Smyrna times., 1912-05-22

MT. Druc6.
Their departure was made in high
spirits. The short distance was
traversed in good time, and Adams
left the girls at q milliner's with
the understanding that he would
meet them in two hours at a drug
store.
He visited one or two shops to
make a few purchases on his own
account. Then, as considerable
time remained, he went to the
library, where, in the reading room,
his eyes fell at once upon Rernice
Shaw.
Il thought you were buying friIls
and furbelows with Peggy" he
remarked, in surprise. sitting down
in a chair beside her. 81 dropped
in tn read an article a friend of
mine has in this magazine. l want
to tell him I've read it when he asks
me-"
Miss Shaw appeared disturbed by
his presence. turning the leaves of
her magazine without reading
them. Adams glanced over the
articles in question and retired in
discounted frame of mind as he
had hoped for a quiet little talk
with Bernice.
AS he lounged on the beach be-
hind a summer hotel he pondered
deeply over the authorship of that
confession. Perhaps Miss Shaw's
embarrassment was caused by her
consciousness that the letter was in
his possession. Certainly he was
in a predicament, for he was
obliged to own that he did not feel
either one of the two girls would
satisfy him in a wifely capacity.
When he went for them Peggy
said Bernice was not coming then,
but would come later by trolley.
By the time the hour arrived
when they were to visit the quarry,
} Violet excused herself on the plea
} of fatigue, and Berniee had not re-
turned.
"There will be only you and 1,
/ said Peggy, obviously; "perhaps
. we would better wait until another
/ time"
"There is no reason why we
! should not CO. Adams replied.
l cit won't be the first walk we
' have taken together by any means.
They sauntered along in a merry
4 mood, Adams thinking that, after
all, there was no girl quite like
t Peggy. When she married things
e would hardly be the same, he re
f Elected. The idea did not suit him
y he became more serious.
"I think Bernice expected tt
t meet Mr.. Totheroh, Peggy con
e fded: sit isn't announced yet
o but don't mind telling you the
!, are engaged"
/ "Really!' Adams replied, alb
/. sently. ''He is a good fellow;
s know him we'll"
s "Don't be so glum," Pegg
!, answered after a little, when sig
nificant silences were punctured b.
= remarks on the weather and tn
Il scenery. eff you are still worryin
about vi, will tell you that 1 say
ID that new boarder we met at Ocea
It View going out with his Gamer
Ie shortly before she decided not t
1t join us.
ID "Then her young affections ar
* not blighted. he responded wit
W an attempt at jocularity.
- When they reached the quarry
" Peggy clambered around here an
at there in fearless manner. He
ou father, who had expected to met
ne them, had been called away, but a
nd the workmen knew Miss Bruce
Adams watched her small, tri
on figure as she sprsng from rock
on rock with the increasing convictiC
II. that no woman could ever be to hi
d; what Peggy was-the truest, deare
is little comrade in the world. Su
ed denly his heart lesped into h
throat.
Ie. feggy HIS voice rang ou
of stern, imperious, as he rushl
Ell forward and, seizing her arm, jerk
he her violently out of the dangero
''I position she was in. There was
ne dull roar, and granite ledge W
riven apart. A block fell precise
lat where she had stood.
er, The color died out of Peggy
ed. face. Adams drew her hand with
nat his arm.
mt "Steady, dear Peg" he sal
tenderly. Forgive my roughnes
pre- I hope didn't hurt you. "
ing "It didn't matter. II dor
eze know how to thank you," s
lad stammered.
ith In the twilight they walked hol
wn together, both sobered by t
um danger Peggy had escaped; Ada
rap quite as much by the new kncwled
on of his own heart.