Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1915-05-27

quietly and positively.
Nv nos goin To stop me?"
''lhe chief executor OF the late Mr..
Klngsnurth's Will"
An who Is that?'
MIR. Jerry, l'eg!"
"lou ali eSecutor?"
II 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 We're 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 eNistencey"
II 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 kcenest 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''
"Sendin' for me won't bring me poor
mother back to life, will itY"
AT least we must respect his intcn-
tions He desired that you should be
given the advantages your mother had
when she was Il girl,
''ln justice to Yourself" proceeded
Jerry. you must know that he set
aside the sun, of f1,OOO year to be
paid to the lady who would undertake
your training"
Peg sprang up and walked across to
her annt and looked down at her.
"a thousand pounds year" She
turned to Jerry and asked: Docs she
get thousand year for abusin me?
Well. what do ye think of that?' cried
Peg, gazing curionsly at Mrs. Chiches-
ter. "a thousand pounds year for
maxim me miserable, an the poor dead
man thinllin' he was doin' 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 biaZcd up:
well. I've been made to feel it." and
she glared passionately at her aunt.
Pegs anger gave place to just as sud,
sight OF Ethel, white faced and star.
ing at her compassionately. e. went
across to Ethel and buried -. face op
her shoulder aud wept as sic 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 Yon lfave literally fed
and housed US for the last month"
Poor Mrs Chichester looked ut her
daughter reproachfully.
Peg grasped the full meaning of Eth
els words:
And will ye have nothin' if go
away?"
Peg persisted:
Tell me--are ye ralely dependin' on
me? Spake to me. Because ii ye are
won't go. III stay with ye.
wouldn't see We beggars for the
wurrd 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 We were goin'
last night?"
Eth11 triad tn ctnn bap
The truth illumined Ethel's face, and
Peg saw it and l5new.
s"Holy Nary she cried. "And ii
was was drivin' ye to it. Ye felt the
insult Of it every time We met me. as
ye said last night. Sure. If Id known
dear, I'd never have hurt We,
wouldn't. Indade | woun.n't!"
She turned to the others
There, it's all settled. LII stay with
ye, aunt, an We can tache me anything
We like. Will some one ask jarvis to
bring back my bundles an Michacli
I'm goin' to stayr'
| Jerry smiled approvingly at her
Then he said:
THAT is just what | would have ex
pected you to do; but. my dear Peg
there's no need for such a sacrifice"
Sure, why not?" cried Peg excited
ly. Let me sacrifice meselt. fee
| like It this mint
"There is no OCCASION"
He walked over to Mrs. Chichester
and addressed her:
II came here this morning with somt
very good news for you. | happen tt
be one of the directors of Gifford's
bank. and am happy to say that Fl
will shortly reopen its doors. and al
the depositors' money will be available
| for them in a little while"
| Mrs. Chichester gave cry of JOY.
"Oh. Alaric!" she exclaimed .My
darling EtheIp'
"a panic in American securities. ii
which we were heavily int rested
caused the suspension of business" ex
| planned Jerry. THE panic is over
The securities are rising every day
Well soon be on easy street again."
Jerry looked at Peg. She caught hi.
/ eye and smiled, but 1t had sad wist
/ fulness behind it.
"Sure, they don't want me now. II
| better take me cab. Good day to ye.
And she started quickly for the door.
Jerry stopped her.
"There is just one more condition o
Mr.. Kingsnorth's will that you mus
know Should you go through you
course of training satisfactorily to tn
age of twenty -one you will inherit tn
sum of f5,000 year"