The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1915-06-24

The chief executor OF the late Mr..
Xlngsnurth's VIA"
An who Is thatT'
"Mr Jerry. Peg!'
You al executOrT
Il am. Sit down-here In our midst
and know why you have been here ah
the past month
He forced Peg gently into chair.
"Have you ever wondered at the real
reason you were brought here to this
house and the extraordinary interest
taken III you by relations who until
month ago had never even bothered
about your existence?"
Il have, indade." I'eg answered
but whenever I've asked any one I've
always been told it was me uncle's
wish"
"and it WAS Indeed. his keenest de
sire just before his death was to atone
In some way for his unkindness to your
mother"
"Nothin could do that" and Pegs
lips frightened.
"That was why he sent for you"
"Seudin' for NE won't bring me poor
mother back to life. will it?'
AT least we must respect his inten-
tions. He desired that you should be
given the advantages your mother had
when she was Il girl.
In justice to yourself" proceeded
Jerry. you must know that he set
aside the sum Of f1OOO Il 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 Il thousand year for abusin' me?
Well. what do ye think Of that cried
Peg. gazing curiously at Mrs. Chiches-
ter. "A thousand pounds year for
maxim me miserable, an the poor dead
man thinkin' he was doin' me a favor!
Il 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 passionately at her aunt.
Pegs anger gave place to just rs sud
den twinge Of regret as she caught
sight of Ethel. white faced and star.
ing at her compassionately. She went
across to Ethel and buried her face on
her shoulder and wept as she walled:
why wasn't told? I'd never have
stayed! Why wasn't l told?"
And Ethel comforted her
Don't cry. DEAR" she whispered.
Don't. The day you came here We
were beggars. You have literally fed
and housed us for the last month
Poor Mrs. Chichester looked at her
daughter reproachfully.
Peg grasped the full meaning of Eth
els words:
"And will ye have nothin' if l &c
away:"
Peg persisted:
Tell me-are ye ralely dependin' OIL
me: Spake to me. Because if ye arc
won't go. I'll stay with ye.
wouldn't see We beggars for the
wurrld. I've been brought up amongst
| them. an | know what it u.s."
Suddenly she took Ethel by the
shoulders and asked in a voice so low
thu zone of the others heard her:
..is that the reason ye were goin
last night!"
Ethel tried to stop her
The truth illumined Ethel's face. ant
Peg saw it and l-rnw.
Holy Mary ~ cried. "And il
was was drivin ;r % it. Ye felt tn,
insult Of it every time ye met me. a:
We said last night Sure, if Id known
dear. Id never have hurt ye.
wouldn't. Indade wouldnt.''
She turned to the others.
There. it's all settled. I'll stay will
ye. aunt, an ye can tache me anythin
We like. Will some one ask Jarvis t.
bring back my bundles an Michael
I'm goin' to stay!'
Jerry smiled approvingly at her
Then he said:
That is just what would have ex
pected you to do: but. my dear Peg
there's no need for such sacrifice"
"Sure. why not:" cried Peg excited
ly. Let me sacrifice meself. fee
like It this mint
There Is no occasion"
He walked over to Mrs. Chicheste
and addressed her:
II came here this morning with som
very good news for you. happen t
be one of the directors of Clifford
bank. and l am happy to say that
viii shortly reopen its doors. and a
the depositors' money will be availabl
for them in little while"
Mrs. Chichester gave a cry of joy.
"Oh, Alaric!" she exclaimed. m
darling Ethel!'
"A panic in American securities. I
which we were heavily int crested
caused the suspension of business" e,
: planned Jerry. ''The panic is owe
The securities are rising every da.
We'll soon be on easy street again"
Jerry looked at Peg. She caught hl
eye and smiled. but 1t had sad wis
fulness behind It.
''Sure, they don't want me now. L
better take me cab. Good day to ye
And she started quickly for the door.
Jerry stopped her.
There is just one more condition
MFR. Kingsnorth's will that you mn
know. Should you go through yo'
course of training satisfactorily to Il
age of twenty-one you will inherit Il
sum Of 5000 year"
when I'm twenty-one ! get E5.O
n year, gasped Peg.
IF you carry out certain conditions