Evening star., 1915-06-27

as told you, is the appointed time. But
Peggy refuses flatly refuses. She knows
have been your suitor for many years, and
she thinks you are still my lodcstar. have
talked and argued with her She's adamant
But she says this: that if you will tell her
with your own lips, here in this office that
you will never marry me, she will notwith-
standing the rumor that | am still devoted
to you.
And so you see. Margaret, the sum and
substance of this letter is to ask you to show
me that friendship you have so often offered
me in place of what wanted. Come to tho
office tomorrow the day this reaches you.
and do me that last good turn. You will find
us here until four O'Clock, as we have made
no plans that will interfere with the routine
of business.
Margaret, this is a great favor | am ask
ing, but | have great faith in your woman
illness. Please don't fail me.
What else could do but comply with
such request? But it was just five
minutes before four when entered
Robert soffice-or rathert the outside Office,
where the men We're just getting into their
coats, preparatory to leaving for the day.
One of them, however, ushered me into
the private Office.
found Robert pacing the floor with
such a set look on his face that it seemed as
IL agony llut tttiltu IlStll oll HIS lttllItS.
But as he saw me his gaze softened
" A FTER the men go, he said huskily.
wen have Peggy in. Margaret this
is fine Of you! haven't dared to hope
"And why not?'
He offered me Il chair; but walked
over to the window and stood with my
back to it. Then asked:
"What is it YOU want me to say? |
don't want to make any mistakes.
He did not answer me,-just seemed to
be listening to something else, either for
Peggy's coming or the exit of the men, |
thought After Il moment | asked with
a laugh:
But where on earth have you hidden
her? She wasn't outside when | came in.
Is she perhaps in a drawer of your desk?'
He gave me a look, AN indescribahle
look. Then as the door outside slammed
he said queerly, "'That's it, Margaret
You We guessed it. | keep her in my desk
know | looked amazed. What else |
looked do not know. But beneath that
CONSERVATION lay a numbness that para
lyzed my reasoning powers. | added
and hoped gave right, light infection
to the words:
"ln your desk?'
"les." he said.
He drew out drawer of his desk.
What he took out of it did not see until
he stood beside me. Then wordlcssly he
placed it before my eyes. II iraS a uicture
Of me,a little picture taken when | was
about eighteen, and on the back of it.
which he turned to show me. were tho
words "'ro my dear Mrs. MacAllistcr'
(his mother) "from Peggy"
Peggy! How the years had flown. |
had forgotten that they had ever called
me SO. | looked at myself in that little
gold frame with eyes that saw through q
mist.
1t was Robert who broke the silence.
and what he said was, "lf any other man
had done thing like this" He didn't
say whether he meant bringing me there.
but | had swift prescence of the truth:
it was the picture-"Id have called him
a sentimental fool.
His troubled eyes searched mine; but
| had been so shamed had to turn away.
"Put her away-that little thing" |
said TREMENDOUSLY. "Shc makes me want
-, hat oh, h,,