The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-06-27

y
away off yonder somewhere, that she'd
let me live here if l deserved it. l
am a pauper, Peggy, and I'm afraid
I'LL may have to get down to drudg-
cry again. Will she turn me out! You
know. must have somewhere to live
Shall it be the poorhouse? Do you re-
member saying one day that I'd end
in the poorhouse?'
She was looking into his eyes, dread
ing what might be seen in them.
But there was no CLEAN Of insanity
there; there was 20 fever. Instead there
was the quiet smile Of the man who is
satisfied with himself and the world.
His voice bore traces Of emotion, but
Il was the voice of one who has perfect
control Of his wits.
"Is it all-gone Monty?" she asked,
almost in whisper.
Here is the residue Of my estate"
he said, opening his purse with steady
fingers. "I'm back to where left of a
year ago. The million is gone, and my
wings are clipped" Her face was
white; her heart was in the clutch Of
ice. How could he be so calm about. it
when for him she was suffering such
agony? Twice she: started to speak.
but her voice failed her. She turned
slowly and walked to the window,
keeping her back to the man who
smiled so sadly and yet so heartlessly.
Il didn't want the million, Peggy"
he went on. "You think as the rest
do, l know, that was fool to act as
did. II would be rank idiocy on my
part to blame you any more than the
others for thinking as you do. Ap-
pearances are against me; the proof is
overwhelming. A year ago was call
ed man; today they are stripping me
Of every claim to that distinction. The
world says 1 am fool, dolt, almost a
criminal. but no one believes I am a
man. Peggy, will you feel better to-
ward me If I tell you that am going
to begin life all over again? 1t will
be new Monty Brewster that starts
out again in few days, or, If you will,
It shall be the old one-the Monty you
once knew"
1.-THE old Monbw she murmrred
softly, dreamily. 1T would be good
Co see him-so much better than to SET
the Monty Of the last year"
and in spite Of all have done,
Peggy, you viii stand by me? You
won't desert me like the rest? You'll
be the same Peggy Of the other days.?
be cried, his calmness breaking down.
"How can you ask? Why should
you doubt me?"
For a moment they stood silent, each
looking into the heart of the other, each
seeing the beginning OF new day.
"Child"--his voice trembled danger
ously-"I--I wonder if you care enough
for me to-to''- But he could only
look the question.
"To start all over again with you?"
she whispered.
.'Yes-to tgust yourself to the prodi-
gal VINO has returned Without you,
child, all the rest would be as the
husks. Peggy, l want you-you! You
do love me. 1 can see it in your eyes;
can feel it in your presence"
"How long you have been in realiz-
ing it!w she said pensively as sne
stretched out her arms to him. For
many minutes ne held her close, find
ing a beautiful peace in the world
again.
-"How long have you really caredT
be asked in whisper.
always, Monty; all my life"
"And 1, too, child; all my life. I know
It now; I've known it for months. Otfs
what fool I was to have wasted all
this love Of yours and all this love CT
mine! But I'll not be prohigate> IL
love, Peggy. I'll not squander an atom
of it, dear, not as long as live"
"And we will build greater love.
Monty, as we build the new life togeth-
er. We never can be poor while we
have love as a treasure"
You won't mind being poor with
me?" he asked.
81 can't be poor with you," she said
simply.
"And I might have let all this escape
met! he cried fervently. Listen, Peg
~; we will start together, you as my
wife and my fortune. You shall be all
that is left to me Of the past. Will you
marry me the day after tomorrow?
Don't say No. dearest. want to begin
on that day. At ] in the morning. dear?
Don't you see how good the start viii,
be-"
And he pleaded 50 ardently and 80
earnestly that he won his point even
though it grew out Of a whim that she
could not then understand. She was
not to learn until afterward his object
in having the marriage take place on
the morning of Sept %, two hours be-
fore the time set for the turning over
Of the Sedgwick millions. II all went
well they would be Brewster's millions
before u o'clock, and Peggy's life OF
poverty would cover no more ~than