the open air
things simpliaed themselves. Finally
In the softness and the idle warmth
even IN 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, 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.
1.-THE doctor says Monty may go out
driving tomorrow" she began. isn't
that fine?"
Barbara's only response was to touch
her pony a little too sharply with the
whip. Peggy went on as II 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 n contraction
Of the eyebrows. But Peggy was seized
with spirit Of defiance and plunged
recklessly ON.
what is the use, Miss Drew, Of TAX
ing an attitude like that? I know the
situation pretty we'll, and can't be-
lleve that either Monty or you have lost
in week feeling that was 80 deep
seated. I know Monty much too well
to think that he would change so cas-
fly" Peggy still lived largely in her
ideals. And you are too fine a thing
not to have suffered under this misun-
Outstanding. It seems as II 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.
'But 1t was only a few weeks ago
that you were engaged"