Jasper County Democrat, Volume 18, Number 59, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 October 1915 — PEG O' MY HEART [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

PEG O ' MY HEART

By J. Hartley Manners

A Comedy of Youth Founded by Mr. Manners on His Great Play of the Same Title—lllustrations From Photographs of the Play

CHAPTER XXVII. New Revelations. “'ll THY, how do you do. Sir Ger- </»/ aid?” and Hawkes went y 1 across quickly with outstretched hand. “Hello, Hawkes,” replied Jerry, too preoccupied to return the act of salutation. Instead he nodded in the direction Peg had gone and questioned: “What does she mean—going in a few minutes?’ z . “She is returning to America. Our term of guardianship is over. She absolutely refuses to stay here any longer. My duties in regard to her, outside of the annual payment provided by her late uncle, end today,” replied the lawyer. “I think not, Hawkes.” “I beg your pardon?” “As the chief executor of the late Mr. Klngsnorth’s will 1 must be satisfied that its conditions are complied with in the spirit as well as to the letter,” said Jerry authoritatively. “Mr. Kingsnorth expressly stipulated that a year was to elapse before any definite conclusion was arrived at So far only a month has passed.” “But she insists on returning to her father,” protested Mr. Hawkes. “Have you told her the conditions of the will?” “Certainly not Mr. Kingsnorth distinctly stated she was not to know them.” “Except under exceptional circumstances. I consider the circumstances most exceptional.” “I am afraid I cannot agree with you, Sir Gerald.” “That is a pity. But it doesn't alter my intention.” “And may I ask what that intention is?”

“To carry out the spirit of Mr. Kingsnorth’s bequest” “And what do you consider the spirit?” “I think we will best carry out Mr. Kingsnorth’s last wishes by making known the conditions of his bequest to Miss O'Connell and then let her decide whether she wishes to abide by them or not.” Mrs. Chichester came into the room and went straight to Jerry. At the same time Alaric burst in through the garden and greeted Jerry and Hawkes. “I heard you were here”— began Mrs. Chichester. Jerry interrupted her anxiously. “Mrs. Chichester, I was entirely to blame for last night’s unfortunate business. Don't visit you/ displeasure on the poor little child. Please don’t!” Jarvis came down the stairs with a pained, not to say mortified, expression on his face. Underneath his left arm he held tightly a shabby little bag and a freshly wrapped up parcel. In his right hand, held far away from his body, was the melancholy and picturesque terrier, Michael. Mrs. Chichester looked at him in horror. “Where are you going with those—things?” she gasped. “To put them in a cab, madam,” answered the humiliated footman. “Your niece’s orders.” “Put those articles in a traveling bag. Use one of my daughter’s.” ordered the old lady. “Your niece objects, madam. She sez she’ll take nothing away she didn’t bring with her.” The grief stricken woman turned away as Jarvis passed out Alaric tried to comfort her. Bnt the strain of the morning had been too great. He looked cheerfully at Jerry and smiled as he said:

“I even offered to marry her if she'd stay. Couldn’t do more than that, could I?” Jerry returned Alaric's smile as he asked: “You offered to marry her?” Alaric nodded. “Poor little wretch’’’ Down the stairs came Peg and EtheL Mrs. Chichester looked at Peg through misty eyes and said reproachfully: “Why that old black dress? Why not one of the dresses I gave you?” “This is the way I left me father, an’ this is the way I’m goln* back to him!” replied Peg sturdily. “lou’re not going. Peg,” said Jerry quietly and positively. "Wno’s goln’ to stop me?” "The chief executor of the late Mr. KihggfftJrth’s will.” “An’ who Is that"?’ “Mr. Jerry, Peg!” “You an executor?” “I am. Sit down—here In our midst—and know why yop have been here all the past month.” He forced Peg gently Into a chair. “Have you ever wondered at the real reason you were brought here to this house and the extraordinary Interest taken in you by relations who until a month ago had never even bothered about your existence?” “1 have, indade,” Peg answered. “But whenever I’ve asked any one I’ve

always been told it was me uncle’s wish.” “And it was. Indeed, his keenest desire just before bis death was to atone in some way for his unkindness to your mother.” “Nothin’ could do that.” and Peg’s lips tightened. “That was why he sent for you.” “Sendin’ for me won’t bring me poor mother back to life, will It?” “At least we must respect his intentions. He desired that you should be given the advantages your mother had when she was a girl. “In justice to yourself,” proceeded Jerry, “you must know that he set aside the sum of £I,OOO a year to be paid to the lady who would undertake your training.” Peg sprang up and walked across to her aunt and looked down at her. “A thousand pounds a year!” She turned to Jerry and asked: “Does she get a thousand a year for abusin’ me? Well, what do ye think of that?” cried Peg, gazing curiously at Mrs. Chichester. “A thousand pounds a year for makin’ me miserable, an’ the poor dead man thinkin' he was doin' me a favor!” “I tell you this,” went on Jerry, “because I don’t want you to feel that you have been living on charity. You have not” Peg suddenly biazed up: “Well, I’ve been made to feel It” and she glared passionately at her aunt Peg’s anger gave place to just as sudden a twinge of regret as she caught sight of Ethel, white faced and staring at her compassionately. She went across to Ethel and buried her face on her shoulder and wept as she walled: “Why wasn't I told? I’d never have stayed! Why wasn’t I told?” And Ethel comforted her.

