Evening star., 1914-05-22

and mother repeated that the doctors
were most hopeful and told of fathers
disappointment in not receiving a raise
which would have helped so much and
she remained queerly silent, mothers
eyes first expressed surprise and then
became wistful.
Peggy lay sleepless long that night.
She knew what the folks expected. She
wished to goodness she had told them
about Europe when she arrived! They
knew how arduous her duties at Aunt
Judith's had been SO surely they would
feel that the rest was justly her reward
Something suddenly whispered of moth
ers rest which for six years had come
only between the hours of sundewn
and sunup. OF course. she knew mother
had it hard, but still-well she would
tell in the morning.
Somehow in the morning the opportu-
nifty seemed very far away. Mothers
tasks appeared endless. Peggy took en-
tire charge of Helen. She smiled rather
wistfully when mother thanked her and
said it was joy to have her home to
on earth she would tell her that the
home period would cover only two weeks
AS the days passed she found she felt
more comfortable alone with Helen, who
didn't know about the operation. Fortu-
nately, she told herself she didn't have
Grif to bother her. And when she had
occasion to enter the Hawley dry goods
store. though he might attend to her
Yet there was a little stabbing hurt. She
did not want Grif's love. but she missed
the manH attentions it had called forth
now that things were not comfortable at
home.
So the time drew near Easter. with
her wonderful news untold 1t did not
need Grif's reminder one day at his lace
counter, casters only month off,
Peggy, when the personally conducted
will be in-Rome is TITO warn her
hat hn o~d1 1I
putting off the telling. She had a letter
r her hand cautioning her of the near
ness CT the day of sailing.
She was staring past Grif when his
red and white by turns. Yet all he
said as he held out his hand was
Goodbye, Peggy. I'm going away to-
right. Won't be back before you leave
The best kind of an EASTERN Rome"
ne smiled frankly. Furiously con-
scious of the dreadful color, she hoped
her goodbye was as carelessly spoken
as his. But it wasn't, nor could she
summon dignity to her aid when he
said: Haven't told the folks. have you?
Think you're ting them square? Play
fair, Peggy
For moment her eyes flared. I'm
going to tell them right away, Crit
she answered simply.
AS she went along Main street she
decided to tell Phil first. She found him
in the sitting room where he studied. She
must tell him at once before mothers
call came for supper.
Phil" she began. your studies will
be pretty hard at college next year,
won't they?'
His brow puckered. He pushed his
books from him. irritably- See here,
Peggy, I'm not going to college! I'm
I'm sick of schooling. Pm going to ask
Grif to take me on at the store after
Mothers call came Philip dashed out,
thankfully, she knew. She was very
quiet during supper and afterward
Helen and she were alone. 1t came to
| her that she would tell Helen first you
| feel stronger than you did Christmas
| time. don't you?" she asked.
oh, heaps! And when spring comes
| really. and you can wheel me outside,
I'll be still stronger. won't 1?''
Peggy only smiled. After a silence,
her voice merely whisper. Helen do
you often think of the days you werent t
this way?" Her glance swept the invalid
chair.
Il try not to-" wistfully. but some
times it's dreadfully hard. Peggy. do
you remember how everybody used to
call me the tomboy. and what a runner