The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1907-04-24

HE'S NOT FIT TO SPEAK TO ANY DECENT
GIRL" ~
pray that you might get her. Unless
there is such one i hope you'll die q
bachelor"
Peggy, what are you sayingY Mrs.
Lester demanded, stopping stock still
in the sitting room door, with her tray
of cider and crullers You mustn't
mind her, Johnny" she went on. You
know she's little spitfire that doesn't
mean what she says"
''She does mean it-this Time" Magee
answered sulkily. But, Mrs. Lester, /
hope you won't let that keep you from
being my friend"
'Surely not" Mrs. Lester said, set,
ting down the tray. Johnny must be
wrought up when he refused her crul-
lers to say nothing of the cider. She
looked severely at her daughter. Peg
gy tossed her head. I'm friend of
Johnny" she said, with shadow of
smile. HE can't deny 1t. I've been
advising him for his own good"
"Goodby! When l take your advice
I'll let you know" said Johnny hufaly,
his hand on the door. Mrs. Lester sank
down, trembling all over.
You've done it now, Peggy she
said, "Old Miss EN- Magee will never.
never lend us the money to pay that
security debt of your fathers. Our
home will have to co.
mo, 1t won't" Peggy said stoutly.a
running to her mother as she spoke
I'VE won't ask Miss EN-. Instead, III,
go up to the city and see Uncle john"
ut will be no use. He said he'd new
er help us again when he made up the
shortage In the treasurer's Office" Mrs.
Lester said dejectedly. But your poor
pa will keep going security and having
it to pay every time"
NOW, now, mother! Don't fret or,
go over 1t ALL" Peggy entreated, Pm
bound to go to Uncle John. / don't be-
lieve he'll turn me away"
Somebody else thought 1t would be
hard work to turn Peggy away upon q
leaden morning two weeks later as she
sat in wait outside her rich uncle's
private Office. He was not a real I'M
cleonly sort Of stepbrother, who
had kept terms with his sister, al.
though be had no patience with her
easy going husband. 1t was five years
since he had been to the Lester farm.
Thus Peggy. grown up into bloomingI
young womanhood, was wholly strange
20 him. She had not sent In her name.
All her bravery had deserted her as.
soon as she stepped inside the glass
doors. Her cheeks burned under the
glance of the men at work there and
still more at the looks she got from
the other men. older ones, hnrrying In
and out She meant to wait until
Uncle Joe appeared, then lay hold on
him and prefer her humble petition.
Now she wished desperately that she
had not come. 1t Is question, indeed,
whether she would not have welcomed
Johnny Magee and his lovemaking as
deliverancc could he have happened
upon her then and there.
The minutes went leadenly, each one
seeming an hour. Presently she
heard twelve strokes Of the clock and
saw men begin to straggle out, putting
on greatcoats as they went. A grim
ming Office boy said to her:
IF you amt got a date with the
boss" nodding toward the inner Of
fee, better make one and come again.
See" Then she heard clerk say to
an inquirer over the telephone, MIR.
Hedding is out; won't be back till 8
O'Clock"
Are you sure" Peggy yentured.
touching the mans arm lightly. He
smiled and nodded half insolently.
Peggy turned from him. biting her lip.
As she went blindIy toward the door .