The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-03-13

{Conttnusd.9
 .sWhere are you going with those things" she gasped.
 gro put them in cab, madam" an- ewered the huniIiated footman. sfYour niece's orders.''
 etPut those articles in a travelling bag. Use one of my daughters ]" or dered the old lady.
 tsYour niece objects, madam She bring with her.''
 The grief stricken woman turned away as Jarvis passed out. A1aric tried to comfort her. But the strain of the morning had been too great. s He looked cheerfuIly at Jerry and smiled as he said:
 q even offered to marry, her if she'd stay. Couldn't do more than that. could I?''
 Jerry returned Alaric's smile as he asked:
 .eYou onered to marry her?''
 Alaric nodded.
 Poor little wretch!''
 Down the stairs came Peg and Ethel. Mrs. Chichester looked at Peg through misty eyes and said reproachfu1ly: Why that old black dress? Why not one of the dresses gave you2''
 This is the way I left me father, am this is the way I'm goin' back to hiTnl' replied Peg stufdiIy.
 You're not going. Peg" said Jerry quietly and positively.
 -,Who,s g0in5 10 stop mel"
 ..1'he chief executor of the late MT. Kingsnurth's will"
 tAn' who is thatg'
 "A1r. Jerry, PegY'
 esYou an executor2''
 "I am. Sit, down-here in our midst and know why you have been here all the past month
 He forced Peg gently into a chair.
 s'Haye 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? ?"
 ''I have, indade, Peg answered. 'sBut whenever I've asked any one I've always been told it was me uncle's wisEl.''
 sfAnd it was Indeed. his keenest de- sire just before his death was to atone in some way for his unkindness to your mother''
 ssNothin' could do that9 and Pegs upS ugnteneQ,
 That was why he sent for you
 t.Sendin' for me won't bring me poor mother back to life, will it ?"
 s.At least we must respect his inten- tions. He desired that you should be given the advantages your mother had when she was a girl.
 .tIn justice to yourself" proceeded Jerry, you must know that he set aside the sum of E1.o00 a 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 yearP' She turned to Jerry and asked: Does she get a thousand a year for abusin' mel Well, what do ye think of that?g cried Peg, gazing curiousIy at Mrs. Chiches- ter. "A thousand pounds year for maxim me miserable, an the poor dead man thinkin' he was doin' me fayor!'
 tsI tell you this went on Jerry, ssbe- cause I don't want you to feel that you have been living on charity. You have not's
 Peg suddenly biazed up:
 .tWe1l. I've been made to feel il" and she glared passionately at her aunt.
 Pegs anger gave place to just as suds den a 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:
 ssWhy wasn't told? I'd never have stayedi 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 responsibility.
 Peg grasped the full meaning of Eth els words:
 '.And win ye have nothin' if I go away?'
 Peg persisted:
 eeTen me-are ye ralely dependin' on me? Spake to me. Because if ye are I won't go. I'll stay with ye I wouldn't see ye beggars for the wurrld. I've been brought up amongst them, an know what it is.''
 Suddenly she took Ethel by the shoulders and asked in voice so low that none of the others heard her:
 was that the reason ye were goin' last night?'
 Ethel tried to stop her.
 The truth iIlumined Ethel's face, and Peg saw it and knew.
 ''Holy Mary' she cried, sAnd ii was was drivin'. ye 70 it. Ye felt the insult of it every time ye met me, as ye said last night. Sure, if I'd known dear, I'd never have hurt ye, ] wouldn't. Indade I wouldn't!''
 She turned to the others
 There, it's all settled. I'll stay with ye, aunt an ye can tache me anythius