The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1915-07-07

newell post, where she had been prac
tcally hidden, and went straight to
Jerry and, smiling up at him, her eyes
dancing with amusement, said:
$50 am l starvin' too. I've not had
q bite since g."
ALLOW me-" and Jerry offered her
his arm.
Mrs. Chichester quickly interposed.
my niece Is tired after her journey.
She will lunch in her room"
"Oh, but I'm not a bit tired" ejacu-
lated Peg anxiously. I'm not tired
at all. an' I'd much rather have lunch
down here with MI. jerry"
The whole family were aghast
Ethel looked Indignantly at Peg.
Mrs. Chichester calculated. What"
Alaric. almost struck dumb, fell back
upon well, J. mean to say"
And you shall 60 in with Mr.. Jer-
~" said that young gentleman, slip
ping Pegs arm through his own. Turn.
ing II Mrs. Chichester, he asked her:
with your permission we will lead
the way. Come, Peg" and be led her
to the door and opened it.
Peg locked up at him, a roguish light
dancing in her big. expressive eyes.
Thanks. I'm not 50 sure about that
wager Of yours. l think yer life is
safe. ! want to tell ye ye've saved
NINE" She put n hand gently on
her little stomach and cried. II am 80
hungry me soul Is hangin' by q
thread"
Laughing gayly the two new found
friends went in search of the dining
room.
"Dsgracefulr' ventured Ethel
"Awful!' said the stunned Alaric.
"She must he taken in hand at once!
came in firm tones from Mrs. Chiches'
ter. 'Sl1e must never be left alone
again. Come quickly before she can
disgrace US any further today"
The days that followed were never
to be forgotten ones for Peg. Her ma
ture was in continual revolt The
teaching Of her whole lifetime she was
told to correct Everything she said
everything she looked, everything she
did was wrorg.
Tutors were engaged to prepare bel
for the position she might one day en-
Joy through her dead uncle's will
They did not remain long. She show.
ed either marked incapacity to acquire
the slightest veneer Of c~ulture-else II
was pure willfulness.
The only CLEANS Of relief she had
were ON the occasions when Jerry Wis
fled the family. Whenever they could
avoid Mrs. Caichester's watchful eyes
they would chat and laugh and play
like children.
Her letters to her father were a,
first very bitter regarding her treat
ment by the family. Indeed, 80 resent
full did they become that her father
wrote to her in reply urging her. II she
was 80 unhappy, to at once return to
him on the next steamer. The month
she had promised to stay was dra awning
to On end. But one more day remain
ed. 1t was tc, be a memorable n for
Peg.
Jerry had endeavored at various
times to encourage her to study. Ont
day he gave her q large. handsomely
bound volume, and asked her to reao
1t at odd times and he would examine
her in 1t when she had mastered IT.
contents. She opened 1t wonderingl!
and found it to be Love Stories Of
the World"
1t became Pegs treasure. She KEEP
It hidden from every q In the hous'
She made a cover for 1t out Of Il piere
of cloth. 80 that no one could see the
ornate binding. She would read it
night in her DOM by day out In the
fields or by the sea The book was d
revelation to her. 1t gave all her i'm
agination full play. Through its pages
treaded q stately procession Of kingS
and ~queens-Wagnerian heroes an6
heroines. Shukpspearean creations, me
Iodious 10 verse, and countless others.
All through the month Christian
Brent was a frequent visitor. If PEG
only despised the Chichesters she posi-
lively loathed Brent. Peg was wait
ing for a really good chance to find GU,
Mr.. Brent's real character. The op
portunity came.
On the night Of the last day Of the
trial month Peg was lying face down
ward on a sofa reading her treasure
when she became conscious Of some
one being in the o watching her
She starred up In a panic. insuncdVely
hiding the book behind her. She found
Brent staring down at her in open ad
miration. Something in the 1ntentness
Of his gaze caused her to spring to bel
feet.
The book must be absorbing
What is itT' be asked.
Peg faced him, the book clasped II
both of her hands behind her back.
her eyes flashing and her heart throb-
bling.
You mustn't be angry, child. What
ia It, eh? Something forbiddenp' and