Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1925-06-19
SEVENTEENTH INsTALLMENT

Brace up, foolishl got over that
sort of trash when 1 was twelve years
old. ="
TN never get over it." said Mar
garet. and it must have been blow to
family pride to have Peake bowed SO
low. We've been engaged so long.
When we were just children he asked
me-right in front of our house there
49," The memory came with gush OF
.aars and the girl whom the town called
e,ld sat with covered eyes, crying out
h..r misery.
"Fudge!'' cried Flora Lee a little
shrilly, although she had come to her
knees and had taken poor Margaret
head in her arms. whats man or
two-or three or four? I've kicked
better ones than JEFF Carter out over
night and been engaged again before
breakfast. Menl There are RATS of
EN-, darlin'. And there's not one of
EN- worth crying over. That's been
your trouble, Peg. You've stuck to
one so long all the rest have faded away.
Every girl ought to have two or three
at least to fall back on. Come on,
Peg! know of six perfectly good
beaux 1 can get you before Friday
night"
Buff Margaret had heard she showed
no sign of it. Drying her eyes bravely
she sat back and gazed drearily around
the lovely, frivolous room which was
cluttered with stockings, underwear,
slippers, novels just as it had been in
the days when her mother occupied it.
IT'S the humiliation, she whispered
at last.
"Of being jilted9" On the last word
Flora Lees voice broke into a harsh
laugh. Don't you think I've ever
been Tilted? Twice, at least. It's
game, Peg, and you've got to be good
loser. Laugh it off. That's all it is
a joke -Jeif'll come around again,
crawlin'. But listen to me, honey.
Don't give him the time of day. Have
SO many engagements he can't even
come to tea. l never did like that
Carter boy. His ears stick out. What
time is it now, hOn?"
From her angle Margaret could see
the big clock in the hall whose hands |
she read aloud: "Six minutes of eleven"
"Oh, Lawdr' exclaimed Flora Lee, |
beginning to braid her bright hair as a |
preliminary to her bath, II hare got to |
rush. Or Bunny'H get so mad he'll |
forget he's asked me to be Marquesa.
Has he really" Margaret was
out of her ObsessiOn.
Officially. So darned officially that
[ almost wore out the English die
1 mary, findin' stylish words. Poor |
J'nnyl First he asked Grandad.
) III know how Grandad acts when you
a him anything. The Chief O.
tie Peakes passed the buck to Daddy
ard you know how Daddy likes to agree
with everybody. So I'm ticketed for
l weddin' after Bunny goes home and
Ousts the news to the King of Spain"
I'm so glad!' said Margaret and
gave her sister the appropriate kiss.
She was glad for Flora Lee and glad for
her father; for the younger daughter
had given no little worry to the House
Of Peake.
well, BUnnys high toned person.
lge back home" drawled Flora Lee.
And he's promised to take me to
60 G-the Kings his thirty-second
aeHsin. And think of having a house
n Paris and another in Madrid and
mother at Cannes. How could I help
)eing happy, Peg?" ,
hllOW yOu Will DGg SdlQ VI Ill BdICgg
tut there was no warmth in her tone. Z
At that instant old Linda came in
With coffee and hot rolls and little /
ausages on a tray. Under her arm she t
arried the morning papers which she t
Iropped in her efforts to adjust the {
breakfast on a cluttered gilt table. /
us cungratulatin' in ordah, Miss Flo G
4ee?" she asked, breathless with the t
zig news. I
II reckon So" said the f1ancee and
Used old Linda on both her cheeks.
t was ceremonial kiss such as the
somanoffS rendered their serfs upon
ccasiOns. 1
well" said Margaret at the door 6
nd Outwardly she had become as self r
assessed as was her habit-"Ill see 6
on at the Sycamore Club. And for II
eaven's sake be on timer +,
And buck up" chimed her sister Il
rom her golden barge. O.
To this Margaret made no reply. But
he look she threw over her shoulder e;
-as quick, brave and terribly wounded. fl
AS she started down the stairs Flora te
zee was already unfolding the morning 81