Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-05-19


the very same she laughed outright laughed
mischievously, cruelty.
what are you laughing at?" ragged the
man; at which Peggy only roared the more.
At last she stopped herself and said in the
most confiding way, Same old girl, same
old tricks! She's the dearest little mink of a
hirt in the world. Why, Brooks, went to
school at Greenmont with her for three
years, and l know her like a book-and a
mighty interesting one she is, too,
dyes" he replied, "she said she knew you
well, and just reeled off reams OF nice things
about you; so you ought to feel ashamed at
the way you have spoken. Why didn't you
ever tell us that you were president of your
class at school, and all that sort of thing?'
"Why, | never thought anything about
it. 1t was all SO foolish, anyway
"Oh, yes, l suppose So" said Brooks.
aAnd you come home and never say word;
but act just like an old maid, for all anybody
would know. Excuse me- he cried as the
girl rose II didn't mean that literally /"
But she was on her feet, as she retorted,
ooh, l do, do II Well, this old maid is
going to do something very unusual for an
Old maid She's going into the house, and
leave very i'll hammered man outside, even
if he is very good looking at times-though
this is not one of the times! So there!"
And an ardent flash of color dashed into the
hallway, and Brooks could hear the rustic of
silk as it swiftly mounted the stairs.
"Great Scott! They are funny things,
girls-beyond mel" he philosophically COM
mented. Rising from his place in the ham,
mock, he stretched his arms over his head,
yawned once, twice, and went in to dress tor
dinner.
WHEN Brooks mother had died during
L. IL ha1 nod fr live
with the Allistons, Mrs. Alliston being his
mothers oldest and dearest friend. He had
thus grown up with Margaret, treating her
as a comrade always They were great
chums, and were each others con6dants in
many things.
During the last few years he had seen less
of her, as he had been off at Harvard, and
she at school; but they had always picked
UP the link of friendship where it had last
lain.
That night when the evening meal was
over they repaired to the library. For
time talk was animated; but conversation
gradually seemed to drag, and the pauses
became more and more frequent.
Westbury was sitting with his chin resting
in the palms of his hands, his elbows on his
knees, when, under the spell of gazing too
long into the warm, red Goals, his thoughts
finally drifted back to the girl of the house
party, and when he spoke it was of her.
But really, Peggy, l am crazy about that
girl. Now listen, he said, as he picked UP
newspaper from the table, and turning to the
society column, read:
Mr. and Mrs. R. Lee Waters and family sail
the fifth on the Princess Irene. They will tour
the Continent in their French machine which
they have had built for the purpose; returning
in the fall when Mr.. Waters will resume charge
of his extensive interests in Virginia"
The man dropped the paper and went on.
@Now think it would be great scheme if
should take passage on that same steamer
Did you notice the name-Pr ncess Irene?
I'll bet anything she chose it because of her
name With a whole week and good
moon, possibly l might be successful in
melting the icy heart of that Eskimo girl
who knows? BY the way, did you see the
letter at my plate at dinner2'
"Perfumed, wasn't it? l wondered where
the violets were, as 1 didn't see any on the
table," Peggys eyes were twinkling as she
looked at Brooks.
swell, that was from Irene,-I mean Miss
Waters, telling me that she was sailing on
the fifth, and asking me in to dine with the
family at the Holland House; theater after
ward She writes that it will probably be
my last chance to look upon her as plain
Miss Waters, as SIR is coming back Countess
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