The Irish standard., 1915-03-27


distance. Alaric hurried 10 the door.
"Come along, every one! Lunch!
'"Thank goodness!" cried Jerry, join.
ing him. "I'm starving"
Peg came quietly from behind the
newell post, where she had been prac.
tically hidden, and went straight to
Jerry and, smiling up at him, her eyes
dancing with amusement, said:
$50 am 1 starvin' too. I've not had
bite since 81
"Allow me-" and Jerry offered her
his arm.
Mrs. Chichester quickly interposed.
"My niece is tired after her journey.
She will lunch in her ROOM"
"Oh, but I'm not bit tired" ejacu-
Mated Peg anxiously. "I'm not tired
at all, an I'd much rather have lunch
down here with Mr.. jerry"
The whole family were aghast.
Ethel looked Indignantly at Peg.
Mrs. Chichester calculated, "What?'
Alaric, almost struck dumb, fell back
upon "Well, mean to sayy'
"And you shall go in 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 1t.
Peg looked up at him, a roguish light
dancing in her big, expressive eyes.
Thanks. I'm not so sure about that
wager Of yours. I think yer life is
safe. I want to tell ye we've saved
mine." She put one hand gently on
her little stomach and cried, II am SO
hungry me soul is hangin' by a
thread"
Laughing gayly the two new found
friends went in search of the dining
room.
"Disgracefulv' ventured Ethel.
"Awful!' said the stunned Alaric.
| "She must be taken in hand at oncer'
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
to be forgotten ones for Peg. Her na-
ture 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 We're 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 incapacity to acquire
the slightest veneer of culture-else 1t
was pure willfulness.
The only CLEANS Of relief she had
were on the occasions when Jerry Wis
tied the family. Whenever they could
avoid Mrs. Chichester's watchful eyes
they would chat and laugh and play
like children.
Her letters to her father were at
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, If she
was SO unhappy, to at once return to
him on the next steamer. The month
she had promised to stay was drawing
to IN end. But one more day remain
ed. It was to be q memorable one fol
Peg.
Jerry had endeavored at various
times to encourage her to study. One
day he gave her large, handsomely
bound volume and asked her to read
it at odd times and he would examine
her in it when she had mastered its
contents. She opened it wonderingly
and found it to be "Love Stories OF
the World"
1t became Pegs treasure. She kept
it hidden from every one in the house
She made cover for it out of a piece
of cloth, so that no one could see the
ornate binding. She would read it al
night in her room, by day out In the
fields or by the sea. The book was 9
revelation to her. It gave all her i'm
agination full play. Through its pages
treaded stately procession of kings
and queens-Wagnerian heroes and
heroines, Shakespearean creations, me
lodious in verse, and countless others.
All through the month Christian
Brent was frequent visitor. If Peg
only despised the Chichesters she posi-
lively loathed Brent. Peg was wait
ing for really good chance to find gu,
Mr.. Brent's real character. The Oh
portunity came.
On the night of the last day of the
trial month Peg was lying face down
ward on sofa reading her treasure
when she became conscious Of some
one being in the room watching her
She started up in a panic, instinctivel,
hiding the book behind her. She found
Brent staring down at her in open ad
miration. Something in the intentnes>
of his gaze caused her to spring to hcl
feet.
'sThe book must be absorbing
What is it," he asked.
Peg faced him, the book clasped ii
both of her hands behind her back
her eyes flashing and her heart throl
bling.
"You mustn't be angry, child. VIVA.
is it, eh? Something forbidden" anG
he leered knowingly at her. Then h,
made quick snatch at the book, say
ing, "Show It me!'
Peg ran across the room and, turn
ing up corner Of the carpet, put the
book under 1t, turned back the carpet
put her foot determinedly on it and