The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1919-12-27

BY MARGARET WILDER.


Fl Peggy was excited and happy. Sit
ting before the big mirror, she brushed
out the tangled curly hair, singing TO
herself. Tonight, oh, what fun That
great big marvellous dance she had
looked forward to for the last three
weeks was really about to happen. -
Before her ON a chair lay the blue
evening dress and slippers, and they
actually seemed to match her shining
eyes.
"Oh, mamma" she cried, as the door
\ sorcned, I'm just crazy TO go--why--
why mamma, what is it,"
Surprise and alarm were mingled IN
Pcsgy's voice. Her mother, sweet and
young looking came to her daughters
side and put her arm around peggy's
waist.
Darling, II can hardly tell you,
oh, Peggy, what if should ask you
to give up that dance tonight?"
Peggy's eyes lost some Of their glow.
why mamnn-whats happcned?"
she manAgcd to say.
Mrs. Palmer's voice broke little.
Your Aunt Alice is i'll out in Chi
caso., just received this telegram
| from Uncle Jack, and he wants me to
| come there tonight And--and-yOu
know, Peg, l can't leave n two-ycar
old baby alone in the house and since
! he is not well anyway, hate TO en-
trust him to neighbor, yet | hate
Peg, hate to keep you home!"
I PcGgy's heart seemed to be sinking
within her, but her sweet lips turned
aud smiled at her mothers wistful
! face.
Run right along, mamma. OF course
III stay with Bob Boy. Give my love
to Aunt Alice, and just make her get
| we'll. Probably knowing you are near
will do her more good than any
amount of medicine
Mrs. Palmer kissed her daughter
| several times, and Peggy understood
the deep sympathy and appreciation
which her dear little mother could not
express in words.
At eight O'clock that night all was
still in the Palmer house. Peggy sat
by little Bob Boys crib, musing. The
music was starting now, she knew. She
could picture the orchestra jaEzing
away at their many different instru
mcnts, and she wondered what the
girls were wearing, and how pretty
they looked.
Bob Boy was sleeping peacefully.
Peggy's mother heart went out TO her
tiny brother and she was glad hun
drcd times over that she had stayed
with him, instead of leaving such
warm little bundle with some careless
neighbor. But she could not help that
dull ache in her heart, In spite OF
everything, but not a tear passed her
eyes.
An hour dragged by, and the house
was still as a mouse. Peggy leaned
over her little brother and kissed him,
Strengthened the cool sheet under his
pink chin and then tip-toed quietly
down the stairs. She went to the par
Tor window and looked out. What n
night! A glorious moon hung low In
the sky, and every little star twinkled
and firted with her as If trying TO en-
tice her out into the night. As she
looked she saw tall. slender soldier
boy limping along the sidewalk. She
rested her head against the window
sash and her thoughts flew back over !
the space of a whole year. She, too, |
had had q Soldier hoy. but he had moi |
been her sweetheart. They had not |
known each other long enough for that. |
Yet why had she watched the papers
for every battle fought. in hopes of
seeing his name, and why had she felt |
that stab of keen disappointment when |
the postman had failed TO bring even
one of those longed-for letters? She
he approached with dreamy, wistful
eyes, and not until he had actually
turned and came up her front steps
did she realize the truth. She heard
the bell as in dream; then the color
rushed into. hen. face, and she went
quickly to the door. .--.+
The boy entered and looked intently
into Pegs flushed face.
Peggy! Arc you surprised?"
His voice was eager as he awaited
her reply. Peggy Couldn't speak. She
didn't trust herself just then. s.Yg
He continued: II hope you don't
mind my running in this way. Our 4
ship arrived this afternoon. 1 have a I
day or so to go home in before leave ;
for camp. My ticket is for the one
o'clock train tonight" I;
Peggy suddenly took his big hand in {
hers. 49,. it"@ 4ss gr-u
Roy, why didn't you write ever?" ]
"Because," replied Roy slowly, "just l
one little girls image has been in my {
mind for this past ycar-it was yours, /
'eg--I didn't believe you carcd~-so--
Sol was afraid to write for fear I'd c
say too much.' t.s54. G
Suddenly Peg was in his arms. $
"You-never, never could say too :
nuch!' She was halflaughlng, half. 7
obblng. aA ttc, usi5 .. ej I
Late that night after Roy had left a
'eg received Il telegram. The crisis :
vas past--Aunt Alice would get WE'LL J
and they would pack mother off q
lpme tomorrow. q
|