The Irish standard., 1915-04-10

"And may ask what that inten-
ton ISL"
ITO carry out the spirit Of Mr..
Kingsnorth's bequest-"
"And what do you consider the sptr-
it?"
II think we will best carry out Mr..
Kingsnorth's last wishes by making
known the conditions of his bequest to
Miss O'Connell and then let her decide
whether she wishes to abide by them
or not"
Mrs. Chichester came into the room
and went straight to Jerry. At the
same time Alaric burst in through the
garden and greeted Jerry and Hawkes..
II heard you were here''- began
Mrs. Chichester.
Jerry interrupted her anxiously.
Mrs. Chichester, was entirely to
blame for last nights unfortunate
business. Don't visit your displeasure
on the poor little child Please don't"
Jarvis came down the stairs with
panied. not to say mortified. expression
on his face. Underneath his left arm
be held tightly shabby little bag and
freshly wrapped up parcel. In his
right hand. held far away from his
body. vas the melancholy and pic
turesque terrier, Michael.
Mrs. Chichester looked at him in nor
rOr.
"Where are you going with those
things?" she gasped.
ITO put them in cab. ma,l an." an
swered the Inundated tootman. "Your
niece's orders"
"Put those articles in travelling
bag. Use one of my daughters" or,
dered the old lady.
"Your niece objects. madam. She
SEE she'll take nothing away she didn't
bring with her."
The grief stricken woman turned
away as Jarvis passed out Alaric
tried to comfort her. But the strain
Of the morning had been too great
He looked cheerfully at Jerry ana
smiled as he said:
II even offered to marry her IL she'd
stay. Couldn't do more than that,
could II"
Jerry returned Alaric's smile as he
asked:
"You offered to marry herg'
Alaric nodded.
"Poor little wretch"
Down the stairs came Peg and Ethel.
Mrs. Chichester looked Mt Peg through
misty eyes and said responsibility:
"Why that old black dress? Why not
one Of the dresses gave your
'"This Is the way l left me father. an
this is the way I'm goin' back to him!"
replieo I'eg stufdily.
"1ou're uot going. Peg" said Jerry
quietly and positively.
'Who's gOin' to stop me7"
"lhe chief executor of the late Mr..
KlngsGurth's WILL"
AN who Is thatT'
"Mr Jerry, Peg"
You an executor?"
Il am. Sit down-here in our midst
and know why you have been here all
the past month"
He forced Peg gently into chair.
Have you ever wondered at the real
reason you were brought here to this
house and the extraordinary interest
taken in you by relations who until a
month ago had never even bothered
about your existence"
Il have. indade." Peg answered.
but whenever I've asked any one I've
always been told it was me uncle's
WISH"
"And it was. Indeed, his keenest de-
sire just before his death was to atone
in some way for his unkindness to your
| mother"
"Nothin' could do that" and Pegs
lips frightened.
THAT was why he sent for you"
"SendiD' for me won't bring me poor
mother back to life, will IT."
AT least we must respect his inten.
lions. he desired that you should be
given the advantages your mother had
when she was q girl.
I'm Justice to yourself" proceeded
Jerry. you must know that he set
aside the sum of f1,0O0 year to be
paid to the lady who would undertake
your training"
Peg sprang up and walked across to
her aunt and looked down at her.
"a thousand pounds yearw She
turned to Jerry and asked: docs she
get thousand year for ubusin' me?
Well, what do ye think of that?" cried
Peg, gazing curiously at Mrs. Chiches.
ter. "A thousand pounds year for
maxim me miserable. an the poor dead
man thinkin' he was dom me favor!"
II tell you this" went on Jerry. "be-
cause don't want you to feel that you
have been living on charity. You have
not"
Peg suddenly biazed up:
swell. I've been made to feel it." and
she glarcd passionately at her aunt
Pegs anger gave place to just as sud.
den q twinge Of regret as she caught
sight of Ethel. white faced and star.
ing at her compassionately. She went
across to Ethel and buried her face on
her shoulder and wept as she walled:
why wasn't told? I'd never have
stayed! Why wasn't told?"
| And Ethel comforted her.
Don't cry. DEAR" she whispered.
Don't The day you came here We
were beggars. You have literally fed
and housed US for the last MONTH"
Poor Mrs. Chichester looked at her
daughter reproachfully.
Peg grasped the full meaning of Eth
| els wOrf1s.