The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-08
Comedy Of Youth, Founded by MIR. Manners His
Great Play cf the Same Title-Illustratons
From Photographs of the Play
copyrish.. 1918. by Dodd. Mead Z Company
tcoNTlNUED.,

RiSCpth LIS StuNC. poOl
"Why. then. you're Miss Margaret
O'ConnellT
II am. How did you know that?"
II was with your uncle when he
died"
Were yeY'
"He told me all about you"
did he? Well. l wish the poor man
'ud ha' lived. An l wish he'd "a
thought o US sooner-he with all his
money an me father with none an me
his sisters only child"
what does your father dor
Peg took deep breath and answer
ed eagerly. She was on the one SUBJ
ject about which she could talk freely
all she needed was good listener.
This strange man, unlike her aunt.
seemed to be the very person to talk
to on the one really vital subject to
Peg. She said breathlessly:,
Sure me father can do anything at
all-except make money. An when
he does make it he can't kape it. He
doesn't like it enough. Nayther do L.
We've never had very much to like.
but we've seen others around us with
plenty, an. fuith. we've been the hap
piest-that we have"
She only stopped to take breath be-
fore on she went again:
There have been times when we've
been most starvin', but me father new
er lost his pluck or his spirits. Nayther
did l. When times have been the
hardest I've never heard word of
complaint from me father nor seen a
frown on his face. An I'm sick for
the sight Of him. An I'm sure he is
for me-for his Peg O. My Heart as
he always calls me-"
She uncovered her eyes as the tears
trickled down through her fingers.
Don't do that" he said softly as he
felt the moisture start into his own
eyes.
II don't often cry" she said. "Me
father never made me do it. I never
saw him cry but twice in his life
once when we made little money an
we had mass said for me mothers
soul an we had the most beautiful
candles on Our Lady's altar. He cried
then. he did. An when left him to
come here on the ship-an' then only
at the last minnit."
In a moment she went on again:
II cried meself to sleep that night.
did. An many a night. too. on that
steamer.
AN l wish hadn't come-that
do. He's missln' me every minnit--an'
I'm missin' him An I'm not guin to
be happy here aytber.
II don't want to be lady. An they
won't make me one, ayther. If | can
belp it. 'Ye can't make a silk purse
out Of a sow's ear, that's what me
father always said. An that's what
l am. I'm sow's ear
She stopped.
I'm afraid cannot agree with
you"
She looked up at bin and said in
differently:
That's what am. I'm a sow's
ear"
when the strangeness wears of
you'll be very happy. You're among
friends"
Peg shook her head and said bitter
ly: mo. I'm not. They may be rela-
tons. but they're not me friends"
He turned to Peg and said:
When they really get to know you,
Miss O'Connell. they will be just as
proud of you as your father is-as-I
would be-
Peg looked at him in whimsical as
tonisbment: You'd be? Why should
you be proud of me?''
I'D be more than proud II you'd look
on me as your friend"
"A friend Ia it7" cried Peg warily.
Sure don't know who you are at all"
and she drew away from him. She
was on her guard. Peg made few
friends. Why this man calling him.
self by the outlandish name Of Jerry
should walk in out Of nowhere and Of
fer her his friendship and expect her
to jump at 1t puzzled her. Who
was he7
"Who are ye at aIl7" she asked.
mo one In particular" answered
Jerry between gasps.
Il can see that" said Peg candidly.
II mean what do ye dor
Everything little and nothing
really WELL" Jerry replied. IL was a
soldier for awhile; then took a splash
at doctoring. read law. civil engineered
In South America for year; now I'm
farming"
"Farming?" asked Peg incredulously.
"Yes. I'm farmer"
Peg laughed as she looked at the well
cut clothes, the languid manner and
easy poise.
1T must be mighty hard on the land
and cattle to have you farmin' them,"
she said.
1T is" and he. too. laughed again.
She started up the staircase leading
to the mauve room.
Jerry called after her anxiously;
mo. no. Miss O'Connelll Don't 20
like that"
Il must" said Peg from the, top of
the stairs. What will get here but
to be laughed at an Jeered at by lot
of people that are not ct to even look
at me father? Who are they. I'D like
to know. that l mustn't speak his name
in their presence?
Suddenly she raised her hand above
her head. and in the manner and tone