Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1915-04-29
PEG O. MY HEART
Manners
BY
illustrations Play

tically hidden. and went straight to
Jerry and. smiling up at him. her eyes
dancing with amusement, said:
$50 am starvin' too. I've not had
bite since t."
"Allow me-" and Jerry offered her
his arm.
Mrs. Chichester quickly interposed
MY niece Il tired after her Journey
She will lunch In her room"
"Ob. but l'N not a bit tired" ejacu.
lated Peg aDxiously I'm not tired
at all. an Id much rather have lunch
down here with MIR Jerry"
The whole family We're aghast
Ethel looked Indignantly ut Peg.
Mrs. Chichester calculated, "What?"
Alartc. almost struck dumb, fell back
upon well, nieap to say!''
And you shall go III with Mr.. Jer
ry." said that young gentleman. slip
ping Pegs arm through his own Turn
ing to Mrs. Chichester, he asked her:
with your permission we will lead
the way. Come. Peg" and he led her
to the door and opened it.
Peg looked up at him, roguish light
dancing In her big, expressive eyes
Thanks. I'm not SO sure about that
wager of yours. think yer life is
safe. wont to tell We we've saved
NINE" She put one hand gently on
her little stomach and cried. 81 am so
hungry me soul Is hangin' by
thread"
Laughing gayly the two new found
friends went In search Of the dining
room.
"Disgraceful!' ventured Ethel.
"Awful!" said the stunned Alaric.
"She must be taken in hand at once!'
came In firm tones from Mrs. Chiches
ter. "She must never be left alone
again. Come quickly before she can
disgrace us any further today"
The days that followed were never
tire 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 wrong.
Tutors were engaged to prepare her
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 incaImcity to acquire
the slightest veneer of culture else ii
was nur., Willfulnpss
The only CLEANS of relief she had
were on the occasions when Jerry Wis
tied the family. Whenever they could
avoid Mrs. Chichester's watchfnl eyes
they would chat and laugh and play
like children
Her letters to her father We're Il.
first very bitter regarding her treat
ment by the family indeed. SO resent
full did they become that her father
wrote to her in reply urging her. II She
was 80 unhappy. to ut once return to
him on the next steamer. The month
she had promised to stay was drawing
to an end. But one more day remain
ed. 1t was to be memorable one for
Peg.
Jerry had cndeavored at various
times to encourage her to study. One
day he gave her a large. handsomely
bound volume and asked her to read
1t at odd times and he would examine
her in 1t when she had mastered its
contents ShI opened it wonderingly
and found 1t to he Love Stories of
the World
1t became Pegs treasure. She kept
1t hidden from every one In the house.
She made a cover for 1t out Of a piece
of cloth. so that no one could see the
ornate binding She would read 1t at
night in her room. by day out In the
fields or by the sea. The book was
revelation to her 1t gave all her i'm
agination full play. Through its pages
trcaded stately procession Of kings
and queens Wagnerian heroes and
heroines. Shakesprarenn creations, me-
Iodious in verse. and countless others.
All through the month Christian
Brent was frequent visitor. III Peg
only despised the Chi"hesters she posi-
lively lonthed Brent. Peg was wait
ing for really good chance to tind out
Mr.. Rrent'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 sofa rcading her treasure
when she became conscious of some
one being in the room watching her.
She started up in a panic. instinctively
hiding the book behind her She found
Brent staring down at her III open ad
miration. Something in the intentness
OF his gaze caused her to spring to her
feet.
1.-The book must be absorbing
What is it?' lie asked
Peg faced him, the book tlasped In
both Of her hands behind her back
her eyes flashing and her heart throb
bling.
"Y0u mustn't be angry. child. What
IL it. Ell? Something forbidden?" and
he leered knowingly at her. Then he
made quick snatch at the bOok. say
ing. "ShOw 1t me!'
Peg ran across the room and. turn
.ng up corner Of the carpet. put the
BOOK under 1t. turned back the carpet.
put her foot dpterIninedIy on 1t and
turned again to face her tOrmentOr
Brent went rapidly across to her.
The instinct Of the chase was quick in
his blood.
"a hiding place. Ell? Now you make
me really curious. Let me see." He
again made movement toward the
hidden book.
Peg clinched both Of her hands into
little fists and gIured al Brent. while