The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1944-01-13

departed for a canoe trip in the
Canadian wilderness, leaving no adj
dress behind him. Which seems
rather stupid of her.
As matter of fact, Peggy's
'NO" had been tentative rather
than final and no one was more
surprised than she when it was
accepted as final.
So here she was now, this beautiful
morning in late September, dashing
down the stairs at the postman's
ring in the hope that at last some
word from Roger might be waiting
her.
But there was none.
Looks like your ticket applica-
tons, Bill"
"Righto. WeIl-we'll take in the
big game, anyhow"
Now disappointment in love affects
the female sex in various ways
Some fly to desperate firtations
with other men; others withdraw
into moody seclusion stunning con-
tact with the world until recovered.
Peggy did neither, but, as she
moved about on her usual round of
pleasure, she found a strange re-
action taking place within her. Love
for Roger began to turn into posi-
tive hate. Peggy came to crave a
meeting that she might show him
how little she thought of him.
November arrived with its color
full pageant of autumn foliage And
with it came memorable Saturday
afternoons when stalWart clevens
waged their hectic battles before
the cheering mu!titudes.
Peggy and Bill were in their
seats for the big game. Soon
the seats all around them were
filed. But one on Peggy's right
remained empty until the game
had started.
She subconsciousIy knew someone
had taken the empty place, felt the
presence of another, but so wrapped
up was she in the exciting game
that she paid no attention to her
neighbor.
During intermission when the
cheering was thundcrous, Peggy,
her eyes blazing with the excitement
of the game and the November
breeze, turned quiclly-and looked
straight into the familiar once-Iovcd
gray eyes of Roger Linslcy.
There was moment of utter
silence between them, none the less
intense for the thunderouS cheer
around them.
Then: 'Imagine an explorer at
a football game" Pcggy's heart
was doing strange things and she
was going to make it behave if she
had to be downright nasty to Roger.
"You remember Bill?" she asked,
as Roger remained silent. But when
she turned her brother had disap-
peared.
"Oh, ycs-Bill!' Roger stared at
the empty space. Must have
shrunk-I rcally-don't see him"
Peggy flushed. That was the
trouble with Roger He thought he
had a sense of humor.
He was here a moment ago"
She turned to scan the crowd.
Il really must see Bill. He was
so interested in my trip. You know
when l wrote him about the fishing
he said he wanted to make just
such a trip some day"
Peggy stared at him. YOU
WrOte-Bill?"
But Roger was suddenly talking
steadily, tenderly.
"See, here, Peggy darling. That
trip was planned just to give me
chance to think things out. You
see, I had been trying for two years
to the best of my ability to earn
your love. | failed. | had faint
hope that absence might prove more
my advocate than my presence evil
IDENTITY had l had had it out with
Bill. 1t seems there was a chap
some one named Burton or Barton
who seemed to be the favored one.
Bill was quite sympathetic, but he
didn't think | had a chance. He
thought my trip splendid idea
for my own good--lf nothing more.
I'm leaving tonight. l still love you
too much to enjoy seeing you with
someone else. Strange" he added
with the whimsical smile that did
strange things to PEGGY, "that we
should be seated together,"
poan, oa,ab+ bar hre,tb rb;s
was f,te She FORGOT all the
n we ,hinoS she had manned
&c sov All tho cutting remarks
! ha,, IL, Co..