The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1915-02-27
CHAPTER X.
Pea Away From Home.

reg away FROM Home.
"OR the next few days Peg was
H busy preparing herself for the
journey and buying little things
for her scanty equipment. Then
the cable came to the effect that a,
passage was reserved for her and mon
ey was waiting at a bankers for herI
expenses. This Peg obstinately refus-
ed to touch. She didn't want anythingI
except what her father gave her.
When the morning of her departureI
came poor Peg woke with heavyI
heart. 1t vas their first parting, andI
she was miserable.
OConnell, on the contrary. seemed
full Of life and high spirits. HeI
laughed at her and joked with her andl
made a little bundle of some thingsl
that would not go in her bag and that
he had kept for her to the last minute
They We're a rosary that had been hisI
mothers. prayer book Father Cahilll
gave him the day he was confirmed
and lastly the little miniature of An
gela. 1T wrung his heart to part with
it. but he wanted Peg to have it nearl
her. especially as she was going
among the relations of the dead wo-
man. All through this O'Connell show
ed not trace of emotion before Peg.
He kept telling her there was nothing
to be sad about. 1t was all going to
be for her good
When the time came to go the
strange pair made their way down te
the ship-tlie tall. erect. splendid look
ing man and the little rcd haired girl
IN her simple black suit and her little
black hat. with red flowers to bright
on it.
OConncll went aboard with her, and
an odd couple they looked on the sa-
loon deck. with Peg holding on to
Michael. much to the amusement Of
the passengers. the visitors and stew.
artlss
Poor stamh. loyal. honest. true lit
tie Peg. going alone to-what? Leav,
ing the one human being she cared fos
and worshipcd-hcr playmate. counsel
or. friend and father-nll in one!
O'Connell never dropped his high
spirits all the time they were together
on board the ship. He went aboard
with IaugE. and when the bell rang
for all visitors to go ashore he said
goodhy to Peg with n laugh. while
poor Pegs heart felt like u stone in
her breast. She stood sobbing up
against the rail Of the saloon deck az
the ship swung clear. She was looking
for her father through the mists Of
tears that blinded her.
Just as the boat slowly swept past
the end of the dock she saw him right
ut the last post SO that he could watch
the boat unintcrruptcdly until it was
out OF sight. He was crying himself
now-crying like child-and as the
boat swung away he called up: "My lit
tic Peg: Peg o. my heart!" How
she longed to get off the ship and go
back to him! They stood waving to
each other us long as they remained
IN sight.
While the ship plowed her way TO-
ward England with little Peg ON board
the man whom she was crossing the
Atlantic TO meet died quietly one morn
ing with no one near him.
The nurse found Mr.. Kingsnortk
smiling peacefully rs though asleep.
He had been dead several hours.
Near him OH the table was a cable
dispatch from New York:
My daughter sailed on the Mauretanis
today at 10 O'Clock.
FRANK OWEN O'CoNNELL.
Mrs. Chichester, whom we last saw
under extremely distressing circum-
stances In Ireland, now enters promi-
ncntly into the story. SHE was lead
ing a secluded and charming existence
in an old and picturesque villa at Scar
borough, in the north Of England. Al.
though her husband had been dead for
several years, she still chung to the
outward symbols of mourning. 1t add.
cd sOftncss to the pntrician line of
her features and touch of distinction
to her manner and poise. She had an
illustrious example Of n lifelong sor-
row, and, being ever loyal, Mrs. Chit
chester retained the weeds of widow
hood and the Grape Of affection ever
present.
She was proud indeed of her two
children, about whom she had written
so glowingly to her brother Nathaniel
Alaric was the elder. In him Mrs.
Chichester took the greater pride. He
was SO nearly being grcat-even from
lnfancy-that he continually kept bis
mother III Il condition Of expectant
wonder. He was nearly brilliant at
school. At college he almost got his
degree. He just missed his blue at
cricket, and but for an unfortunate
ball dribbing over the net ut a critical
moment in the semi-final Of the tennis
championships lie might have won the
cup. He was quite philosophic about
1t, though. and never appeared to re-
prOach fate for treating him so shah
lilly.
lie was always nearly doing some
thing, ana kept Mrs. Chichester in a
lively condition Of trusting hope and
occasional disappointment. She knew
he would arrive" some day-come into
his own. Then all these half reward
cd efforts would be invaluable in the
building Of his character.
Her daughter. Ethel, on the other
hand. was the exact antithesis to Alar-
ic. She had never shown the slightest
interest in anything since she had first
looked up ut the man Of medicine who
ushcred her into the world. She re-
gardcd everything about her with the