PEGGY STEWARTNAVY GIRLAT HOME

BY

GABRIELLE E. JACKSONAUTHOR OF "SILVER HEELS, " "THREE GRACES"SERIES, "CAPT. POLLY" SERIES, ETC. 

WITH FRONTISPIECE BYNORMAN ROCKWELL

1920

THIS LITTLE STORY OF ANNAPOLIS ISMOST AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED TO

H. W. H. 

WHOSE SUNNY SOUL AND CHEERYVOICE HELPED TO MAKE MANY ANHOUR HAPPY FOR THE ONE HE CALLED"LITTLE MOTHER"

CONTENTS

CHAPTER

 I. SPRINGTIDE II. THE EMPRESS III. "DADDY NEIL" IV. IN OCTOBER'S DAYS V. POLLY HOWLAND VI. A FRIENDSHIP BEGINS VII. PEGGY STEWART: CHATELAINE VIII. A SHOCKING DEMONSTRATION OF INTEMPERANCE IX. DUNMORE'S LAST CHRISTMAS X. A DOMESTIC EPISODE XI. PLAYING GOOD SAMARITAN XII. THE SPICE OF PEPPER AND SALT XIII. THE MASQUERADERS' SHOW XIV. OFF FOR NEW LONDON XV. REGATTA DAY XVI. THE RACE XVII. SHADOWS CAST BEFOREXVIII. YOU'VE SPOILED THEIR TEA PARTY XIX. BACK AT SEVERNDALE

CHAPTER I

SPRINGTIDE

"Peggy, Maggie, Mag, Margaret, Marguerite, Muggins. Hum! Half a dozen ofthem. Wonder if there are any more? Yes, there's Peggoty and Peg, to saynothing of Margaretta, Gretchen, Meta, Margarita, Keta, Madge. Mygoodness! Is there any end to my nicknames? I mistrust I'm a verycommonplace mortal. I wonder if other girls' names can be twisted aroundinto as many picture puzzles as mine can? What do YOU think about itShashai!" [Footnote: Shashai. Hebrew for noble, pronounced Shash'a-ai. ]and the girl reached up both arms to draw down into their embrace thesilky head of a superb young colt which stood close beside her; acreature which would have made any horse-lover stop stock-still andexclaim at sight of him. He was a magnificent two-year-old Kentuckian, faultless as to his points, with a head to set an artist rhapsodizingand a-tingle to put it upon his canvas. His coat, mane and tail wereblack as midnight and glossy as satin. The great, lustrous eyes held aliving fire, the delicate nostrils were a-quiver every moment, thefaultlessly curved ears alert as a wild creature's. And he WAS halfwild, for never had saddle rested upon his back, girth encircled him orbit fretted the sensitive mouth. A halter thus far in his career hadbeen his only badge of bondage and the girl caressing him had been theone to put it upon him. It would have been a bad quarter of an hour forany other person attempting it. But she was his "familiar, " though farfrom being his evil genius. On the contrary, she was his presidingspirit of good. 

Just now, as the splendid head nestled confidingly in her circling arms, she was whispering softly into one velvety ear, oh, so velvety! as itrested against her ripe, red lips, so soft, so perfect in their molding. The ear moved slightly back and forth, speaking its silent language. Thenostrils emitted the faintest bubbling acknowledgment of the whisperedwords. The beautiful eyes were so expressive in their intelligentcomprehension. 

"Too many cooks spoil the broth, Shashai. Too many grooms can spoil acolt. Too many mistresses turn a household topsy-turvy. How about toomany names, old boy? Can they spoil a girl? But maybe I'm spoiledalready. How about it?" and a musical laugh floated out from between thepretty lips. 

The colt raised his head, whinnied aloud as though in denial and stampedone deer-like, unshod fore-hoof as though to emphasize his protest; thenhe again slid his head back into the arms as if their slender roundnessencompassed all his little world. 

"You old dear!" exclaimed the girl softly, adding: "Eh, but it's abeautiful world! A wonderful world, " and broke into the lilting refrainof "Wonderful world" and sang it through in a voice of singularly, haunting sweetness. But the words were not those of the popular song. They had been written and set to its air by Peggy's tutor. 

She seemed to forget everything else, though she continued tomechanically run light, sensitive fingers down the velvety muzzle soclose to her face, and semi-consciously reach forth the other hand tocaress the head of a superb wolfhound which, upon the first sweet notes, had risen from where she lay not far off to listen, thrusting aninsinuating nose under her arm. She seemed to float away with her song, off, off across the sloping, greening fields to the broad, blue reachesof Bound Bay, all a-glitter in the morning sunlight. 

