The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-01-26
CHAPTER TX.
PEGS Future.

whole difficulty of Pegs future
" was placed in OConnell's
hands. But the means were so
distasteful to him that he hesitated
| about even telling her.
He came in unexpectedly in the early
afternoon of that day and found let
ter waiting for him with an, English
postmark. Peg had eyed 1t curiously
of and on for hours. She had turned
it over and over in her fingers and
looked at the curious. angular writing
and felt little cold shiver run up and
down her as she found herself wonder
ing who could be writing to her father
from England.
When O'Connell walked in and pick
ed the letter up she watched him ex :.
citedly. She felt. for some strange rea-
son, that they were going to reach a
crisis in their lives when the seal was
broken and the contents disclosed
Superstition was strong in Peg. and all
that day she had been nervous without
reason and excited without cause.
O'Connell read the letter through
twice, Slowly the first time. quickly the
second. A look of bewilderment came
across his face as he sat down and
stared at the letter in his hand
Who is it from at all?" asked Peg
very quietly. though she was trembling
all through her body.
Her father said nothing
Presently he read it through again.
"It's from England. father isn't it?"
queried Peg. pale as ghost.
"Yes. Peg" answered her father. and
his voice sounded hollow and spirit
less.
IL didn't know ye had friends in Eng
land" said Peg. eying the letter.
II haven't" replied her father
Then who is it from?" insisted Peg.
now all impl tience and with a strange
fear tugging at her heart
O'Connell looked up at her as she
stood there staring down at him. her
big eyes wide open and her lips part
ed. He took both of her hands in one
of his and he'd them all crushed to-
gether for what seemed to Peg to be a
long. long while. She hardly breath.
ed. She knew something vas going
to happen to them both.
At last O'Connell spoke. and his voice
trembled and broke:
Peg, do yc remember one mornin'
years an years ago. when | was 60
in TO speak in County Mayo. an we
started in the cart at dawn. an we
thraveled for miles an miles. an we
came to great big crossin' where
the roads divided an there was no
signpost. an We asked each other
which one We should take. an we
couldn't make up our minds. an | left
1t to you. an We picked II read. an It
brought us out safe and thrue at the
spot we were maxim for? Do you re.
member it. PegF'
Faith I do. father. | remember it
well. Ye called me yer little guide
and said ye'd follow my road the rest
of yer life. An it's many's the laugh
We had when I'd take We wrong some
times afterward.' She paused What
makes We think of that Just now, IA
tber:''
He did not. answer.
as it on account o that letther?" she
persisted
at is. Peg" He spoke with difficult
ty. as if the words hurt him to speak
We've got to a great big crossin'
place again where the roads branch
| OF, an l don't know which one to
take"
Are We goin' to lave it to me again,
father?" said Peg.
That's what | can't make up me
mind about. dear. for it may be that
yell go down one road and me down
the other
NO, father" Peg cried passionately,
that we won't. Whatever the road
we'll thravel it together"
"I'll think it out by meseIf, Peg.
Lave me for awhile-alone. want to
think it out by meself-alone."
"If it's separation ye're thinkin' of
make up yer mind to one thing--that
I'll neverlave you. Neverw
Take Michael out for a spell and
come back in half an hour. and in the
meanwhile I'll bate it all out in me
mind"
She bent down and Strengthened the
burrows In his forehead with the tips
Of her fingers and kissed him and ther
whistled to the wistful Michael. and
"A -.
street toward the little patch of green
where .the children played and among
whom Michael was prime favorite.
Sitting, his head In his hands, his
eyes staring into the past. O'Connell
was facing the second great tragedy
of his life.
| While o'Connell sat there in that lit