The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-03-11

woodlands came the calls of her favor
ite birds But her eyes were heavy
with unshed tears. Was II not bad
enough to listen day after day to the
gossip that emanated from her aunt's
shop without being forced into a part
nership with the gosslpers?
Ianguidly and tremblingly she
mounted the broad steps leading TO
Widow Burkett's porch That much
discussed lady met her at the door
Her quick glance detected the misery
in Peggy's face.
"Come in. child. You look utterly
worn out" she remarked, ushering
Peggy into the dim. cool parlor. what
have you there? Oh, such lovely lace
collars! ! must have one OF them. But
I'm afraid this sort OF work is pulling
you down. You're looking bad. Peggy"
The girl flushed guiltlly, and her
tongue chung to the roof Of her mouth.
Mrs. Burkett studied her curlously.
ut is a long walk from the village,
and as soon as Ned comes In well
have some lemonade. He makes IA
nous Lemonade"
Ned! That must be the awful man.
And she called him by his FIRST name
with such a proud light in her eyes.
A brisk step sounded in the entry. the
knob ratified, and Peggy turned dizzy.
Med, dear, this is little Peggy
smithers, who made that lovely lace
for me- Peggy, this is''-
Peggy had risen mechanically, and
as she caught the next words she
raised her eyes, swimming with tears
TO Mrs. Burkett's astonished gaze. De.
lIcious little chills were chasing up and
down her hot spine. oh. II only she
might rush from the house down the
shady street to the shop! But, no; that
man stood between her and the door.
Peggy had never seen just such a
MN before. He stood so very tall and
straight, laughed In such friendly fash
ion with his eyes and helped her to
tiny cakes and a drink, all cool, sweet
and sour, with the air Of Prince
Charming OF fairy book famel From
somewhere-far, far away-came the
trill Of riotously happy bird. Peggy
raised her eyes once more To Mrs. Bur
kett's face, and this time there were
no tears.
'why, you're looking better already.
Peggy. And now, II you won't have
any more cake or lemonade, ! shall
carry you of to my room. I want you
to see the beautiful silks and embroid.
cries Mr.. Lameroux has brought me
from Japan and China"
The gossips at Mrs smithers' shop
were becoming restless wien Peggy
came back. The girl fairly shivered
with suppressed excitement. and her
hand trembled as she stuck the hatpin
through her sailor.
"well. amt you never going to
spesk?' snapped her aunt. "Dldn't
You hear anything?"'L
"Yes: / heard lots. aunt" answered
the girl, trying hard to keep the exul.
tatlon from ringing In her voice. The
women leaned forward eagerly.
"IIis name is Mr.. Edward Lame.
roux'-
"Hoity toityw shifted Miss Lavlnia.
"Just like novel;" murmured Mrs.
Marsden.
"And he's Just home from China and
Japan, and he's going TO stay year
this time, and he's brought her the
most beautiful silks you ever saw, and
I'm going there TO sew on 'em for q
whole week. and she gave me the
queerest candy. II came from China
too, and It burns your mouth, but It's
good-and"-
'Tawzee, Peggy! why don't you get
down to factsT calculated Miss la,
vinia. 'Ts he going to marry herT'
"No" exclaimed Peggy in a fnal
burst of triumph. "He can't. He's her
twin brother, and he's In the navy, and
he's been gone five years-and'-
Mrs. Demming rose abruptly, saying
81 declare / forgot that batch OF
bread. Like as not It's all over my
clean floor"
Miss Lavinia, looking decidedly ag
grieved, departed in silence. One by
one her visitors left, and Mrs. Smith
ers stood alone, absently busting and
redusting her tiny showcase
And in Mrs. BurRett's parlor the
| willow was saying;
81 do feel 20 sorry for Peggy, Ned
dear, that believe I'll ask her aunt e
let me take her 10 Boston when we gC
back, She is so handy with her needle
know I could get her lots OF work.
"Well, II she's so handy why dom
you have her for your maidT
The widow laughed softly
"she'd simply ruin me. Ned. Th'
child adores me-"
II don't believe you could be ruined
and think what II would mean for that
child TO be taken away from thos'
harples. The life must be torture Il
her sensitive nature"
at may cost something to get rid Of
the aunt; but, then, believe Peggy
worth saving"
Regular.