She was seated in the crotch of a snake-fence running parallel with theroad which ended in a curve toward the east and vanished in a thin-drawnperspective toward the west. There was no habitation, or sign of humanbeing near. The soft March wind, with its thousand earthy odors andpromises of a Maryland springtide, swept across the bay, stirring herdark hair, brushed up from her forehead in a natural, wavy pompadour, and secured by a barrette and a big bow of dark red ribbon, the longbraid falling down her back tied by another bow of the same color. Theforehead was broad and exceptionally intellectual. The eyebrows, matching the dark hair, perfectly penciled. The nose straight and clean-cut as a Greek statue's. The chin resolute as a boy's. The teeth whiteand faultless. And the eyes? Well, Peggy Stewart's eyes sometimes madepeople smile, sometimes almost weep, and invariably brought a puzzledfrown to their foreheads. They were the oddest eyes ever seen. Peggyherself often laughed and said:

"My eyes seem to perplex people worse than the elephant perplexed the'six blind men of Hindustan' who went to SEE him. No two people everpronounce them the same color, yet each individual is perfectly honestin his belief that they are black, or dark brown, or dark blue, or deepgray, or SEA green. Maybe Nature designed me for a chameleon but changedher mind when she had completed my eyes. "

Peggy Stewart would hardly have been called a beautiful girl gauged byconventional standards. Her features were not regular enough forperfection, the mouth perhaps a trifle too large, but she was "mightilypleasin' fer to study 'bout, " old Mammy insisted when the other servantswere talking about her baby. 

"Oh, yes, " conceded Martha Harrison, the only white woman besides Peggyherself upon the plantation. "Oh, yes, she's pleasing enough, but if hermother had lived she'd never in this world a-been allowed to run wild asa boy, a-getting tanned as black as a--a, darky. "

Martha was a most devoted soul who had come from the North with hermistress when that lady left her New England home to journey to Marylandas Commander Stewart's bride. He was only a junior lieutenant then, butthat was nearly eighteen years before this story opens. She had not seenmany colored people while living in the Massachusetts town in which shehad been born and her experience with them was limited to the very fewwho, after the Civil War, had drifted into it. Of the true Southernnegro, especially those of the ante-bellum type, she had not thefaintest conception. It had all been a revelation to her. The devotionof the house servants to their "white folks, " to whom so many hadremained faithful even after liberation, was a never-ending source ofwonder to the good soul. Nor could she understand why those old familyretainers stigmatized the younger generations as "shiftless, no-account, new-issue niggers. " That there could be marked social distinctions amongthese colored people never occurred to her. 

That generations of them had been carefully trained by master andmistress during the days of slavery, and that the younger generationshad had no training whatever, was quite beyond Martha's grasp. Coloredpeople were COLORED PEOPLE, and that ended it. 

But as the years passed, Martha learned many things. She had her ownneatly-appointed little dining-room in her own well-ordered little wingof the great, rambling colonial house which Peggy Stewart called home, ahouse which could have told a wonderful history of one hundred eighty ormore years. We will tell it later on. We have left Peggy too longperched upon her snake-fence with Shashai and Tzaritza. 

The lilting song continued to its end and the dog and horse stood asthough hypnotized by the melody and the fingers' magnetic touch. Thenthe song ended as abruptly as it had begun and Peggy slid lightly fromher perch to the ground, raised both arms, stretching hands and fingersand inclining her head in a pose which would have thrilled a teacher of"Esthetic Posing" in some fashionable, faddish school, though it was allunstudied upon the girl's part. Then she cried in a wonderfullymodulated voice:

"Oh, the joy, joy, joy of just being ALIVE on such a day as this! Ofbeing out in this wonderful world and free, free, free to go and comeand do as we want to, Shashai, Tzaritza! To feel the wind, to breathe itin, to smell all the new growing things, to see that water out yonderand the blue overhead. What is it, Dr. Llewellyn says: 'To thank theLord for a life so sweet. ' WE all do, don't we? _I_ can put it intowords, or sing it, but you two? Yes, you can make God understand just aswell. Let's all thank Him together--you as He has taught you, and I asHe has taught me. Now:"

It was a strange picture. The girl standing there in the beautiful earlyspring world, her only companions a thoroughbred, half-wild Kentuckycolt and a Russian wolfhound, literally worth their weight in gold, absolutely faultless in their beauty, and each with their wonderfullyintelligent eyes fixed upon her. At the word "Now, " the colt raised hisperfect head, drew in a deep breath and then exhaled it in a long, trumpet-like whinny. The dog voiced her wonderful bell-like bay; thenote of joy sounded by her kind when victory is assured. 

The girl raised her head, and parting her lips gave voice to a long-drawn note of ecstasy, ending in a little staccato trill and the sameupflinging of the arms. 

It was all a rhapsody of springtide, the semi-wild things' expression ofintoxicating joy at being alive and their absolute mutual harmony. Theanimals felt it as the girl did, and surely God acknowledged the homage. Such spontaneous, sincere thanks are rare. 

"Let's go now. "

The horse's slender flanks quivered; his withers twitched with thenervous energy awaiting an outlet; the dog stood alert for the firstmotion. 

