The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1907-03-04


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
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 a 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 faucied that she
might say 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 certain barrier. It
was not until sunny day when s1e
had accepted Barbara's invitation to
drive that things seemed to 80 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 simplified 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 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 finer"
Barbara's only response was to touch
her pony 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"-
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 I can't be-
lieve that either Monty or you have lost
in a week feeling that was SO deep
seated. l know Monty much too well
to think that he would change 30 cas-
fly" Peggy still lived largely in her
ideals. "And you are too fine thing
not to have suffered under this misun-
Outstanding. It seems as if 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 a few weeks ago
that you were engaged"
Il am sorry" answered Barbara,
''that it should have been talked about
SO much. Mr.. Brewster did ask me to
marry him, but never accepted. In
fact, 1t was only his persistence that
made me consider the matter at all l
did think about it. I confess that
rather liked him. But it was not long
before l found him out"
''What do you meanw And there was
q fash in Peggy's eyes. what has he
done?"
ITO 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.
Generosity has ceased to be vir-
tue, then?" she asked coldly.
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 a year."
'Yet they charitably help him to
spend his money, and 1 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 rle he told me it would be
impossibles for him to marry within
year. And don't you see that a year
may mako him an abject beggar?'
Naturally anything is preferable to
beggar,1 came in Peggy's clear, soft
voice.
Barbara hesitated only moment.
'sWell, you must admit, Miss Gray,
that it shows shameful lack Of char
acter. How could any girl be happy
with z MIN like that? And, after al,