Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1905-12-29

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Peggy ttreW dolCn her cards md escaped.
de Leon, and there was much specula-
ton upon the chances for Il reconcilia-
ton. Monty, however, maintained a
strict silence on the subject and refus-
ed to satisfy the curiosity of his friends.
Mrs. Drew had brought down a small
crowd, including two pretty Kentucky
girls and young Chicago millionaire.
She lived well and sensibly and with
none of the extravaganza that charac-
terized the cottage. Yet it was in
evitable that Brewster's 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 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 IA girl like that, but
evidently Monty would not accept adj
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 a word.
There were times when she let herself
Cream 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 word to Miss Drew which
would straighten things out. but there
was something about her which held
her off. Even now that they were
thrown together more or less she could
not get beyond a certain barrier. 1t
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 quiet drive they were taking
through the woods and out along the
beach, and somehow in the open air
things simplitied 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, for with her Il 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 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 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? l know the
situation pretty well, and l can't be-
lieve that either Monty or you have lost
in week Il feeling that was 80 deep
seated | know Monty much too we'll
to think that he would change so cas-
lily" 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 Il have not
the least desire to be set straight
And she was never more serious.
"Rut it was only few weeks ago
that you were engaged"
Il an sorry" answered Barbara.
''that il should have been talked about
so much. Mr.. Brewster did ask me to
marry him. but | never accepted. In
fact, it was only his persistence that
made me consider the matter at all. |
did think about it. | confess that |
rather liked him. But 1t was not long
before l found him out"
what do you mean?" And there was
a flash 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 it
not?" Miss Drew said in her slow. cool
voice, and even Peggy's loyalty admit
ted some Justification In the criticism