Resting one hand upon those sensitive withers the girl gave a quickspring, landing lightly as thistledown astride the colt's back, holdingthe halter strap in her firm, brown fingers. Her costume was admirablyadapted to this equestrian if somewhat unusual feat for a young lady. Itconsisted of a dark blue divided riding skirt of heavy cloth, and amidshipman's jumper, open at the throat, a black regulation neckerchiefknotted sailor-fashion on her well-rounded chest. Anything affordingfreer action could hardly have been designed for her sex. And a bonnything she looked as she sat there, the soft wind toying with the loosehairs which had escaped their bonds, and bringing the faintest rose tintinto her cheeks. It was still too early in the spring for the clear, dark skin to have grown "black as a darky's. " "On to the end ofnowhere!" she cried. "We'll beat you to the goal, Tzaritza. Go!"

At the word the colt sprang forward with an action so true, so perfectthat he and the girl seemed one. The dog gave a low bark like a laugh atthe challenge and with incredibly long, graceful leaps circled aroundand around the pair, now running a little ahead, then executing a widecircle, and again darting forward with that derisive bark. 

Shashai's speed was not to be scorned--his ancestors held aninternational fame for swiftness, endurance and jumping--but no horsecan compete with a wolfhound. 

On, on they sped, the happiest, maddest, merriest trio imaginable, downthe road to the point where the perspective seemed to end it but wherein reality it turned abruptly, leaving the one following its course thechoice of taking a sudden dip down to the water's edge or wheeling tothe right and leaping "brake, bracken and scaur. " The girl did nottighten her single guiding strap, she merely bent forward to speaksoftly into one ear laid back to catch the words:

"Right--turn!"

Just beyond was a high fence dividing the lane where it crossed twoestates. It was surmounted by a stile of four steps. There was no pausein the colt's or dog's speed. Tzaritza cleared it like a--wolfhound. Shashai with his rider skimmed over like a bird, landing upon the softturf beyond with scarcely a sound. 

Oh, the beauty of it all! Then on again through a patch of woodlandwhich looked as though a huge gossamer veil had been laid over it. Ifever pastelle colors were displayed to perfection Nature here held herexhibition. Soft pinks, pale blues, silver grays, the tenderest greenswith here and there a touch of the maple buds' rich mahogany reds, andabove and about the maddest melody of bird songs from a hundred throats. 

As the horse swung along in his perfect gait, the great dog makingplayful leaps and feinted snaps at his beautiful muzzle with a dog'sderisive smile and sense of humor, and if any one doubts that dogs havethis quality they simply don't know the animal, the girl sang at the topof her voice. 

They covered the ground with incredible swiftness and presently the lanegrew broader, giving evidence of more traffic where a wood road crossedit at right angles. Just a little beyond this point an old gentlemanappeared in sight. He was walking with his hands clasped behind him andhis head bent to examine every foot of the roadway. Evidently he was tooabsorbed to be aware of the trio bearing down upon him. He wore theclerical garb of the Church of England, and his face would haveattracted attention in any part of the world, it was so pure, sorefined, so like a cameo in its delicacy of outline, and the skin heldthe wonderful softness and clearness we sometimes see in old age. Hemust have been over seventy. 

Just then he became aware of the colt's light hoofbeats and looked up. He was tall and slight but very erect, and his face lighted up with asmile absolutely illuminating as he recognized his approaching friends. 

The girl bent forward to say:

"One bell, Shashai. " Whereupon her mount slackened his gait to thegentlest amble, but the dog went bounding on to greet the newcomer. First she dropped down at his feet, burying her nose in her forepaws asthough to make obeisance, but at his words:

"Ah, Tzaritza! Good Tzaritza, welcome!" she instantly sprang up, restedher forepaws upon his shoulders, and looked into his face with the mostlimpid pair of eyes ever seen; eyes filled with something deeper thanhuman love can ever summon to human eyes, for those have human speech tosupplement their appeal. 

"Tzaritza. Dear, faithful Tzaritza, " said the old man in the tenderesttone as he caressed the magnificent, silky head now nestling against hisface as a child's might have nestled. "Good dog. Good dog. But here arePeggy and Shashai. My little girl, warm greetings, " he cried as Shashaicame to an instant statue-like standstill at Peggy's one word, "Halt!"and she slid from his back, braced at "attention" and saluted in allgravity, the clergyman returning the salute with much dignity. Then inan instant the martial attitude and air were discarded and springingforward the girl slipped to his side, caught one hand and by a quick, graceful motion circled his arm about her waist and laid her head uponhis shoulder just where Tzaritza's had but a moment before rested, herface alight with affection as she exclaimed:

"To meet you 'way, 'way out here, Compadre!"

"'Far from the madding crowd, ' Filiola. Five miles to the good for theseold legs of seventy-four summers. They have served me well. I have nofault to find with them. They are stanch friends and have carried memany a mile. But you, my child? You and Tzaritza and Shashai? Comehither, my beauty, " and the free hand was extended to the colt whichinstantly advanced for the proffered caress. 

