The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-19
tCONTINUED.l

the past month
He forced Peg gently into a chair.
Have you ever wondered at the real
reason you We're brought here to this
house and the extraordinary interest
taken in you by reiations who until
month ago mad never even bothered
about your existencrY"
81 have. indade," Peg answered
"Rut whenever I've asked any one I've
always been told It was me uncle's
wish"
And II was Indeed his keenest de-
sire Just before his death was to atone
in some way for his unkiudness to your
mother"
"Nothin' could do that" and Pegs
lips frightened
That was why he sent for yon."
''Sendin' for me won't bring me poor
mother back to life. will itY'
AT least We must respect his inten
tons He desired that YOU should be
given the advantages your mother had
when she was Il girl
I'm Justice to yourself" proceeded
Jerry. You must know that he set
aside the sum of tl,Um II year to be
paid to the lady who would undertake
your training"
Peg sprang up and walked across to
her aunt and looked down at her.
"A thousand pounds\a year. She
turned to Jerry and asked: Does she
get thousand a year for abusin' me?
Well. what do We think of that?" cried
Peg. gazing curiously ut Mrs. Chiches
ter. "A thousand pounds a year for
maxim ME miserable. an the poor dend
man thnkin' he was doin' me favor."
II tell You this" went on Jerry. "be.
cause don't want you to feel.that you
have been living on charity. You have
not"
Peg suddenly biazed up:
well. I've been made to feel It" and
she glared Iassionately at her aunt
Pegs anger gave place to just as sud
den a twinge Of regret as she caught
sight of Ethel. white faced and star
across to Ethel and buried her face on
her shoulder and wept ms she walled:
why wasn't told: I'd never have
stayed. Why wasn't told?"
And Ethel confurtcd her
Don't cry, dear" she whispered.
Don't. The day you came here We
were beggars. Yon have literally fed
and housed MS for the last month"
Poor Mrs. Chichester looked at her
daughter reprnachfully
Peg CRASHED the full meaning of Eth
els words:
And will We have nothin' If | 60
away?"
Peg persisted:
"Tell me- are Sc ralely dependin OH
me! Spake to me Because il We are
] won't 90 I'll stay with ye.
wonldnt see We heggars for the
wurrld I've been brought up amongst
them. an ! know what 1t is"
Suddenly she took Ethel by the
shoulders and asked in voice so low
tha' zone uf the Others heard her:
"as that the reason We were goin'
last night
Ethel tried Ia stop her
The truth ilumined Ethel's face. and
Peg saw it and Nv
Holy Mary. !" cried "And 1t
was | was drlviE " , It. Ye felt the
insult Of il every time ye met me. as
ye said last night Sure. If Id known.
dear. Id never have hurt ye.
wouldn't. Indade | wouldn't!"
She turned to the others
There. it's all settled I'll stay With
We. nunt. an yp can tarhp me anything
We like VIII some one ask Jarvis 10
bring back my bundles an MichacI2
I'm goin to stay
Jerry smiled approvingly at her.
Then he said:
That is just whatl would have ex.
pected you to do: but. my dear Peg.
there's no need for such sacrifice"
Sure. why not:" cried f'eg excited.
ly. Let me sacrifice meself. feel
like It this mint
There is no occasion"
He walked over to Mrs. Chichester
and addressed her:
Il came here this morning with some
very good news for you. happen to
be one of the directors of Gifford's
bank. and am happy to say that 1t
will shortly reopen Its doors. and all
the depositors' money will be available
for them In little while"
Mrs. Chichester gave a cry Of 10Y.
"Oh. Alaricw she exclaimed. MY
darling Ethel.''
"A panic In American securities. In
which we were heavily interested,
caused the suspension of business" ex-
planned Jerry The panic is over.
The securities are rising every day.
Well soon be on easy street again."
Jerry looked at Peg She caught bis
eve and smiled. but It had a sad wist.
fnlness behind It.
"Sure. they don't want me now. I'd
better take me cab. Good day to ye."
And she started quickly for the door.
Jerry stopped her
There is just one more condition Of
Mr. Kingsnorth's will that you must
know. Should you go through your
rourse of trimming satisfactorily to the
nge Of twenty.one you will inherit the
sum of $4,000 year."
when I'm twenty-one get f5O0O
year?'' gnsped Peg
"If you carry out certain conditions"
AN what are they?
Satisfy the executors that you arc