The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-02-18
On the Edge.
By BARRY PRESTON.
Copyrighted. 1909, by Associated
Literary Press.

"You are very much in love with
him, dear, aren't your" Mrs. Brevort
inquired, not without certain doubt
full note In her tone. which seemed to
hint that sue h possibly might not be
the case.
The girl who stood by the window.
looking out Mt the uneven pavements
of the Roman street. turned slowly
and smiled. In that smile were weari-
ness and subtle understanding and pa
tent resignation.
YES, | am very much in love with
him. Aunt Elinor." she said in col
orless voice, as if she were saying the
words more because they were expect
ed of her than for any other reason.
Mrs. Ereyort smiled her open ap-
proval. The little frown of doubt
which for the past few moments had
wrinkled her brow suddenly disap-
peared. She crossed the room to the
girls side and threw an arm about
her.
"Of course. dearie," she cooed. your
happiness is my first. | might almost
say my only. concern. No one realizes
better than the portent of this step
that all your future. all your lifelong
happiness depends upon 1t. No one,
think you'll admit, too. is more averse
to the majority Of these marriages
than I am, but the duke Is so utterly
different from all the other eligible
men we have met. He is not seeking
your money, dear, for he Is immensely
wealthy in his own right. He IL an
upright, honest. splendid type Of an
moro like our own men in America,
think, than any one we have seen.
Isn't that your impression Of him."
YES" said the girl In the same col
orless voice.
Mrs. Brevorts pale face grew rather
eager. Somehow have felt from the
first that your destinies were linked.
yours and HIS" said she. but when
he talked with me this afternoon
gave him no definite answer let him
understand that the matter rested pri
marily with you; that 1t was your hap
piness that was at stake.
HE didn't seem quite to understand
my attitude at first. but he was per-
fectly charming about It, as be Is In
everything. He said | was to speak to
you and that he would call for me this
! afternoon at 4 In the road car, and
while we went out to the aqueduct
could give him my final decision. OF.
rather. yours"
,frI be- h.
window. She was looking distracted
~ at the passing crowd In the street
below Her brow was furrowed by 4
little disfiguring frown. Her lips were
set tightly together. Her eyes were
troubled.
$50 suppose am to give him IA
vorable answer, am | not?" Mrs Bre-
wort suggested tentatively.
The girl was silent The troubled
look In her eyes grew more pronounc-
ed. Her aunt watched her narrowly
and with growing Impotence.
Peggy. dear. I asked you a ques-
tion," she reminded her niece. us 1t a
favorable answer l am to give?'
The girl shrugged her dainty shout
ders. yes. yes; oh, yes!" she said
hurriedly. "It doesn't matter" Her
voice suddenly choked. Nothing mat
tersr'
Mrs. Brevort elevated her brows.
REALLY, Peggy she began chidingly.
But the girl turned swiftly and left
the room. waving back the Older wom-
an, who started to follow her. Some
thing like a smothered sob sounded as
the door closed behind her.
Mrs Brevort looked rather angry for
q moment. Then she recovered her
usual composure and smiled. But there
was something distinctly unpleasant in
that smile.
She glanced at the bronze clock tick.