"Ah, thou bonny, bonny creature! Thou jewel among thy fellows. Ah, butyou possess a masculine frailty. Ah, yes, I've detected it. Oh, Shashai, Shashai, is thy heart reached only through thy stomach?" for now thecolt was nozzling most insinuatingly at one of the ample pockets of theold gentleman's top coat. Never had those pockets failed him since thedays when he had ceased to be nourished by his dam's milk, and his faithin their bounty was not misplaced, for a slender white hand was insertedto be withdrawn with the lump of sugar Shashai had counted upon and heldforth upon the palm from which the velvety lips took it as daintily as ayoung lady's fingers could have taken it. 

Three was the dole evidently for when three had been eaten Shashaigravely bowed his head three times in acknowledgment of his treat andthen turned to nibble at the budding trees, his benefactor returning toPeggy. 

"So this is heyday and holiday, dear heart, is it? Saturday'semancipation from your old Dominie Exactus when you may range wood andfield unmolested, with never a thought for his domination and tyranny. "

"As though you ever dominated or tyrannized over me!" protested thegirl. "I'd do anything, ANYTHING for you--you know that, don't you?"There was deep reproach in her voice. Then, it changed suddenly as sheasked:

"But where is Doctor Claudius?"

"In his stall, eating his fill. I wished to use my own legs today, "smiled her companion. "His are exceptionally good ones, but my own willgrow stiff if I do not use them more. "

Just then Shashai suddenly raised his head and stood with ears alert andnostrils extended. Tzaritza rose from the ground where she had droppeddown after greeting Dr. Llewellyn, and stood with ears raised, thoughneither man nor girl yet heard the faintest sound. 

"Some one's coming and coming in a hurry, " said Peggy quietly, "or THEYwouldn't look like THAT. "

As she spoke the dull thud of hoofs pounding rapidly upon soft turf wasborne to their ears, and a moment later a big gray horse ridden by alittle negro boy, as tattered a specimen of his race as one might expectto see, came pounding into sight. With some difficulty he brought thebig horse to a standstill in front of them and grabbing off his raggedcap stammered out his message:

"Howdy, Massa Dominie. Sarvint, Missy Peggy, but Josh done sont me ferter fin' yo' an' bring you back yon' mighty quick, kase--kase, de--desor'el mar' done got mos' kilt an' lak' 'nough daid right dis minit. Hesay, please ma'am, come quick as Shazee kin fotch yo' fo' de Empress, she mighty bad an'--"

"What has happened to her, Bud?" interrupted Peggy, turning to springupon Shashai's back, but pausing to learn some particulars. The Empresswas one of the most valuable brood mares upon the estate and her foal, still dependent upon her for its nourishment, was Peggy's pride and joy. 

"She done got outen de paddock and nigh 'bout bus' herself wide open onde flank on dat dummed MAS-CHINE what dey trims de hedges wid. Shebleeged ter bleed ter death, Joshi say. "

Peggy turned white. "Excuse me, please--I must go as fast as I can. Home, Shashai, four bells and a jingle!" she cried and the colt sweptaway like a tornado, Tzaritza in the lead. 

"Golly, but she's one breeze, ain' she, sah?"

"She is a wonderful girl and will make a magnificent woman if notspoiled in the next ten years, " replied Dr. Llewellyn, though the wordswere more an oral expression of his own thoughts than a reply to thenegro boy. 

CHAPTER II

THE EMPRESS

As the half-wild colt swept up to the paddock from which the valuablebrood mare Empress had made her escape, Peggy was met by one of thestable hands. 

"Where is she?" she asked, her dark eyes full of concern and anxiety. 

"Up yonder in de paster, " answered the negro, pointing to a greenupland. A touch with her heel started Shashai. A moment later sheslipped from her mount to hurry to a little group gathered around a darkobject lying upon the ground. With the pitiful little cry:

"Oh, Empress! My beauty, " Peggy was upon her knees beside the splendidanimal. 

"Shelby, Shelby, how did it happen? Oh, how did it?" she cried as shelifted the horse's head to her lap. The panting creature looked at herwith great appealing, terror-stricken eyes, as though imploring her tosave the life-spark now flickering so fitfully. 

"God knows, miss, " answered the foreman of the paddock. "We did not findher until a half hour ago. If I'd a-found her sooner it would never a-come to this. We ain't never had no such accident on the estate since_I_ been on it, and I'd give all I'm worth if we could a-just havemissed THIS one. Some fool, _I_ can't find out who, left them hedgeshears a-hanging wide open across the gate and the gate unlatched, andshe must a run foul of 'em, 'cause we found 'em and all the signs o'what had happened, but we couldn't find HER for more 'n hour, and thenTHIS is what we found. I sent Bud for you and Jim for the Vet, but we'veall come too late. " The man spoke low and hurriedly, and never for amoment ceased his care for the mare. The veterinary who had arrived buta few moments before Peggy stood by helpless to do more than had alreadybeen done by Shelby, the veteran horse-trainer who had been on theestate for years, and who loved the animals as though they were hischildren. It was evident that the Empress' moments were numbered. Shehad severed one of the great veins in her flank and had nearly bled todeath before discovered. Her little foal stood near, surprised at hisdam's indifference to his needs, his little baby face and great roundeyes, so like his mother's, filled with questioning doubt. As Peggy bentover the beautiful dying mare's head, tears streaming from her eyes, forshe had cared for her and loved her since colthood, the little foal gavea low nicker and coming up behind the girl, thrust his soft muzzle overher shoulder and nestled his head against her face, trembling andquivering with a terror he could not understand. Peggy raised one arm toclasp it around the little creature's warm neck. The Empress tried tonicker an answer to her baby but the effort cost her last breath andheart-throb. It ended in a fluttering sigh and her head lay still and atrest upon Peggy's lap. The splendid animal, which had so often carriedPeggy upon her back, the mother of Shashai, and many another splendidhorse whose fame was widely known, lay lifeless. Her little son nestledcloser to the one he knew and loved best as though begging herprotection. Peggy held him close, sobbing upon his warm neck. 

