The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1916-01-20
PEGGy's Mr.. HUSH
sy JANE OSBORN.

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There had been but one reason for
Vera Maidstones hesitation in accept
ing her sisters invitation to come and
take care of the "incorrigible Peggy"
while she and her husband went to the
exposition.
"Of course, I know you have not
wanted to visit us since your break
with Jimmy next door," her sister had
written. "You probably feel that he
would think you were putting yourself
in a position to make up. But three
years has made a big difference.
know you have completely forgotten
him and he is quite an old bachelor.
and 1 am sure he won't be at home
much of the time So please do come.
Little Peggy is not safe to be left
alone with the nurse"
So Vera had packed her trunks and
gone to take care of Peggy. 1t was
hard, very hard, for her to revisit the
scenes Of her acquaintance with James
Brown, and as she actually arrived on
the scene she realized that she had not
forgotten the episode so completely as
she had hoped.
1t was a week after her sisters de-
parture and Vera had had little time
for reverie. For she had discovered
that the care of the charming child
Peggy was enough to keep any grown
woman's mind occupied during waking
hours.
She was sitting in the library Of the
old city house, reading By the subdued
| light Of the afternoon sun shaded by
the soft silk hangings at the windows.
Lend me 'raser, Aunt Vera?"
Peggy was sitting on the floor at her
aunt's feet leaning over her pad.
Vera tossed rubbertopped pencil
down to the child.
"Muvver doesn't let me have 'rasers
any more" Peggy said smiling. That's
cause I ate needed rubber one day.
You know about needed rubbers, Aunt
Vera? like to eat rubbers."
Vera read on without making any
comment.
Il am drawing you q picture, Aunt
Vera. a picture Of Mr.. Hush. That's
what l call him because every time
spoke about the people next door muv'
yer just said hush. And he is the
incest man--nicer than anyone in the
world but you, Aunt Vera. That's why
I am drawing you a picture of him
He's Just like any other man, so III
have to make him like the picture
did of father for you. Except Mr.
Hush hasn't any prickly brush on his
lip that bites you when he kisses you
like father. He kissed me today when
was there. I asked him for two
kisses so could bring one with the
cookie to Aunt Vera, and he said that
you wouldn't take the kiss Aunt Vera
do you think I am good drawer
What's the matter? Don't you like
the picturef
Vera was leaning back in the chair
the book closed and her eyes lowered
For minute she didn't know whether
to laugh or to cry. but with bound
the incorrigible Peggy was in her Lar
with the picture she had drawn.
Vera collected herself and looked
severe.
Peggy Jones. l thought you
mother said you never went to see thu
people in the house next door. Doe,
nurse take you? How do you get In?
| "Oh. no. Aunt Vera, nurse doesn'
take me. She doesn't know go.
Just crawl through under the wall q
the back of the garden. But don't sa,
anything about II to muvver. caus
nurse might 'ketch II did and, be
: sides. whenever ASK her about thos
people she says hush
Say, Aunt Vera, that man hash
got any little girls like me and h
hasn't any lady In his house like mu,
= yer or anything. He says he.is dread
, fully lonesome. He says there WAS
lady once who was going to come an
stay with him and play on his plan
and sing to him and-anG everything
but she got mad at him, she did, an
now he is going to live alone all hi
life In his house, and he's such mic
o man and maybe II you are a goo
e auntie to me I'll take you In to Sc
Y him some time before muvver get
. back"
o vera was noiuing the incorrfgfbl
Peggy close to her. but as she listene
to her story she kept her face turne
away from the child.
T. Say Aunt Vera, is 1t most 81
e o'clock? Cause ! forgot to tell 20
It that nice Mr.. Hush said he was CON
l. ing to see us when he came HON
It from down town tonight. He said
O would be six O'Clock, but IL stage
n up l could see him. He said he wan
ed to come to see my Aunt Vera onl
he was afraid she wouldn't let hin
But said you would. Now, Aur
:, Vera. don't tell him l ate the cook
he sent you"
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