The Benson signal., 1920-04-10
LILACS AND A
LADY.
By CRAWFORD LUTTRELL.

brother interest that he showed his
own sister, Anne. He tweaked her
ear and made fun Of the little line of
freckles that busted her aristocratic-
looking nose. He told her about his
intermittent spaSms of love for vari-
GUS girls, most of whom were visit
ing favorftes. In other words, Gordon
loved so many that Peggy felt there
was some balm for her own heartache
in that very symptom. No affair had
ever lasted long enough to cause her
any real anxiety.
She was having a cup Of tea with
Anne late one spring afternoon, both
of them seated on big tufted dav-
enpOrt that was drawn up Hospitality
before CHEEKY little blaze that seemed
to take the chill out of the wide living
room, when Gordon came in.
"Hello, girls! I'm just in time for
some jam cake, huh? Say, Peg, I sure
did like that new hat saw you wear
ing on F street today. Sorry couldn't
stop and take you for a spin, but had
rich old prospect from Podunk or
some other equally famous place, and
out buying it some other enterprising
automobile salesman might beat me to
it. put the deal over and sold road
ster besides. Hence my ability to
leave the shop early and play the role
of gentleman of leisure"
q fyun (riys ri
and helped himself generously to cake
that was piled in thick. luscious slices
on the tea cart. He pushed the cart
toward Peggy. 'Pour me some tea,
child! I need refreshment. How did
you like that girl had at the dance
last night? She's regular girl, be-
lieve me! She's as bright as a dollar
and she has good looks, too. Did you
ever see such eyes and such wonderful
hair?"
"Pshaw, Gordon, you've heard that
she is worth a cool Million" said Anne
laughingly. "That accounts for your
ideas of the golden tint in her hair and
the sparkle in her eyes. You're think
ing what that cash will do to help out
in these days of the Fl. G. L."
The young fellow set down his empty
cup and looked around quiZzically at
his sister "Well, being rich won't keep
me from loving her, of course, Miss
Romantic. / am going to take her to
the theater tonight and then supper at
the club. What are you folks dOing?"
sOin k0 hn q
dance with jim Winter himself. Do
you know, Peg, Jim's quite mad about
you? I'll bet he proposes tonight" !"
Gordon turned suddenly. "Jim Win
ter! Gosh, he's got all the money there
IS, girls. And that home! It's pal
ace !"
peg has wonderful frOck to wear,
orchid with touches Of turquoise about
it and a huge ostrich fan, turquoise,
too" Anne told him. "YOu know Jim
confded to me last night, Peg, that he
thought you were the prettiest girl in
this town. I'd like to hear what he
will have to say about you tonight IN
that creation"
Gordon cupped the girls chin in his
hand and turned her face to the light.
"Tll swear, Peg, you are pretty,
freckles and all Look at me! Let's
see your eyes !" he demanded.
Peggy felt the red creeping up from
her beating throat. She put her little
teeth together in an effort to keep her
chin from quivering. He was SO casual
about it; she must never by any chance
let him know that those level gray
eyes Of his shook her heart as the wild
March wind outside tossed the bur-
geoning boughs of trees.
Suddenly there was strange, dawn
ing light In those same gray eyes that
were so close to her own.
"Well, they are pretty, aren't they?"
asked Anne, watching the two with
little knowing smile on her lips.
Almost instantly, before he could
frame a reply, Peggy stood up. "rll
| have to run along now," she said
breathessly. She reached down for
her big silver gray fox scarf that she
had tossed on a chair nearby.
All at once, courage born of that
| strange look that had lighted GOrdOn's
eyes for one brief second, possessed
| her. "If I decide to be Mrs. Winter,
Anne. shall I call you tonight, even if
| it is late?'
81 want to be the very first to know,
YOU DEAR" Anne acknowledged.
''You're silly if you don't marry Jim
with his good looks and all that money
You'll be real princess out Of fairy
talew
"I'll take you home" said Gordon.
''My car is on the drive"
won't it make you late for your en-
gagement?" suggested Peggy. ITS
nearly seven now," glanclng at her
| wrist watch.
"That won't matter" exclaimed
| Gordon mechanically.
an run her home in your car, bud"
offered Anne maliciOusly. "YOu can
be dressing while I am gone. You'll
have to have dinner, too, you know
Gordon was struggling into a light
| +OncOat "Raadv Peep" he questioned