"You'd better get up, Miss Peggy, " said Shelby kindly. 

Peggy bent and kissed the great silky head. "Good-bye, Empress. I'llcare for your baby, " she said. Shelby lifted the splendid head from thegirl's lap and helped her to her feet. The little colt still huddledclose to her. 

"Have you any orders, miss, about her?" asked Shelby, nodding toward thedead mare. 

"She shall be buried in the circle and shall have a monument. We owe hermuch. Her foal shall be my charge. "

"And I reckon mine, too. If we raise him now it will be a miracle. He'sgoing to miss his dam's milk. "

"I think I can manage, " answered Peggy. "Bud, come with me. I wish youto go down to Annapolis with a note to Doctor Feldmeyer. He willunderstand what I wish to do. Ride in on Nancy Lee. Come, little one, "and with the little colt's neck beneath her circling arm Peggy walkedslowly back to the paddock from which barely three hours before thesplendid mare, now lying lifeless in the pasture, had dashed, leaving atrail of her life's blood behind her to guide those who came too late. It was all the outcome of one person's disregard of orders: One of thehands had quit his work to gossip, leaving his great hedge shearshanging carelessly across the gate, and the gate unfastened. TheEmpress, gamboling with her foal, had rushed upon them, cut herselfcruelly, then maddened by the pain and terrified by the flowing blood, had dashed away as only a frightened horse can, running until she fellfrom exhaustion. 

Peggy went back to the inclosure in which the Empress, as the mosthonored of the brood mares, had lived with her foal. The little stable, a very model of order and appointment, stood at one end of it. Sheopened the gate, intending to leave the colt in the inclosure, but hehuddled closer and closer to her side. 

"Why Roy, baby, what is it!" asked Peggy, as she would have spoken to achild. The little thing could only press closer and nicker its babynicker. Peggy hesitated a moment, then said: "It will never do to leaveyou now. You are half starved, you poor little thing. Eight weeks areNOT many to have lived. Come. " And as though he understood every wordand was comforted, the baby horse nickered again and walked close by herside. She went straight to the house, circling the garden, rich in earlyspring blossoms, to enter a little inclosure around which the servants'quarters were built, one building, a trifle more pretentious than therest, evidently that of some upper servant. As Peggy and her four-footedcompanion drew near, a trim little old colored woman looked out of thedoor. She was immaculate in a black and white checked gingham, a largewhite apron and a white turban, suggestive of ante-bellum days. Instantly noting signs of distress upon her young mistress' face shehurried toward her, crying softly in her melodious voice:

"Baby! Honey! What's de matter? 'What's done happen? What fo' yo' bringRoy up hyer? Where de Empress at?"

"Oh Mammy, Mammy, the Empress is dead. She--"

"What dat yo' tellin' me, baby? De Empress daid? Ma Lawd, wha' MassaNeil gwine do to we-all when he hyar DAT? He gwine kill SOMEBODY dat'ssartin suah. What kill her?"

Peggy told the story briefly, Mammy Lucy, who had been mammy to her andher father before her, listening attentively, nodding her head andclicking her tongue in consternation. Such news was overwhelming. 

But Mammy Lucy had not lived on this estate for over sixty years withoutstoring up some wisdom for emergencies, and before Peggy had finishedthe pitiful tale she was on her way to the great kitchen at the oppositeend of the inclosure where Aunt Cynthia ruled as dusky goddess of theshining copper kettles and pans upon the wall. 

"Sis Cynthy, we-all in trebbilation and we gotter holp dis hyer porechile. She lak fer ter breck her heart 'bout de Empress and she sho willif dis hyer colt come ter harm. Please, ma'am, gimme a basin o' fresh, warm milk. Bud he done gone down ter 'Napolis fer a nussin' bottle, butdat baby yonder gwine faint an' die fo' dat no 'count nigger git backwid dat bottle. I knows HIM, I does. "

"Howyo' gwine mak' dat colt drink?" asked Cynthia skeptically. 

"De Lawd on'y knows, but HE gwine show me how, " was Mammy Lucy's piousanswer. The next second she cried "Praise Him! _I_ got it, " and ran intoher cabin to return with a piece of snowy white flannel. MeanwhileCynthia had warmed the bowlful of milk. Hastily catching up a hugeoilcloth apron, Mammy enveloped herself in it and then hurried back toPeggy and her charge. 

