Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1915-05-20

erately on the table az she said senten-
ti0usly:
"she would stay with us here-if yea
were-engaged to her"
The shock had come. His mothers
terrible alternative was now before
him in all its naked horror. A shiver
ran through him. The thought Of q
man with future as brilliant as his
being blighted at the outset by such a
misalliancel
He felt the color leave his face.
Engaged! Don't, mother, please
He trembled again. "Heavens-engag
ed to that tomboyy'
There was no escape. Mrs. Chiches.
ter held him firmly.
"She will have $4,000 a year when
she is twenty -one-f5. 1000 year-f5OOO
of the very best!"
She took him in her arms and press.
ed his reluctant and shrinking body to
her breast. 'Think what 1t would mean.
dear-your family preserved and a
brand snatched from the burning"
"Ihat's just 1t. It's all right saving
the family. Any cove'll do that at
pinch. But do not see myself as a
brand snatcher.' Besides. | am not
altogether at liberty"
"What?" cried his mother
"Oh. I've not committed myself to
anything. But I've been three times
to hear that wonderful woman speak
once on the platform. And people are
beginning to talk. She thinks no end
of me. Sent me whole lot of stuff
last week-'advanced literature, she
calls 1t. I've got em all upstairs.
Wrote every word Of 'em herself. New.
er saw woman who can talk and
write as she can. And outside of all
that I'm afraid I've more or less en-.
couraged her. And there you archie
whole thing in nutshell"
Alaric thought for few moments.
The result of this mental activity
took form and substance as follows:
"She Is not half bad loolsing-at times
when she's properly dressed"
"I've seen her look almost beauti-
fulv' cried Mrs. Chichester.
Alaric suddenly grew depressed.
shocking temper, mater! and he
shook his head despondently.
1.-THE woman who loves always
obeys!" cried his mother.
"Ah, there we have It'll" And Alaric
sprang up and faced the old lady.
'There we have it! Does she love rne?"
Mrs. Chichester looked fondly at her
only son and answered.:
GLOW could she be near you Tor tho
last month and not love your
Alaric nodded:
"Of course there Is that. Now, let
me see-just get solid grip on the
whole thing. II she loves me-and tax.
Ing all things into conslderatlon-for
your sake and darling Ethel's-and for
my-that is
AS mother and son walked slowly
toward the house they looked up, and
gazing through a tiny easement Of
the little mauve room was Peg. her
face white and drawn.
Peg decided to take walk in the
garden. AS she reached the foot OF
the stairs Alaric came in quickly
through the windows
Hello, Margaretw he cried cheerful
ly, though his heart was beating nerv-
ously at the thought of what he was
about to do; and across his features
there was a sickly pallor. What have
you got there, all tucked away?" he
ventured as the opening Question that
was to lead to the all important one.
Peg held up book for him to see
"The only thing I'm takin' away that
didn't bring with me-"
"a book, eh?'
'"That's what 1t is-a book" ana she
began to 60 upstairs.
Taking it awayY" he called up to
her.
"That's what I'm doin'," and she still
went on up two more steps.
you're not really going away-cous
ln?" he gasped.
II am replied Peg
"Just a moment" he cried, stopping
! her just by an oriel window. She
paused in the center of the glow that
radiated from its panes.
What ls it?" she asked impatiently.
She wanted to go back to her room
and make her final preparations.
Aiaric looked at her with what he
meant to he alteration in his eyes.
"Do you know I've grown really
awfully fond Of your" His voice quiv.
cred and broke. He had reached one
Of the crises of his life.
NO didn't know it. When did ye
and 1t out:"
Just now-down in that room
when the thought flashed through me
that perhaps you really meant to leave
us. 1t went all through me. Pom my
honor 1t did. The idea positively hurt
me--really hurt me-"
Ibid it, nowY' laughed Peg. ''Sure
an I'm glad Of It,"
"Glad2 GladY he asked In astonish
ment.
II am. didn't think anything could
hurt ye unless 1t disturbed yer COM
fort. An l don't see how my goin'
will do that"
"Oh, but 1t WILL" persisted Alaric.
REALLY it will"
"sure now?" Peg was growing real.
ly curious. What was this odd little
| fellow trying to tell herr
Ala11c felt that the moment had now
i really come.
CHAPTER XVI.
| AIario, Peg and Mr.. Hawkes..
~ OuS1N," said Alaric to Peg, and
his voice dropped to the ca.
~ ressing note of wooer,
.tcn11sft1 do ynu knnw 1 nm