Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-03-12

"
ent She had curbed her curiosity until
they were on the way home, and then
she implored him to tell her what had
happened. The misery he had endured
was as nothing to this reckoning with
the woman who had the right to expect
fair treatment. His duty was clear,
but the strain had been heavy and 1t
was not easy to meet it.
Peggy, something terrible has nap
pened," he faltered, uncertain OF his
] course.
Tell me everything, Monty. You can
trust me to be brave"
when 1 asked you to marry me- ne
continued gravely, ut was with the
/ thought that I could give you every
thing tomorrow. I looked for tor-
tune. never meant that you should
marry a pauper."
81 don't understand. You tried TO
test my love for you?"
mo, child, not that. But l was
pledged not to speak Of the money l
expected, and l wanted you so much
before it came"
And it has failed you?" she answer
ed. II can't see that it changes things.
expected to marry a pauper, as you
call it. Do you think this could make
difference?'
But you don't understand, Peggy.
I haven't a penny in the world"
You hadn't a penny when l accept
ed you," she replied. Il am not afraid.
I believe in you, and if you love me l
shall not give you up"
"Dearest!" And the carriage was at
the door before another word was ut
tered. But Monty called to the coach
man to drive just once around the
block.
Good night, my darling" he said
when they reached home. sleep till
8 o'clock If you like. There is nothing
now in the way Of having the wedding
at 9 instead of at Z. In fact, l nave
reason for wanting my whole fortune
to come to me then. You will be all
that I have in the world, child, but l
am the happiest man alive
In his room the strain was relaxed
and Brewster faced the bitter reality.
Without undressing he threw himself
upon the lounge and wondered Wnat
the world held for him. 1t held Peg
gy at least, he thought, and she was
enough. But had he been fair to her?
Was he right in exacting sacrifice?
His tired brain whirled in the effort
to decide. Only one thing was clear
that he could not give her up. The fu-
ture grew black at the very thought OF
| II. With her, he could make things
60 but alone it was another matter.
He could take the plunge, and ne
would Justify it. His mind went traV-
cling back over the graceless year,
and he suddenly realized that he had
forfeited the confidence Of men who
were worth while. His course In
profiigacy would not be considered the
best training for business. The thought
nerved him to action. He must make
good. Peggy had faith in him. She
came to him when everything was
against him. and-he--would slave for
her, he would starve, he would do any
thing to prove that she was not mis-
taken in him. She at least should
know him for man.
Looking toward the window, he saw
the black, uneasy night give way to
the coming day. Haggard and faint'
he arose from the couch to watch the
approach Of the sun that Is Indifferent
to wealth and poverty, to gayety ana
detection. From far off In the gray
light there came the sound OF D
o'clock bell. A little later the shrleKs
of factory whistles were borne to his
ears, muff1ed by distance, but pregnant
with the importance Of new day OF
toll. They were calling him, with all
poor men, to the sweatshop and the
forge, to the great mill Of life. The
new era had begun, dawning bright and
clear to disperse the gloom in his
soul. Leaning against the easement
and wondering where he could earn the
first dollar for the Peggy Brewster that
was Peggy Gray, he rose to meet 1t
with a fine, unflinching fearlessness.
Before o'clock he was downstairs
and waiting. Joe Bragdon Joined him
bit later, followed by Gardner and
the minister. The DeMilles appeared
without an invitation, but they were
not denied. Mrs. Dan sagely shook her
head when told that Peggy was still
asleep and that the ceremony was on
till 9 o'clock.
Monty, are you going away?' asked
Dan, drawing him into corner.
Just a week in the hills" answered
Monty, suddenly remembering the gen.
erosity Of his attorneys.
Come in and see me as soon as you
return, old man." said DeMille, and
Monty knew that a position would be
open to him.
To Mrs. Dan fell the honor Of helping
Peggy dress. BY the time she had had
|
was pink with excitement and had
quite forgotten the anxiety which had
made the night an age.
She had never been prettier than on
her wedding morning. Her color was
rich, her eyes as clear as stars, her wo-
| mans body the picture Of grace and
health. Monty's heart leaped high with
love of her.
"The prettiest girl in New York, by
Jove!" gasped Dan DeMille, clutching
Bragdon by the arm.
And look at Monty! He's become
new man in the last five minutes,
added Joe. Look at the glow In his
cheeks! He's beginning to look as he
| did year ago."
A clock chimed the hour Of 9.
|
"The man who was here yesterday
is in the hall to see Mr.. Brewster" said
the maid few minutes after the min