From that moment Roy's artificial feeding began. Peggy raised his headwhile Mammy opened his mouth by inserting a skilful finger where laterthe bit would rest, then slipped in the milk-sopped woolen rag. After afew minutes the small beastie which had never known fear, understood andsucked away vigorously, for he had not fed for hours and the poor inner-colt was grumbling sorely at the long fast. The bowlful of milk soondisappeared, and he stood nozzling at Peggy ready for a frolic, his woesforgotten. 

"Now what yo' gwine do wid him, honey?" asked Mammy. 

"I'd like to put him to sleep on the piazza, but I'm afraid I can't, "answered Peggy, smiling sadly, for the loss of the Empress had struckdeeply. 

"No, yo' suah cyant do dat, " was Mammy's reply. "You'll be bleeged ferter put him yonder in de paddock. "

"He will be so lonesome, " said Peggy doubtfully. Just then the greatwolfhound came bounding up. She thrust her nose into her mistress' handand gave a low bark of delight. She was almost as tall as the colt, andseemed to understand his needs. She then turned to give a greeting lickupon the colt's nose. He jerked away, as though resenting the lady'sfamiliarity, but nickered softly. He had known Tzaritza from the firstmoment he became aware of things terrestrial and they had often gamboledtogether when the Empress was disinclined for a frolic. Peggy's eyesbrightened. 

"Tzaritza, attention!"

The splendid hound raised her head to look into her young mistress' eyeswith keen intelligence. 

"Come, " and followed by the hound and colt Peggy hurried back to thestables. They had brought the Empress down from the pasture and laid herupon the soft turf of the large circular grass-plot in front of the mainbuilding. The men were now digging her grave. 

"Tzaritza, scent, " commanded Peggy, stroking the Empress' neck. 

The hound made long, deep sniffs at the still form. 

"Come. " Peggy then laid her hand upon the little colt's neck. The scentwas the same. Tzaritza understood. 

"Guard, " said Peggy. 

"Woof-woof, " answered Tzaritza deep down in her throat. 

Peggy then led the way to the Empress' paddock. Roy capered through thegate; Tzaritza, with her newly-assumed responsibility upon her, enteredwith dignity. From that hour she scarcely left her charge, lying besidehim when he rested in the shade of the great beeches, nestling close inthe little stable at night, following him wherever he chose to go duringhis liberty hours of the day, for thenceforth he was rarely confined tothe paddock. 

Before the Empress was laid away Bud returned with the nursing bottle. The rubber nipples were thrust into the Empress' mouth and thus gettingthe mother scent all else was very simple. Roy tugged away at his bottlelike a well-conducted, well-conditioned baby, Tzaritza watching withkeen intelligent eyes. She soon knew the feeding hours as well as Peggyor Mammy, and promptly to the minute led her charge to Mammy's door. IfMammy happened to be elsewhere she sought Cynthia, and so had theinterest grown that there was not a man, woman or child upon the placewho would not have dropped anything in order to minister to the needs ofTzaritza's charge. 

And so passed the early springtide, Roy waxing fat and strong, Tzaritzanever relaxing her care, though at first it was a sore trial to her toremain behind with her foster-son while her beloved mistress gallopedaway upon Shashai. But that word "Guard" was sacred. 

In the course of a few weeks, however, Roy was well able to follow hishalf-brother, Shashai, and Tzaritza's freedom was restored. The trio wasrarely separated and to see Peggy in her hammock on the lawn, or on thepiazza, meant to see the colt and Tzaritza also, though Roy was rapidlyoutgrowing piazzas and lawns, and Peggy was beginning to be puzzled asto what was to be done with him when he could no longer come clatteringup the steps and across the piazza after his foster-mother. 

With the summer came word that her father would come home on a month'sleave and August was longed for with an eagerness he could not havedreamed. Everything must be in perfect order to receive him, and Peggyflew from house to garden, from garden to stables, from stables topaddock keyed to a state of excitement which infected every member ofthe household. Dr. Llewellyn smiled sympathetically. Harrison, thehousekeeper, stalked after her, doing her best to carry out her orders, while announcing that: NOW, she guessed, there would be some hope ofmaking Mr. Neil see the folly of letting a girl of Peggy's age run wildas a hawk forever and a day. She'd have one talk with him he'd do wellto take heed to or she'd know why. Mammy Lucy said little but watchedher young mistress' radiant face. It was eight months since Master Neilhad been home and deep in her tender old heart she understood betterthan any one else what his coming meant to Peggy. Harrison might have abetter idea of what was wise and best for her young charge, but Mammy'slove taught her many things which Harrison could never learn. 

Meanwhile Peggy spent the greater part of her days down at the paddock, for Shashai must be broken to saddle and bridle in order to receive hismaster in proper style. A blanket and halter might answer for the madgallops across country which they had hitherto taken, but Daddy Neil wascoming home for a month and the horses must do the place credit. 

