The Washington herald., 1912-10-13

;. "Yes. l like men who do things
said Peggy. She had recovered he
J confidence. The bug had ceased to bit,
and sting. 1t would be interesting tt
watch it in the throes of a few NOR
wriggles -"All woman worth their sal
like men who have some purpose il
life and who fight the world and win.
Like George Adamston," suggested
Collingwood with touch of irony,
'Yes, he's fighter, Colling." she re
Piled, seriously. q think many womer
would love George. He's not like othel
men but
"But he has all the luckp Colling.
wood broke in bitterly. Il could de-
anything if you were with me! I mus,
have something or some one to hgh,
for. Peggy, you must let Adamstor
get divorce" he finished in grim ear
nest Peggy sank into chair with q
divorce! Oh. you must not talk like
that You don't know how it hurts
me. Really, you're mistaken" she went
on earnestly. I'm quite satisfied with
my life-only sometimes when I'm fool
ish feel little lonely and neglected. y
Then you have deceived me-" he
charged.
"Colling! l never meant
Never meant! Good heavens Col
lingwood blazed out. Il told you six
months ago that l loved you! And
ever since then you have let me go
everywhere with you and I've told you
again and again of my lovep
Peggy's lips trembled and she half
raised her arms as if to shield herself
from the outburst.
"You have always been so good to
me-" she said pathetically. You've
never been unkind before"
Collingwood fairly sprang toward
her.
Good! Unkind! Why, most men
would have divorced their wives on
far less than half the evidence We have
furnished! And you have accepted that
position without murmur! You don't
know what you've done!
Peggys ewes were wide with terror.
"Colling! What do you mean? she
cried.
Mean! mean that you've led me to
believe that you didn't care what we
did-what people said about US! Mean! I!
That We are alone together, Peggy. you
and II" His voice was low and tense
and the words tumbled out over each
other in a passionate whirl. That the
call of love is in the spring. whisper
ing to you and me! Mean! That l am
man and you are a woman, whose
souls stand barred to Each other!
That love you and you love me"
And again she was crushed to his
breast.
Il don't love you Colling! Let me
go!" she painted and wrenehed herself
loose Then she sank Imply onto the
the sofa She felt strangely weak, 1t
was as if she was being robbed of the
power Of resistance--as if the sheer
strength of the passion were overcom-
her and had her in his arms again.
between his clenched teeth as he strain
ed her to him. 1T is my hour! It's
your fault as we'll as mine Kiss me
Peggy. You've tormented- me long
enough. Kiss mew
One arm turned her scarce resisting
face up to his, and his lips crushed hers
in a long fierce kiss. The telephone
bell tangled loudly.
''Ellerdine" she gasped
Let him ringw And he kissed her
again. in spite of her terrified struggles.
mo, moi" she painted. Answer him
Please-pleasew
She broke out of his embrace. and
with a growl of anger he rose and hur-
ried to the phone. /
well. well. who is it." he demanded
testify. "Wha-a-tw He hastily pressed
the mouthpiece to his shirt bosom
"Ad-Admanston" he whispered. |
And for once in his life Collingwood
was really frightened.
My husbandr' gasped Peggy, start
ing to her feet
"Yes,-Yes. we took the wrong
train" Collingwood was saying into the |
phone.
Yes, Collingwood. It's he speak
ing"
Peggy's lips were stiff with terror.
Where is he?" she managed to wilis-
per, but Collingwood motioned to her to |
be quiet. l
"Oh, YES" he went on in natural |
tone I'VE have just finished supper. |
What! / can't hear distinctly. You
want to speak to-Oh, to Ellerdine
Wait, I'll tell him" |
He put down the receiver and turned |
to Peggy. He was very pale, but his
eyes were shining.
"He wants to speak to you. too" he
said in low voice. Perhaps you'd bet
ter not"
Peggy shuddered and buried her face
in her hands.
'T can't! l can't" she moaned. He
picked up the phone again. Where is
he. London?" whispered Peggy.
81 didn't think to ask.-Hullo! Eller-
dine has Just gone out" he went on
you speaking from Damn! We're
cut off! Hullo! Dites done, madamoi-
selle. ne coupez pas mon numero, je
ne pas fni-Ifs no use-we're cut off,"
And he slammed the instrument onto
the table.
Peggy faced him, livid with fear.
"Oh. this is fearful! she moaned. "How-
did he know We were here?"
"Collingwood started and bit his lip.
Il never thought of thatw he exclaim-
3D. "Can he have had us-?" He left
he sentence unfinished as terrible sus-
picion flashed across his mind.
What! What?" sobbed Peggy, hys-
terically.
Followed" he muttered, and paus-
ID again. Peggy! Rumor-he has
BEEN ridiculed INTO action. Peggy, the
crash has Gomez he declared solemnly.
But Peggy was beyond coherent
hought or speech. She leaned against
he mantel, her eyes closed. her breath
coming in quick gasps-stricken even