The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-05-16

not get beyond certain barrier. It
was not until sunny day when she
had accepted Barbara's invitation to
drive that things seemed to go more
easily. Fer the first time she felt the
charm of the girl, and for the first time
Barbara seemed unreservedly friendly.
It was a quiet drive. they were taking
through the woods and out along the
beach, and somehow in the open air
things simplifed 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
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 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 if uncon-
scious Of the challenge.
"He has been bored to death, poor
fellow, in the house all this time, and'-
..'A1iss Gray, please do not mention
Mr.. Brewster's name to me again" in
terrupted Barbara. with a 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 well, and I can't be-
lieve that either Monty or you have lost
in a week a feeling that was so deep
seated. know Monty much too we'll
to think that he would change so cas-
ily." Peggy still lived largely in her
ideals. "And you are too fine thing
not to have suffered under this mfsun-
.derstanding. 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.
"But it was only few weeks ago
that you were engaged"
81 am sorry" answered Barbara,
chat it 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 l
did think about it. I confess that I
rather liked him. But 1t was not long
before found him out"
"What do you mean?" And there was
q fash 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. anG even fesgys loyalty admit
ted some Justification IA the criticism
Generosity has ceased to De a. Tir-
tue. them" she asked coidly.
~Generosity"' exclaimed Barbara
sharply. '.Its sheer idiocy. haven't
you heard the things people are say
ing? They are calling him fool, and
in the clubs they are betting that he
will be pauper within year"
"Yet they charitably help him to
spend his money, and I have noticed
that even worldly mammas find him
eligible" The comment was not with
out its caustic side.
''That was months ago, my DEAR"
protested Barbara calmly. "When he
spoke to me he told me it would be
impossible for him to marry within a
year. And don't you see that a year
may make him an abject beggar?"
Naturally anything is preferable to
a beggar," came in Peggy's clear, soft
voice.
Barbara hesitated only moment
'Well, you must admit, Miss Gray,
that it shows shameful lack Of char
acter. How could any girl be happy
with man like that? And, after all,
one must look out for ones own fate"
Undoubtedly" replied Peggy, but
many thoughts were dashing through
her brain.
Shall we turn back to the cottage"
she said after an awkward silence
"You certainly don't approve Of Mr..
Brewster's conduct?' Barbara did not
like to be placed In the wrong and felt
that she must endeavor to justify her
SELF 'He is the most reckless Of
spendthrifts, we know, and he prob
ably INDUCES in even less respectable
excitement"
Peggy was not tall, but she carried
her head at this moment as though she
were In the habit Of looking down on
the world.
aren't you going a little too far,
Miss Drew?' she asked placidly.
"1t Is not only New York that laughs
over his Quixotic transactions" Bar
bara persisted. "Mr. Hampton, our
guest from Chicago, says the stories
are worse out there than they are in
the east"
sIt Is q pitv that Monty's illness