Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-02-19

ara or the estate anu HIS luhuiiSidpi
assistants was very Italian and full of
color. A break in their monotony was
welcome.
The loveliness Of the villa and its
grounds, which sloped down to the
gentle lake, silenced criticism. For a
time 1t was supremely satisfying to do
nothing. Pettingill wandered about as
though he could not believe it was
real. He was lost in kind Of atmos-
phere of ecstasy. To the others, who
took 1t more calmly, it was still sort
of paradise. Those who were happy
found in it an intensification Of happi-
ness, and to those who were sad 1t Of
fered the tenderest opportunities for
melancholy. Mrs. Dan told Brewster
that only a poet could have had this
inspiration. And Peggy added: ANY
thing after this would be an anticlimax.
Really, Monty, you would better take
us home"
'I feel like the boy who was shut in
closet for punishment and found it
the place where they kept the jam"
said Subway. 1T Is almost as good
as owning Central park"
The stables were well equipped, and
the days wore on in a wonderful
peace. 1t was on a radiant afternoon,
when twelve Of the crowd had started
out after tea for long ride toward
Lugano, that Monty determined to call
Peggy Gray to account. He was GER
tain that she had deliberately avoided
him for days and weeks, and he could
find no reason for 1t. Hour after hour
he had lain awake wondering where
he had failed her, but the conclusion
of one moment was rejected the next
The Monte Carlo episode seemed the
most plausible cause, yet even before
that he had noticed that whenever he
approached her she managed to be
talking with some one else. Two or
three times he was sure she had seen
his intention before she took refuge
with Mrs. Dan or Mary Valentine or
Pettinglll. The thought Of the last
named gave Monty a sudden thrill.
What If 1t were he who had come be-
tween them? 1t troubled him, but
there were moments when the idea
seemed impossible. AS they mounted
and started off the exhilaration Of the
ride made him hopeful. They were to
have dinner in the open air in the
shadow Of an abbey ruin some miles
away, and the servants had been sent
ahead to prepare it. 1t went we'll, and
with Mrs. Dams help the dinner was
made gay. On the return Monty, who
was off last, spurred up his horse to
join Peggy. She seemed eager to be
with the rest, and he lost no time with
a preamble.
do you know, Peggy" he began,
something seems to be wrong, and 1
am wondering what 1t is"
why, what do you mean, Monty?"
as he paused.
Every time ! come near you, child,
you seem to have something else to do.
II I join the group you are in 1t Is
the signal for you to break away"
Nonsense, Monty! Why should /
avoid you? We have known one an
other much too long for that" But he
thought he detected some contradiction
in her eyes, and he was right. The girl
was afraid Of him, afraid Of the sensa-
tions he awoke, afraid desperately Of
betrayal.
'Pettingill may appeal to you," he
said, and his voice was serious, but
you might at least be courteous to me-"
How absurd you are, Monty Brew
ster." The girl grew hot. You needn't
think that your million gives you the
privilege Of dictation to all Of your
guests"
Peggy! How can you?" he inter-
jected.
She went on ruthlessly. IF my con-
duct interferes with your highness'
pleasure I can easily join the Prestons
in Paris"
Suddenly Brewster remembered that
Pettingill had spoken Of the Prestons
and expressed fleeting wish that he
might be with them in the Latin quar-
ter. with Pettingill to follow, 1 sup
pose," he said icily. ut would certain
ly give you more privacy"
And Mrs. Dan more opportunities"
she retorted as he dropped back toward
the others.
The artist instantly took his place.
The next moment he had challenged
her to a race and they were flying down
the road in the moonlight. Brewster,
not to be outdone, was after them, but
1t was only moment before his horse
shied violently at something black in
the road. Then he saw Peggys horse
galloping riderless. Instantly, with
fear at his throat, he had dismounted
and was at the girls side. She was
not hurt, they found; only bruised and
dazed and somewhat famed. A girth
had broken and her saddle turned.
The crowd waited, silent and some-
what awed, until the carriage with the
servants came up and she was put
into it. Mrs. Dams maid was there, and
Peggy insisted that she would have
no .one else But as Monty helped her
in he had whispered: You won't go,
child, will you? How could things go
on here?'
CHAPTER XXI.
The peacefulness of fairyland was
something which Brewster could not
\ afford to continue, and with Bertier he