With this end in view, Peggy betook herself to the paddock one morningbefore breakfast, saddle and bridle borne behind her by Bud. Shashaiwelcomed her with his clear nicker, sweeping up to the gate in his long, rocking stride so like the Empress'. Tzaritza with her foster-sonfollowed in Peggy's wake, Tzaritza sniffing inquiringly at the saddle, Roy pranking thither and yonder, rich just in the joy of being alive. Shashai had never quite overcome his jealousy of his young half-brother, and now laid back his ears in reproof of his unseemly gambols; Shashai'sown babyhood was not far enough in the background for him to betolerant. 

Peggy entered the paddock and Shashai at once nozzled her for hismorning lumps of sugar. For the first time in his memory they were notforthcoming, and his great eyes looked their wondering reproach. 

"Not yet, Shashai. "We must keep them for a reward if you behave well. "She slipped an arm over the beautifully arched neck and laid her faceagainst the satiny smoothness. Shashai approved the caress but wouldhave approved the sugar much more. 

"Give me the saddle, Bud. "

The little negro boy handed her the light racing saddle; a veryfeatherweight of a saddle. 

"Steady, Shashai. "

The colt stood like a statue expecting the girl as usual to spring uponhis back. Instead she placed upon it a stiff, leather affair whichpuzzled him not a little, and from which dangled two curiouscontrivances. These, however, she quickly caught up and fastened overthe back and their metallic clicking ceased to annoy him. The bucklingwas a little strenuous. Hitherto a surcingle had served to hold theblanket upon his back, but this contraption had TWO surcingles and astiff leather strap to boot, which Peggy's strong hands pulled tighterthan any straps had ever before been pulled around him. He quiveredslightly but stood the test and--a lump of sugar was held beneath hiseager nostrils, If THAT followed it was worth while standing to havethat ugly, stiff thing adjusted. 

"Now the headstall, Bud. Did you coat the bit with the melted sugar as Itold you?"

"Yes'm, missie. It's fair cracklin' wid sugar, an' onct he gits a lickob dat bit he ain' never gwine let go, yo' hyar me. "

"Now, my bonny one, we'll see, " said Peggy, as she unstrapped the bit, and the headstall without it was no more than the halter to whichShashai had been accustomed. Then very gently she held the bit towardhim. He tried to take it as he would have taken the sugar and his lookof surprise when his lips closed over the hard metal thing was amusing. Nevertheless, it tasted good and he mouthed and licked it, graduallygetting it well within his mouth. At an opportune moment Peggy slippedthe right buckle into place, quickly following it by the left one. Shashai started. 

"Steady, Shashai. Steady, boy, " she said gently and the day was won. Noshocks, no lashings, no harsh words to make the sight of that headstallthrow him into a panic whenever it was produced. Dozens of horses hadbeen so educated by Peggy Stewart. Shashai sucked at his queermouthpiece as a child would suck a stick of candy, and while he wasenjoying its sweetness Peggy brought forth lump number two. Four was hisdaily allowance, and as he enjoyed number two she let down the stirrupswhich had seemed likely to startle him. 

"Stand outside, Bud, he may be a little frightened when the saddlecreaks. " The boy left the paddock. 

"Stand, Shashai, " commanded Peggy, resting her hand upon the colt'swithers. He knew perfectly well what to expect, but why that strangegroaning and creaking? The blanket had never done so. The sensitivenerves quivered and he sprang forward, but Peggy had caught her stirrupsand her low voice quieted him as she swayed and adapted herself to hisgait. Around and around the paddock they loped in perfect harmony ofmotion. She did not draw upon the bridle rein, merely holding it as shehad been accustomed to hold her halter strap, guiding by her knees. Shashai tossed his head partly in nervous irritation at the creakingsaddle, partly in the joy of motion, and joy won the day. Then Peggybegan to draw slightly upon her reins. The colt shook his headimpatiently as though asking: "Wherefor the need? I know exactly whereyou wish to go. "

"Oh, my bonny one, my bonny one, that is just it! I know that you know, but someday someone else won't know, and if I don't teach you now justwhat the bit means the poor mouth may pay the penalty. It may anyway, inspite of all I can do, but I'll do my best to make it an easy lesson. Ohwhy, why will people pull and tug as they do on a horse's mouth whenthere is nothing in this world so sensitive, or that should be solightly handled. So be patient, Shashai. We only use it because we must, dear. Now, right, turn!" And with the words she pressed her right kneeagainst the colt, at the same time drawing gently upon the right rein. Shashai turned because he had always done so at the words and thepressure, accepting the bit's superfluous hint like the gentleman hewas. 

"Open the gate, Bud. We'll go for a spin, " ordered Peggy as she swungaround the paddock. 

"Won't yo' jump, missie?" asked Bud eagerly. The delight of his life wasto see his young mistress take a fence. 

"Not this time, " answered Peggy over her shoulder. Bud opened the gateas they came around again and as Peggy cried: "Four bells, Shashai, " thecolt sprang through, Tzaritza and Roy joining in with a happy bark andneigh. 

