The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-01-05
THE ROSE,
BY MARION PORTER.
Peggy gave a wall of desDair.

had it only a few moments ago.
Whatever shall I do?"
I looked at the topaz which had
been my birthday gift, but it was
there, hanging On its thread of chain
over her heart. Peggy had seemed
delighted when I gave her that topaz,
and had said it was the loveliest
thing thing she owned. But it APP
peared from her tone that there was
something of more value at any rate.
How could I have been so care
less?" gasped Peggy, tearfully.
eff you'd only tell me-" I began,
but I left off, because it is obviously
foolish to talk to ones self, and Peg
gy had rushed away to the conserva-
tory where we had been sitting out
the last dance. I stood there smiling
a little at her impetuosity and signing
a little-because-I don't know why
I sighed, exactly. Possibly it was be-
cause I am only an old fellow and
am apt to have a hard time keeping
pace with Peggy. Or possibly be-
aus at precisely this moment I saw
Evelyn PARIS bright hair cleaning
against the dark greenery at the
other side of the room. T think I am
always seeing that bronze head of
hers. I saw it last night in my
dreams-and the night beforehand
many nights before that. And that
week when I went to the mountains
for a quiet time, and found her and
her mother there, and we walked and
drove together during the whole long
seven days-that week still lives in
my memory. But there is Peggy
pretty Peggy-who has been my
charge since she was in pinafores and
who is so sweet and a%ffectionate and
contentcd with her middle-aged
fiaace. And, of course, 1 ap happy
enough.
Yet, as , fingered i moment, ex-
pecting my little Peggy to join me, I
looked across at the greenery and
wondered il it would be any harm if
I went to speak to Evelyn for only a
moment. I saw 4 ros lying almost
at my feet, as I stood h%esitating. and
7 picked It up sentimentally enough,
llkening 1t to a cheek that had been
many times too near mine for my en-
tire peace of mind. And I put it gent
iy into my coat, although, it must be
owned, that cheek did not belong to
Peggy.
Young Jack Hammond caught me
at it. I felt instantly guilty and
ashamed. for his face was as hard as
If he had read my thoughts.
, "G-good> evening"" I said, hastily.
He made no answer at first, but
stood looking at me as though he
wished to speak, but the words would
not come.
whats the natter" I said.
"Nothing's the matter" he re-
torted; 81 was only waiting-look-
ing"
Precisely my condition." 7 said as
tightly as possible. Peggy has left
4hC llClS IL udSu L SOnC kOl nlC. i
am waiting-and looking"
$50 I should have imagined" he
said. unpleasantly. I felt myself get
ting red.
1--WE been waiting so long that !
think she's forgotten where she's left
me-" I went on; land. at any rate,
I'm going along"
I moved on, anxious to be rid OF
his searching eyes. And my feet car
ried me as straight as possible tc
where the bright head against the
greenery was.
She turned awayfromthe man with
whom she was ~conversing when I ap,
preached and I saw her pretty flush
of recognition and felt an answering
flush creeping up my own cheek.
wonder why it is that Evelyn Parr
who is no older than Peggy, seems Sc
much more in sympathy with a mar
Of my age. Why Peggy seems NJ
older to me than when she used t
fall asleep in my lap years ago. Blu
Evelyn
4 81 am going to get you an ice"
said to her, "and We will go into tn
corner and cat it. I want to talk t.
you"
She turned her sweet eyes gravel,
up to mine and shook her head.
Where is Peggy" she asked me.
Peggy went and left me-" I as
sured her; cts all right. She'l
come around when she wants m
again"
don't think that's right" sal
Evelyn, gently. "She won't know
where you are. She may be angry o
hurt when she finds you haven
waited for her. 1 Think shout
lfkep-she hesitated without smilin
1T think I would feel badly if 20
didn't wait-if If you"
I am sorry. But Peggy shout
have been looking out for me, I sur
nose. Men are queer things anyway
7r't any more have stoppe
e "orld have stifed tn
When