The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1913-11-28
. LITTLE SP|TF|RE
But There Came a Fairy Prince
Modest and Clean Minded.
BY MARTHA M'cuLLocH Will
LlAMS.


so. you won't have mel Who are
you waiting for? There's no other
girl around but would say Yes. and
thanky, tool" young Magee said an
grilyA crushing his hat as he spoke.
Peggy laughed
"Oh! for fairy prince, Of course.
Johnny. One with spangles all over
him, and coach and four" she said.
Il know you've got horse and buggy.
money in the bank, and the name Of q
good chance. Somehow, though, /
don't want youvery stupid Of me, /
dare say, but / don't think / can
tell you, though, who does want you
worst of all" as she saw him put up
a protesting hand: sally Job. and
she's such dear! Go right on and
ask her she's worth three of me.
And her Aunt Sarah will leave her
money; think how easy you'll get rich
with the money coming in on both
Sides
Il don't want any Sally job" Magee
ragged She she's been after me since
we went to school together
But don't you think you'd better let
me, or some other body, say it, John
N.Y." Peggy demanded, her eyes dan
cling. She liked Johnny in a way, de-
spite his colossal conceit-a conceit
somewhat excused by his bringing up.
the pet and idol Of three maiden aunts.
",Tisn't nice thing to say that of a
GIRL" she went on. 1.-THE fact that you
s do say it, and don't see that it isn't
nice, is one of the reasons ! won't
have you
1t is, eh?" Magee said almost chok-
ing. Il came here courtin' to be
lectured on manners Have your way,
I though. Miss Peggy Lester. but mark
what / tell you some day you'll be
sorry for what you're dom now"
But not so sorry as If hadn't done
it." Peggy flung back at him. She had
been bit sorry for him. Now she
was angry through and through. If l
thought there was a woman anywhere
big enough and rough enough to
thrash you within an inch Of your life,
I'd pray that you might get her. I'm
less there is such one. i hope you'll
die bachelor
Peggy, what are you saying?' Mrs
Lester demanded, stopping stock still
In the sitting-room. with her tray
OF cider and crullers. You mustn't
mind her, Johnny" she went on. You
know she's little spitfre. that don't
mean what she says"
she does mean it-this time"
Magee answered sulkily. But. Mrs.
Lester, hope you won't let that keep
you from bein' my friend
Surely not, Mrs. Lester said. set
ting down the tray. Johnny must be
wrought up when he refused her crul-
lers, to say nothing of the cider She
looked severely at her daughter Peggy
tossed her head, I'm a friend ofJohn-
n.y." she said. with a shadow of a
SMILE He can't deny tive been
advisfn' him for his own good"
"Good-by! When take your adj
wise Ill let you know" said Johnny
hufily, his hand on the door. Mrs.
Lester sank down. trembling all
over.
You've done 1t now, Peggy" she
said. 'Old Miss EN-. Magee will
never, never lend US the money to
pay that security debt Of your ia
E ther's-our home will have to co.
No, it won't" Peggy said stoutly.
running to her mother as she sopke.
I'VE won't ask Miss EN-. instead III
go up to the city and see Uncle
John"
1t will be no use-he said he'd
never help US again when he made
up the shortage in the treasurer's Of
dee,' Mrs. Lester said dejectedly.
but your poor pa viii keep goin'
security land havin' to pay every
time"
B Now, now. mother! Don't fret nor
go over It all" Peggy entreated I'm
bound to go to Uncle John don't
believe he'll turn me away"
Somebody else thought it would be
hard work to turn Peggy away upon a
leaden morning two weeks later as she
sat in wait outside her rich uncle's pri-
vate office. He was not real uncle
only sort Of stepbrother, although he
had no patience with her easy-going
husband. 1t was five years since he mad
been to the Lester farm-thus Peggy
grown up into blooming young woman
hood, was wholly strange to him. she
had not sent in her name. All her bray-
cry had deserted her as soon as she
stepped inside the glass doors. Her
cheeks burned under the glances OF
the men at work there. And still
more at the looks she got from the
other men. older ones, hurrying in and
out She meant to wait until Uncle
Joe appeared. then lay hold on him
and prefer her humble petition. Now
she wished desperately that she had
not come; it is a question, indeed,
whether she would not have welcomed
Johnny Magee and his love-makine
as deliverance. could he have hap
pened upon her then and there.
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