The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-02-18

IneN were all directed III the 81 Ine
hand-Peggy's hand. And they were
all addressed to Mr.. William Hale, at
some outlandish Spanish sounding
town In Ecuador, South America.
Mrs. Brevort smiled again. 1t had
cost her pretty penny to circumvent
the mailing of those letters. but there
are many itching palms in Rome, and
what good money will not accomplish,
If it Is judiciously placed. is not worth
accomplishing.
An open fire burned duly in the
crate beneath the mantel. Mrs. Bre-
wort stepped briskly over to 1t and fed
the bundle of letters to the flames.
She watched grimly until there was
nothing left Of them save few gray
white ashes.
Then from another draw she took
out another bundle of letters. They
were thick letters, all of them. The
sprawlins superscriptions were all for
Peggy. and they were postmarked with
the name of the Spanish town In Ecua-
dor.
Other itching Roman palms had been
soothed In the conventional way TO
bring those epistles into Mrs. Brevort's
possession.
These, too, she consigned to the
CRATE, watched them burn and then
arrayed herself for her appointment
with the duke.
At precisely 4 he came in the road
car. She descended the stairs. greeted
him effusively, and together they whirl-
ed off toward the aqueduct.
Scarcely had Mrs. Brevort taken her
departure when there came to the ho-
tel brisk, broad shouldered young
man. Enthusiastically he was American.
and unmistakably he had been endur-
ing recently all the discomforts Of
sentimental travel when such travel
necessitates haste
He glanced at the register, saw
thereon a certain name and heaved a
searched his pockets for his cardcase
the owner of the name that had caus-
ed his recent sigh came tripping down
the stairs arrayed for walk through
the autumn streets, and, turning
around. the young man stood staring
open mouthed at Peggy in all her
glory.
The girls eyes, too. lighted suddenly.
She gave a little gasp Of surprise. In
an instant the young man was beside
her, and both her hands were In his
own
Peggy, Peggy" he was saying
breathlessly.
Billy" she was saying In a low,
shaken voice, where on earth did you
come fromr
In a masterful manner he led her to
the street. Once outside they both be-
gan talking as fast as they could.
mot word from you all this time"
he declared, mot one single, solitary
word. l couldn't stand 1t any longer.
left the bridge building down there
and my chances for eternal fame and
fortune with it, all in the hands OF
johnson, and came over here TO learn
the worst | even had to cable north
to Daniels to find out where you were
BILLY. what do you mean| she
asked In unbelief. II have written
and written and never had one single
answer from you"
"Eh? What's thls?" said he. I've
written every day of my life. You
haven't got them?' His eyes grew
suddenly daI& Where's that precious
aunt of yours"
And suddenly Peggy remembered in
the midst of her new found happiness
lust where her aunt was.
"Oh, heavens, Billy" she said. why
didn't you come beforeY'
"Why?"
"Why?" she repeated. why, indeed!
Aunt Elinor Is out motoring this after
noon with the Duke of Selena. She
has gone with him to tell him III mar
nv him | thought thoughtful
you were sient-when / didn't hear
from you
His teeth came together with n click.
He faced her there in the Roman
street, with the Roman sunshine flood
Ing It with mellow warmth.
"To tell him you'll marry him. he
repeated. Peggy, you're not going to,
are your
She looked at him archly. TITS the
only offer I've had recently" she said
In mocking happiness.
You'll have another right away"
said he, with determination. zone that
dare you TO turn down." he added.
with a boyish laugh.
But the duke" she said breathless-
ly. Pm probably engaged to him by
this time. Aunt Elinor wastes no
time"
I'm attend to the duke and your
aunt, too" said he grimly. What
time will they returnT
Almost any minute now" said she.
"Come, let's 60 back. We mustn't miss
them, must we, BillyT