The Washington times., 1912-06-23
THE TIMES DAILY SERIAL STORY
THE PRINCE OF PRETENSE
By
STEPHEN CHALMERS
Copyright. The Frank A. Munsey Coz

gate in the comfortable sunshine,
whistling "Black-eyed Susan and
Sally In Our Alley" with variations
waiting for Peggy Wallace.
,oandni Had he been @ able to see Pesgy, at that
stopped abruptly. She was in Janet
Glen's house, on her knees by Janets
side, and she was whispering a tale
and seeking counsel of the elder woman.
Had he heard the sum of Janet's ad-
vice In the matter confessed, he would
at least have left out the grace notes
and variations. for Janet looked into the
fre for long time and said:
Tell him-your captain. He Is a man
"a good mana strong man."
About an hour later Kilby saw Peggy
coming toward him-or rather. toward
the cottage for she did not see him.
Her chin was down on her breast and
her hands were clasped before her. XII
by saw that something was amiss. But
ne knew that In moment he would set
all things right. He stood before the
gate with a hand on each post his body
She raised her eyes and saw him when
she was but three PAGES away. She gave
great start as II the material had
arisen from the ghost of her thoughts
But she saw his attitude and understood
us meaning at once. Terror assailed
her-the terror of the situation, which
she knew was about to stand between
mem. , II had to come, she knew-but-
Let me pass" she said, family.
NO" he said. smiling.
lie looked steadily into her face and
instantly compassion overspread his
oWn-the gentle compassion Of the lover
r,PteggyC, he said. You have been
crying. Oh you poor little woman"
lmpulsively, his arms sought her. to
draw her % his broad breast and shield
her. Bu. she spranR back with little
cry OF agony and tried to Dart past him
through the gate. She got halfway and
was caught In a par of strong arms.
,o,ro ,Mow, IN ath said ti,,, gentle but laughing
listen to me. I won't let YOU go until
| YOU have heard me. unless you will
promise not to stir
II will listen. But let me so-plea se"'
pleading in her voice. But she was true
to her promise. She remained standing.
| with her hands Clasped be fore her, her
eyes dropped over her criInsoned
| cheeks.
He told her his story-the old story.
She listened with increasing agitation.
| once she lifted her eyelids with little
futter that disclosed new light in her
eyes
Peggy. lass. won't you be my lass
| forever and evcr?" he cried in whis-
ler. Il want to b. husband to the
sweetest little wife in the world
They will be coming from kirk she
said. 1T would not look well. Oh sh'
cried, as she n4w the persistence in his
| mouth. Il cant marry on can't"
Peggy, don't You love me a little
blt'
"Oh, yes, I love you, but"
/ That was all he needed. In a moment
| he had her tightly in his arms and
nothing in the world-not even the
{ congregation Of :he parish kirk-would
have made him relerse her; nothing
| but her own next words. uttered in thf
desperation of the situation.
| Let me go. You do not understand
| love you-oh, yes! ! love you az i dc
not deserve to be loved myself. But !
cannot marry you. Please do not ask
me any more"
why cannot you?" he demanded
quite severely. You love me. You
have said It. and know you do love
me. Why cannot you marry me. then;
| have the right to ask-to know
What reason could there be but one
belong-to another man."
! Kilby took step back and stared Al
her
Il do not understand" said he stu
pidly. You love me, yet you belong tc
another man. What other man.?
Ma jor Herbert FftZwilliam," she SAID
evenly. But the evenness was the pre-
past her lips before her face was pale
and her eyes blazing wide. And hate
hm--hate him-hate him!-not so much
for what he did but for what he hal
stolen from you. Oh. why did you no
come first, George?-George!-w
didn't you come before ne did? He hat
stolen you from me and I-cant ever
be happy-again"
A Continuation Of This story VII
be Found In TOmOrrOw's
VsauA Of The Times.