The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-06-24
HUNTING FOR PEGGY
BY OLIVER GRAY.

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John Salisbury Oliver put down the
evening paper folded to the closing
Etock quotations and took out his
watch. He had a dinner engagement,
and 1t was time to dress. Ordinarily
he would have been bored, for the fine
ridge Of his spirit had been wearing
dull Of late at all affairs of the sort
He had wearied OF caioling and fat.
terry. artful mothers and fond daugh.
tiers, for, having made up his mind al
twenty that he was going TO be rich
and deciding never TO marry until he
Was, he had spent almost half Of his
life in peaceful solitude. And having
made good his decision OF getting rich
"a the amount af seven figures one eaa
tasily understand his popularity now
This particular evening. however
was different. He was playing a new
tame, and the game was this: He had
decided to marry at last 1t seemed
that the Office was running without
him these days. And so In his lone
Ainees II occurred to him to travel And
The thought of travel suggested com.
panion. ana companionship suggested
marriage. and marriage, Of course, de-
3nanded a woman. That was the new
game-to find the person he would
kAooss for his wife.
II all sounds much more simple
Than 1t was, for John had an ideal. Not
n 70 ftxr co. <
but real one He wanted someone as
nearly as possible like Peggy Mcclure,
the merry. teasing little companion of
his boyhood.
He rang for Clemens to come and
lay out his things. equalize the shower
20 10 and arrange articles for shaving.
The real ceremony of barbering and
dressing he attended to himself.
+ Clemens came in. I'm Just wonder
ing. sir" he snid. appearing with box
under his arm. IF there hasn't been a
mistake. sir. These things came from
the tailor's an hour ago and there's
nothing hut those two overcoats you
discarded while ago"
1.-The dickens /"
That's what I think, sir. I remem-
Der you laid out three of your best
suits to be pressed. ! put them in a
box and told Della TO give them to the
tnilor's boy. This is what came back,
SIR"
1.-TWO overcoats, you say. Why, I
know now / promised Mrs Wilson
ITO send some warm things to the dis
rensary, and on your day off / gave
them TO the boy who would call Evil
IDENTITY they have got mixed. My three
new perfectly good spring suits are
probably making some poor fellow mis-
cradle In the fresh-air camp. while my
tailor Is evidently In despair at having
customer WHO wears overcoats Il
year ont Of date. What shall / do,
clemcnsT
ED ''can't you call the lady sir7"
Eyes, can do that But think TIL
70 instead. They're open all evening,
Hrea'f 'hey?''
II should shy all the time. sir. for
WORK like that"
$50 should /, Clemens. It's funny,
ISM II. that the suits / ordered for
.ravo'jng should go travelling without
nee. ! wonder where they are. I'll
Ike g find them. It's such A nuisance
IL be fitted FOR Others"
The lights of the dispensary We're
still showing brightly ss his limousine
drew mp 70 the curb. Inside In the
waiting room woman was taking
down names and addresses OF people
on cards. II was 10 her that John
made his appeal.
"1f you wait I'll get the nurse who
takes charge. She's likely to know
about your box" And going into an
other room she returned with per
son whose features were completely
hidden by an antisertic mask, white
Ike her cap. apron and the rest of her
Immaculate uniform.
II remember The Clothes" she said
Instantly. Il was sure Of mistake,
they appeared to be so new. They
haven't been sent out yet. They are
UP In the supply room. But If you
have the overcoats with you, I know
where one is needed right away. I
cannot tall yen HE number. hut cun
take you there IL you have time 70
wait. n OF duty In ten minutes The
man goes away carly in the morning"
So John sat down and waited and
then went out TO ask the chauffeur
something about the new car. Then
the nurse came out dressed for the
street and John held the door open for
her to get In.
sTt's West Fortieth street, near
Tenth avenue" she said. settling back
Into the seat.
And John, repeating the address,
get in also and shut the door, Then
suddenly the street light caught the
CLINT of strand of hair. silver white.
waving softly over the little nurses
ear. and John. STOPPING. looked for the
the first time fully into her face.
PEGGY" he cried. y might know
I'D find you on an errand of mercy.
THINK heaven, I've found you l cam
not believe you're real,
You've taken long time hunting,
John" softly.