Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-08-24


around It. and Pegsy, who he'd never
before been within its charmed pre-
eincts. quite held her breath ss she
entered a great drawingroOm fur
nlshed with barbaric splendcr.
Freddy Simpson. IN evening clothes
which made the other boys Sunday
best" look. as the most Independent Of
them secretly acknowledged. AXE
thirty cents" seemed 10 Peggy's
dszzled eyes a fairy pink and white
prettiness which had gained hir~ The
soubriquet OF "Pinky." was also OF
capriciousness. He responded to
Peggy's shy greeting with brusque In
difference and the next instant had
turned his back squarely upon her TO
resume a whispered conversation with
Evelyn Starr. who wore hame-color, 1
silk.
Notwithstanding his pink and white
softness OF aspect. Freddy had inherit
ed that parental capacity for riding
roughshod over the rights and feel
ings of others which had so notably
assisted his father IN his race for
riches; and II was soon obvious to all
beholders that for this evening, at
least. dark-haired Evelyn was the OBJ
iect of his pursuit. II was Evelyn TO
whom he directed all his words and
his smiles; Evelyn whom he called
out in all the games. Evelyn In a state
of giggling citation, who occupied the
seat of honor beside him at the sup
per table, and the wistful wonder in a
certain pair of big brown eyes moved
him not one jot
Peggy never lacked for cavaliers.
and she joined in all the merrymaking
with apparent Zest But through II
all the one drop of comfort In her bit
ter cup was the fact that Jack Trav-
ers. who never went TO parties except
under coercion. had early in the eve
retired to room which went by the
name OF 'Freddy's den;" there TO
amuse themselves with a marvellous
collection OF mechanical toys.
At supper time she shrank back az
far as possible behind a big palm and
glance of pair of blue eyes looking
out from a bronzed face.
But Jack was devoting himself to
his supper with the enthusiasm Of a
hungry. hearty boy. did not seem TO
notice her humble position in an OBJ
scure corner, ignored and deserted by
the fascinating young host, and as he
again withdrew to the attractions of
the den the girl drew long sigh of
relief:
Now he's safe for the rest Of the
evening"" she exuited. Il can stand
being sighted by Freddy II only Jack
doesn't know"
But Peggy was destined to undergo
an ordeal that made the other expert
ences of this trying night fade into In
significance; for in the midst of the
after-supper hilarity. Pinky Simpson.
taking up his station near a door. an
nounced loudly:
Mas gone to bed, an she's left a
big basket of favors that cost a lot
for me to give the girls. But Pm not
agoin' to give 'em to any but the
pretty girls. Them that call the
names of may go into the h'bry. The
baskets on the table. but nobody dast
to touch 1t till l come-I'm agoin' to
give the incest ones TO Evelyn. cause
she's my honey. Now. Evelyn. you go
first
Evelyn departed giggIlng in hys-
terical enjoyment Of the situation.
AN Maude Herrick. you may go-an'
you-an' you an you an you"
One by one the girls designated by
the young autocrat left the room. and
then, with a nonchalance which some
of his fathers business associates
would have had no difficulty in recog-
nizing. Freddy prepared to close the
door in the faces of the unfortunate
remainder.
The boys present. although some of
them were swelling with generous
wrath. seemed stunned into inactivity
by the brutal frankness Of their host.
while most of the girls. belonging to
the hopelessly plain sisterhood and
Injured from their cradles to such
"slings and arrows of outrageous for
tune" accepted their fate with indig-
nant resignation.
Not so Peggy. AS name after name
was called she began to culver with
suspense. Her throat grew dry. her
hands cold. and as she saw the door
of the library closing her pride broke
down altogether.
20 Freddy. Freddy-aren't you go
ing to let me in?" she walled like the
peri at the gate Of Paradise.
Nav" Pinky responded without
emotion. You amt pretty. Peggy
Porter-you got red hair"
Unheeding the sympathetic murnur
of coincidence that arose on all sides,
Peggy plunged blindly into the hall
and out of the door through a crowd
of grinning lackeys. She wouldn't
stay in that house another instant
She would run home alone. and If
some malefactor met and murdered
her on the way. why welcome, sweet
death. which would put an end to her
agony of shame that was consuming
her.
But instead Of malefactor Peggy
encountered at the entrance of the
grounds, the maid who had been sent
to escort her home. and Tim Goggin.
the policeman on that beat
Lord save usi What's ailin' the
child?" Norah exclaimed at Peggy's
wild, distraught appearance.
"Oh. Norah. take me homei" Peggy
moaned.