The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1921-12-29
DESIGNING PEGGY {
BY MILDRED WHITE.
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-"A' "esS7A" @Ne"spapeE Onlon.
Tommy sat disconsolate. The coax
lngs OF his setter dog, and the invit-
ing appearance of a new waiting road
ster brought no interest to his re-
Gently desolated life-NitA Warren
had thrown him over. 1t was un-
believable, but true. Nita, who had
walked up the hill with him to school
when her dark hair, now so myster-
iously coiffured, hung in simple curls
to her shoulders. Why, it had always
been understood that Tommy was to
be Nita's escort: even the school teach
er paired them off at picnics. And
now came along this new bounder,
and carried her away. Not literally,
Of course. Nita still graced her fathers
home and dooryard but the bounder
was usually to- be found in the door,
yard too. Only last night she had
tossed her head at Tommy's humble
invitation to the movies, and had an
swered, mo thank you. Rupert Hodge
and are going into the city to attend
summer opera" Rupert Hodge, with
his thirty years had college days be-
hind him. Tommy had not been able
to make the college which occupied
SO many of his youthful dreams.
Mother had been left alone, just after
poor Dad had managed to put by
enough for that coveted college course.
The money had to be used then for
their daily living instead-the father
less Tommy and his mother-and
Tom had gone to work. That is the
name his employers in the small town
bank affectionately called him. They
thought a lot Of Tom. Now when he
had been able at least to purchase the
shining roadster, and mother, as well
as he, had looked forward to pleasant
rides with Nita's CHEEKY companion
ship to make them more pleasant, Nita
turned him down for an engaging in
terloper. Tommy was tired of "try-
ing to butt in there" he told his
mother when she warned him that
faint heart ne'er won fair lady,"
Then, all at once, the new girl came
along. Even Tommy's weary eyes
WlOeneQ at sight OF her.
"How do you do?" greeted this
girl, rs Mrs. Thornton al home?"
Mrs. Thornton was Tommy's mother.
Il am boarding for the summer
with Mrs. West, the Professors
wife," explained the fair call
er, "and she sent me down to see if
we could have some Of your flowers
for tea party. Mrs. West thought
that Tonmy-do you happen to be
Tommy?-would pick them for her"
Tom was aroused to action. certain
ly you may have them," he replied,
''Mrs. West Is mothers friend. I'll get
an armful for you right now Mother is
out"
The girl sat down on the step
to await. "All right she agreed.
Here are your flowers" he said
brusQuely 3d.
*'Thanks," the visitor casually &C.
cepted. Couldn't you take them over
In your carr"
Disturbingly, she flashed a smile at
him. 1t was regular movie actress
smile. "And take me too," she asked.
Il am Peggy O'Moore," announced
the young woman, as if this were SUI
ficient reason for her assurance. Tom
flushed in sudden realization of his
rudeness. "Why-yes," he stammered.
"Get in the car please, 1 will be glad
to drive you back But so delightful
was Miss Peggy O'Moore's companion
ship, that Tom drove around the park
on the way, and there they met Nita.
She stared, coldly surprised at the
presence of charming young woman
at his side, and her quick brown-eyed
glance took in the armful Of garden
flowers, and Toms own happy ire
sistible smile. Apparently Nita re-
sented this lightness; the man walking
at her side had to speak twice in
order to gain her attention.
attractive girl that,' Peggy O'Moore
remarked with laughing question in
her Irish blue eyes.
"She is" With establishment Tom
found himself making confession. "She
was my girl, before that boun-
der came and took her away"
Thereafter, Tom Thornton was to be
constantly seen in Miss Peggy O'Moore's
company. Nita after meeting the two
at various places of entertainment,
decided virtuously that it was her
duty to warn her old friend against