“Don’t cry, dear,” she whispered. “Don't The day you came here we were beggars. You have literally fed and housed us. for the last month.” Poor Mrs. Chichester looked at her daughter reproachfully. Peg grasped the full meaning of Ethel’s words: “And will ye have nothin’ If I go away?’ Peg persisted: . , “Tell me—are ye ralely dependin’ on me? Spake to me. Because if ye are I won’t go. I’ll stay with ye. I wouldn’t see ye beggars for the wurrld. I’ve been brought up amongst them, an’ 1 know what it is.” Suddenly she took Ethel by the shoulders and asked in a voice so low that none of the others heard her: 'Was that the reason ye were goln’ last night?” Ethel tried to stop her. The truth illumined Ethel's face, and Peg saw It and knew. “Holy Mary!” .- he cried. “And it was I was drivin’ ye to it. Ye felt the insult of it every time ye met me, as ye said last night Sure, if I'd known, dear, I’d never have hurt ye, I wouldn’t. Indade I wouldn’t!” She turned to the others. “There, it’s all settled. I’ll stay with ye, aunt an’ ye can tache me anything ye like. AVill some one ask Jarvis to bring back my bundles an’ Michael? I’m goin’ to stay!” Jerry smiled approvingly at her. Then he said: “That is just what I would have expected you to do; but, my dear Peg, there’s no need for such a sacrifice.” “Sure, why not?” cried Peg excitedly. “Let me sacrifice meself. I feel like it this minit.” “There is no occasion.” He walked over to Mrs. Chichester and addressed her: “I came here this morning with some very good news for you. 1 happen to be one of the directors of Gifford’s bank, and I am happy to say that it will shortly reopen its doors, and all the depositors’ money will be available for them in a little while.”

Mrs. Chichester gave a cry of joy. “Oh, Alaric!” she exclaimed. “My darling Ethel!” “A panic in American securities, in which we were heavily Interested, caused the suspension of business,” explained Jerry. “The panic Is over. The securities are rising every day. We’ll soon be on easy street again.” Jerry looked at Peg* She caught his eye and smiled, but It had a sad wlstfulness behind It - “Sure, they don’t want me now. I’d better take me cab. Good day to ye.” And she started quickly for the door. Jerry stopped her. “There is just one more condition of Mr. Kingsnorth’s will that you must know. Should you go through your course of training satisfactorily to the age of twenty-one you will Inherit the sum of £5,000 a year.” “When I’m twenty-one I get £5,000 a year?” gasped Peg. “If you carry out certain conditions.” “An’ what are they?” “Satisfy the executors that you are worthy of the legacy.” “Satisfy you?” "And Mr Hswlcao.”

Peg looked at the somewhat uncomfortable lawyer. “Mr. Hawkes’ Oh-o! Fndader' She turned back to Jerry. “Did he know about the five thousand? When I’m twenty-one?” drew the will at Mr. Kingsnorth’s’dictation,” replied Jerry. “Was that why ye wanted me to bo engaged to ye until I was twenty-one?'* she asked the unhappy lawyer. “Come, come, Miss O’Connell,” said Hawkes. “What nonsense?”

“Did you propose to Miss Margaret?” queried Jerry. “Well,” hesitated the embarrassed lawyer—“ln a measure—yes.” “That’s what it was,” cried Peg, with a laugh. “It was very measured. No wonder the men were crazy to kapo me here an’ to marry me." Then Jerry spoke to the others, “Now may I have a few moment alone with my ward?” Peg stared at Jerry incredulously. “Ward? Is that me?” “Yes, Teg. lam your legal guardian —appointed by Mr. Klngsnorth.” “You’re the director of a bank, the executor of an estate, an’ now ye’re me guardian. What do ye do with yer spare time?” Jerry smiled and appealed to the others: “Just a few seconds—alone.” “Will you write to me?” urged Jerry when he and Peg were alone. “What for?” “Peg, my dearl” He took both of her hands in his and bent over her. Just for a moment was Peg tempted to yield to the embrace. Had she done so the two lives would have changed in that moment. But the old rebellious spirit came uppermost, and she looked at him defiantly and cried: “Are you goln’ to propose' to me too?” That was the one mistake that separated those two hearts. Sir Gerald drew back from her—hurt Jarvis came quietly in: “Mr. Hawkes says, miss, if you are going to catch the train’’— “I’ll catch It,” said Peg impatiently, and Jarvis went out Peg looked at Jerry’s back turned eloquently toward her as though In rebuke. “Why In the wurrld did 1 say that io him?’’ she muttered. “It’s me Irish tongue.” She went to the door and opened it noisily, rattling the handle loudly, hoping he would look around. Under her breath she murmured: "Goodbyi Misther Jerry, an’ God bless ye, an’ thank ye for bein’ so nice to me.” And she passed out. In the hall Peg found Ethel and Hawkes waiting for her. They put her between them In the cab, and, with Michael in her ( arms, she drove through the gates of Regal Villa never to return. (TO BE CONTINUED.)