The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-10-06
A Story for the Married and Those Who
Expect to Be, Written from the Great Play
of the Same Title :: :: :: :: ::

to spend his money on home for lost
cats as on Lady Atwill,'
She's a very attractive cat-er-
woman" And Peggy made little
grimace in honor of the absent lady.
HE doesn't care two straws about
hel." continued Collingwood. decidedly.
Then why did he come demanded
Peggy. ).
Peggy violently changed her position
to add force to her next remark. i
Anyway, ! don't like her. Do you?
/ believe you do, Colling"
Now. now stop that, Peggy he
commanded, half seriously.
Peggy's eyes were sparkling again.
Shes very attractive woman, cooed
Peggy.
well. she's not the sort of woman
who attracts me. anyway" he retorted
in the tone of man who considers one
chapter of conversation closed. Peggy
bent toward him with maddening lit
tie smile.
who is the sort of woman that at
tracts you" she asked softly. Colling-
woods figure stiffened slightly and he
drew sharp breath.
Peggy he exclaimed. slowly lean
ing toward her. You're tantalizing
little fiend"
She slid off the stool and danced
away out of danger with another of her
bubbling laughs. Then she suddenly
turned to him in mock contrition.
Il suppose | shouldn't have said
that she ventured
why nots' he returned instant and
his voice trembled slightly. Il love you
in all your moods, Peggy
She regarded him gravely for a few
moments. The note in his voice in
stantly drove the butterfly out of her.
What about that cigarette?" she
asked gravely.
The best of women have in them a
streak of the entomologist.
With women of Peggy Adamston's
type this weakness reaches its highest
development. 1t is probably because
they have opportunities for studying the
more interesting species of male human
bugs. The study of the texture and &c
ton of the male heart is a fascination.
When we wiggle and squirm it only
adds to the joy of the investigator But
occasionally a particularly sturdy speci-
men of bug wriggles off the slide and
'
ing manner.
1t is the class Of bug that forms the
most alluring subject matter for women
like Peggy Adamston because she
knows of the cataStrophes that have at
tend the efforts of other students. For
this reason she was devoted TO her
study of Collingwood. But when he
calmly assured her that his cigarette
was not finished she had premonition
that she was about to see the hitherto
concealed weapons of the species.
Listen! Peggy. you must listen" he
exclaimed with passionate earnestness.
Not tonight. Colling," she replied
! nervously. moving toward the door of
\ her bedroom. He rose quickly and
crossed the room. so as to cut off her
retreat She stopped
Now go. Colling.' she commanded.
He moved slowly toward her with arms
outstretched. His eyes were burning
and the color came and went in his
dark face
Il can't go, Peggy" There was
sor'
| Please. Colling. don't talk like that,
she begged. She tried in vain to make
her tones distant and friendly. He con-
tinued to advance and she could hear
his quick breathing.
Il can't help it, he exclaimed in
low voice. Il love youi'
Peggy shrank back until the window
opening onto the balcony stopped her
retreat. She was beginning to tremble.
Please don't talk Of love-" she plead
ed.
why not!' he cried, suddenly break
ing out in passion. ITS in the air-the
very night is charged with love, You
can't look out on night like this with
out thinking of lover
! She stared up at him with growing
fear; Don't Colling, You brighten
me!'
He was close upon her now. why
should my love brighten you, my
Peggy. my darling~ His voice was
vibrant with love and tenderness.
Brightness and tenderness and love
that you want! l know how dull and
monotonous your life is. Poor little
butterfly! What fluttering you make
to be free-to warm your wings in the
sunny places Peggy" he exclaimed.
Il want to show you the sunny places /"
Peggy edged away from him and
leaned against the piano. Please go,
Colling! she entreated, looking small
and white and pathetic beside his tall
figure. 1t isn't fair. I'm afraid You
see, I'm so fond of you and-I'm such
little butterfly
Il can't go, Peggy he cried despef-
ately, Il want you! | want you so
badly" The words came out between
his set teeth and she could hear his
shirt bosom crack above the straining
muscle. Il want you for my own-to-
nightto-morrow and all the nights
and all the days! I've been very good.
I've always done just what you told
me. have come and gone just as the
| whim has struck you. You know how
deeply | love you'll"
Peggy made a despairing effort to
! quell him. 81 only know" she said
gently, in a tremulous voice, that you
are my friend-my very dear friendw
Lover. Peggy. lover" he cried. his
voice raising. RI am man-devoured
by love of you! have waited for you
-longed for you-and nowp he sud
denly caught the slender form in his
arms of steel and crushed it to him
"And now we are alone together-you
and Ir' he painted. There are no 9TH
ers in the world-no othersl You're
mine, Peggy-mine at lastp'
She struggled desperately to break
the painful grip and keep his lips away