Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-07-02
SWEET SEVENTEEN
By RITA SULLIVAN.


C. 1870. By MeCIurs Newspaper szndisAfel
Peggy. the way you act yoz'd think
that you were six instead Of sixteen
The ~reproving voice Of her Older
brother aroused Peggy from her alb
sorbing task of fitting together the
parts Of a picture puzzle.
Raymond, I'm seventeen I guess
you forget" was her indignant an
swer.
"Well. I do wish that you would act
like ii, then. What would Dick think
Of you II he saw you nowT'
Her brother spoke with all the
dignity and "man Of the world" air
which he had acquired a short time
previous when he had fully realized
that be had the right to vote.
Dick was a former schoolmate OF
Raymond's. and from the first he had
been Peggy's champion when she was
just a little schoolgirl with golden
curls and short dresses. Now that she
was older. their friendship Was fast
becoming stronger.
"oh. he wouldn't care. Ray Hardy
he's used to it. and"
"Now, listen here, Peggyf What
would you say IL 1 told you that Dick
is getting tired Of your childish Ways
WY, only the other day-weIl. ]
shan't say any more. But really.
Peggy, when win you ever grow upY'
Peggy was made speeches. By the
suggestion that Dick was getting tired
Of her.
For the rest Of that day Peggy was
very mysteriously busy in her room.
and even her mother was cautioned
not to enter; and that evening, with
smiling eyes. she again surveyed her
self in the mirror.
ooh, you are perfectg she told her
self frankly in the mirror. I'D
know you If / met you on the street"
With a sudden impulse that the
thought suggested she started toward
her desk and caught up the telephone.
~Oh. mother that-O-o-o." Her voice
trailed away as a plan entered her
mischievous head, for the calendar
showed that the day vas April i
With a happy little laugh. she caught
up the receiver and impatiently wait
ed for her number.
"why didn't / think Of it before. It's
such a corking ideal"
"Ohi Hello, Dick. Listen Never
mind coming all the way up 70 the
house after me tonight. III meet YOU
down at the station. Why7 On, never
mind; III tell you tonight. Yes. yes,
I'll be on time. Bye"
During the evening meal Peggy was
so quiet her brother cast suspicious
glances in her direction.
"She's up to something-wonder
what IT is?' and then the matter en-
tirely slipped his mind until. jusf Is
she rose from the table. she calmly
told her mother that she was going to
meet Dick down at the station. as il
was too much for him to come all the
way up.
A few minutes later a puzzled young
man, comparing his watch with the
station clock and finding that they
agreed. decided that, in spite Of her
promise to be on time. Peggy was late.
"who was that little Jane over there
who looked ar me so queeriyg Looked
rather familiar TO me" was his
thousht, as Peggy passed by on the
other side Of the walk, and he turned
to watch the door where she was due
to arrive.
.Congratulating herself on the sue
cess of her little joke. Peggy had Re
traced her steps and was approaching
Dick when q surprising thing hap
pened. Dick had started forward with
both hands outstretched to meet
pretty girl who had come up to him
with a little exclamation Of surprise
and pleasure. and, startled. Pesgy
watched the warm greeting which
passed between the two
She watched from there while Dick
talked to the girl. and repeatedly
guilty Peggy thought-wafched the
door
On reaching home she entered tina
sitting room, for she had decided that
she would sface the music then and
there.
To her surprise Dick was there
and the girl Then, as no n spoke
she remembered that she was stIn In
the same attire which had so com
pletely fooled Dick.
sOh, it's only Peggy she en-
claimed, throwing her ven back i'm
patiently.
awhy. Peg" came her brothers
voice, "rd never know you'll You look
stunning"
THAT must have been you that
passed me when I-ohs / See As
The full significance Of the thought
struck him Dick knew what the trouble
with Peggy was. and crossed the room
TO her side.
aOh. Peggy" pretending not to 10
tice her ley demeanor toward him
you've never met my cousin. Vera
have Your
Peegy's mother suddenly decided
that She wanted Dicks cousin to SCI
some pictures, and the two left the
room unnoticed. A few minutes later
Raw awcke TO the fact that his pres
ence was not needed any longer. bur
before he left the room he could not
resist ore parting comment:
- v-hsch ono fho Annfx