The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-09-04
PEG WOFFINGTON
BY CHARLES READE
Condensation by Edward II. Crosby

was recognized by Peg as one who had |
hefriended her in the early days of |
poverty. Triplet was playwright
and scene painter and to give him as
slstance Peg offered him a commits
sion to. paint her portrait. Pegs visits
to Triplets studio were told by Sir |
Charles to Vane, as evidences of Pegs
faithlessness, but the falsity of the |
charges was soon proved and Vane's /
1nfatuation was stronger than ever. |
Sir Charles had almost abandoned |
hope of defeating his rival until one
day, when returning to London from |
the country he gave assistance to /
woman whose coach had become dis |
abled.
The beauty Of the lady so impress |
ed Sir Charles that he sent his serv-
ant to learn her identity and the man !
brought back word that she was Mrs |
Ernest Vane. A deadly weapon was
thus placed in Sir Charles hands, but
he refrained from making public his
information until the proper moment !
banquet had been arranged by Mr..
! Vane in honor of Peg Wellington and
Sir Charles managed to have Mrs.
| Vane appear when the festivities
! were at their height.
His scheme was successful and the
! effect of Mrs. Fane's advent was cleo
! trio. Mr.. Vane, not knowing that his
| Wife was in town. was filled with con-
sternation but Pegs tact did not
desert her even in this trying moment
and she introduced those present as
members of the nobility. Mrs. Vane
was not suspicious and accepted the
situation in good faith, but Triplet,
who had brought verses in honor of
/ les Offi Il h1l..
| Of Mrs. Vane's identity revealed the
true facts and the wife was heart
! broken at her husbands Inconsistency
! AS for Peg she was furious at the
deception placed upon her. She fully
believed that Mr.. Vane was free to
, WOO her and then in a moment her
dreams were rudely shattered and her
j faith in mankind destroyed. She de-
termined to take desperate revenge.
| She would keep Nane at her side in
spite of the wife and then, when he
was firmly in her tolls, she would pub
licly discard him. Filled with these
thoughts she went to Triplets studio
where the portrait he had painted was
to be exhibited.
The first glance showed the picture
to be wretched failure and even
Triplet acknowledged his defeat. But
critics were already approaching the
studio. Peg with a sudden inspir-
alton cut the face from the portrait
and having arranged the draperies so
/ that her body would be concealed, she
placed her own features in the aper-
ture. The comments of the connois.
seurs was ludicrous, some declaring
there was not the slightest resem-
blance to the original. others that the
flesh tints were imperfect and still
others that the drawing was out of all
proportions. When the opinions had
been expressed, Peg came from behind
the easel and expressed her views in
tue Milesian manner.
Peg remained after the others had
departed and told Triplet of her inten.
tons toward Mr.. Vane. Unexpectedly
Mrs. Vane knocked at the door of the
studio. She had been followed by Sir
Charles Pomander and had sought
refuge from his attentions. Peg had
10 desire to meet Mrs. Vane but
there was not sufficient time to es
cape so once more she went behind
: the easel and placed her face in the
portrait. Mrs. Vane, after explaining
| her presence, noticed the picture and
} exclaimed:
You are a great artist, Mr. Triplet
the likeness actually breathes. Oh
that she were here, instead of this
wonderful image OF her. l would
speak to her. l am not wise OF
: learned but orators never pleaded as
would plead to her for my Ernest's
heart"
She paused for a moment and then
> addressing the picture, she continued:
: "Oh yes you are beautiful, you are
| gifted and the ewes of thousands
on your every word and look What
5 wonder that he, ardent. refined anC
genial, should lay his heart at your
feet. I cannot take him from you, bu,
' oh be generous to the weak and give
2 him back to me, Give him back tc
. me, beautiful, terrible woman and
will love you longer than men car
t love-"
Suddenly she started back with a
: wild scream.
1T is alive" she cried and running
: to Triplet hid her face on his
shoulder.
: For Peg had been so affected by the
piteous appeal of the heart-broken wo
f man that with all her selfcontrol she
5 could not check the tears which
coursed down her cheeks. Peg order
: ed Triplet to leave the room and
ICh Tic WV NOuleu "cIc dlOu6 reg
! turned to Mrs. Vane and said calmly
5 Il trust, madam, you will do me the
justice to believe l did not know Mr.
| Vane was married."
2 Il am sure of it," replied Mrs. Vane
l "You are as good as you are gifted
/ Peg then promised to SO degrade
A herself in Vane's eyes that he woulc
. leave her In disgust, but to this plar
l Mrs. Vane refused to agree. Finally
: Peg arrayed herself in Mrs. Vane's
!. cloak and hood threw a note from