The Parker post., 1917-01-27
TEMPERAMENTAL PEGGY
BY LOUISE OLIVER.

was dying away when Peggy cOvertly
slipped into the sun parlOr and drew
the curtained French door shut be-
hind her. She had seized the first
opportunity to get away, from the hot,
crowded drawing room into the invit-
ing cool, green recesses.
But she was disappointed in her
search for solitude, for a man in.
stantly rose from the depths of a
wicker chair and bowed courteously.
Il beg your pardon painted
Peggy"
''Don't apologize, please! It's pleas
ant to be disturbed, sometimes. And
1t is up to me to eliminate myself
from the scenery if you wish to be
alone"
mo, don't CO." she begged, and
smiled so prettily that Jack Park need
ed no second invitation to remain. The
applause started again and grew so in
sistent that Peggy held up hand.
Listen! They want another encore.
Aren't they greedy!"
II wish Gardner would give it to
them and keep them quiet he said.
II don't believe she WILL" she an
swered getting in a low chair beside
a fountain full of goldfish and dabbing
her hands in the water. "Sit down
and let's talk. This is more fun than
their stupid old musicale. 1 don't care
If you are host. You probably are,
you appear to be so very much at
hOme."
Il am at home, but not host" he
answered finally. 81 hate musicales,
too. I'm Jack Park and have the
honor of being Jessie's brother. Jes-
sic is Mrs. Crixton-Payne."
"Can you sing?"
"Oh, not to speak of! I can a lit
tle."
"Will you sing Alabama Coon for
me some day?"
"Gladly!" Then, suddenly looking
out over the grounds she exclaimed,
who is that funny fat old man?"
He followed her eyes. 'That is 1
think, Gardner's business manager"
Really! What bore to have to
travel around with an uninteresting
person like that. 1 suppose he DOM
ineers over her and won't let her
eat this, that or the other thing while
he stuffs himself, and makes her walk
five miles every day while he rolls
around in automobiles.
Awful !" declared Jack. "Let's go
out and give him a punch and dump
him into the lake."
Peggy giggled. Maybe he'll be gone
when we get there!''
Jack held the door and they soon
found themselves on the terrace.
They came to the end of pergola
and below them spread the lake.
On bench hundred yards or so
away sat the little fat man putting a
cigar. The lake was directly be-
meath him.
"Shall I?' asked Jack eagerly.
She hesitated, then nodded impul-
sively.
So, tiptoeing through the shrubs,e
Jack grabbed the bench in both hands.
suddenly tilted it toward the water and
splash! The little man was in.
Jack came back grinning. "He can't
drown. It's only four feet there.
Come on, let's go over to the sum-
merhouse and hunt up the kids.
So, leaving their victim to dry out
as best he could, they climbed the hill
to the little rustic summerhouse,
where three children in charge of a
nurse were having a glorious time.
The baby held it's little arms up to
Peggy. "You darling" she cried lift
ing it. Baby gurgled with delight.
Peggy buried her face in the soft lit
tie neck. Lets take her back with
u.s." she begged.
"Pll take good care of her!'' smiled
Peggy to the nurse as she started
down the hill with her burden. "TIl
have to hurry" quickening her pace.
"I'm-Im expected at the house. Will
you please tell me the timer
"Four-thirty," he answered, looking
at his watch. "Can't you stay just a
little longer?'' he begged.
QlQ INTEND 10, but I've, changed
my mind. Let's &c in and hear the
rest of the music. Maybe Gardner
will sing something you can under
stand.'
"But what shall we do with the
baby?"
'Take her aleng!"
"Just as you say" he agreed doubt
fully. "You go in and I'll join you in
a minute"
Five minutes later Jack Park re-
turning through the big hall heard a
familiar song, "Mammy's Little Ala
bama COon," coming from the crowd
ed drawing room.
He looked through the door and
there beside the piano, her arm thrown
around the baby, stood Peggy singing.
Her hair curled in pretty confusion,
her dress was rumpled and smudge
Of chocolate showed near the dimple
in her cheek.
"Hush-a-by, my iii pickaninny," she