All so simply, so easily done by love's gentle rule. 

CHAPTER III

"DADDY NEIL"

"Stand there, little girl. Why, why--how has it come about! When did youdo it? I went away nine months ago leaving a little girl in Mammy Lucy'sand Harrison's charge and I have returned to find a young lady. Peggy, baby, what have you done with my little girl?"

Commander Stewart stood in the big living-room of Severndale, his handupon Peggy's shoulder as he held her at arm's length to look at her inpuzzled surprise. He had just experienced one of those startlingrevelations which often arouse parents to the fact that their childrenhave stolen a march upon them, and sprung into very pleasing young menor women while they themselves have been in an unobserving somnolentstate. It is invariably a shock and one which few parents escape. 

Peggy laughed, colored a rosy pink but obeyed, a little thrill ofinnocent triumph passing over her, for Daddy Neil's eyes held somethingmore than surprise, and Peggy's feminine soul detected the underlyingpride and admiration. 

"By the great god Neptune, you've taken a rise out of me this time, child. How old ARE you, anyway!"

"As though you didn't know perfectly well, you tease, " laughed Peggy, turning swiftly and nestling in his arms. The arms held her closely andthe sun-tanned cheek rested upon her dark, silky hair. The eyes weresingularly soft and held a suggestion of moisture. It did not seem sovery long ago to Daddy Neil since Peggy's beautiful mother had been inthat very room with him nestling in his arms in that same confidinglittle manner. How like her Peggy had grown in looks and a thousandlittle mannerisms. From the moment Peggy had met him at the Round Baystation to this one, he had lived in a sort of waking dream, partly inthe past, partly in the present, and in the strangest possible mentalconfusion. His memory picture of Peggy as he had left her in October ofthe previous year was of the little hoyden in short skirts, laughing andprancing from morning till night, and leading Mammy Lucy a life of it. 

In nine months the little romp had blossomed into a very charming younggirl, dainty and sweet as a wild rose in her white duck sailor suit, with its dark red collar, her hair braided in soft coils about her headand adorned with a big red bow. The embryo woman stood before him. 

"Yes, HOW old are you?" he insisted, looking at her with mingled, puzzled eyes. 

"Oh, Daddy, you know I was fourteen in January, " she said halfreproachfully. "You sent me such beautiful things from Japan. "

"Yes, but you might be eighteen now from your looks and height. Andliving here alone with the servants. Why--why, it's, it's all out oforder; you are off your course entirely. You must have someone with you, or go somewhere, or--or--well SOMETHING has got to be done and rightoff, too, " and poor perplexed Neil Stewart ran his hand through hiscurly, gray-tinged hair in a distracted manner. Peggy looked startled, then serious. Such a contingency as this incumbent upon growing up hadnever entered her head. Must the old order of things which she so loved, and all the precious freedom of action, give way to something entirelynew? Harrison had more than once hinted that such would be the case whenDaddy Neil came home and found a young lady where he expected to find alittle girl. 

"Oh, Daddy, please don't talk about that now. You've only just got hereand I've ten thousand things to tell and show you. Let's not think ofthe future just yet. It's such a joy to just live now. To have you hereand see you and hug you, and love you hard, " cried Peggy suiting heractions to her words. Mr. Stewart shook his head, but did not beggar hisresponse to the caress. It sent a glow all through him to feel that thisbeautiful young girl was his daughter, the mistress of the home he soloved, but so rarely enjoyed. 

"We'll have a truce for a week, honey, and during that time we'll donothing but enjoy each other. Then we'll take our reckoning and lay ourcourse by chart, for I'm convinced that I, at least, have been runningon dead reckoning and you--well--I guess the good Lord's been at thehelm and taken in hand my job with a good deal of credit to Himself andconfounded little to me. But it's my watch from now on. I wish yourmother were here, sweetheart. You need her now, " and Neil Stewart againdrew the young girl into his strong, circling arm. "I'd resign tomorrowif--if--well, when I resign I want four stripes at least on my sleeve toleave you as a memory in the years to come. Now show me the ropes. I'm astranger on board my own ship. "

For an hour Peggy did the honors of the beautiful home, Jerome, the oldbutler, who had been "Massa Neil's body servant" before he entered theAcademy at eighteen, where body servants had no place, hovering around, solicitous of his master's comfort; Harrison making a hundred and oneexcuses to come into the room; Mammy Lucy, with the privileges of an oldservant making no excuses at all but bobbing in and out whenever she sawfit. 

Luncheon was soon served in the wonderful old dining-room, one side ofwhich was entirely of glass giving upon a broad piazza overlooking RoundBay. From this room the view was simply entrancing and Neil Stewart, ashe sat at the table at which Peggy was presiding with such grace anddignity, felt that life was certainly worth while when one could look upand encounter a pair of such soft brown eyes regarding him with suchlove and joy, and see such ripe, red lips part in such carefree, happysmiles. 

"Jerome, don't forget Daddy Neil's sauce. 

"Yes, missie, lamb. I knows--I knows. Cynthy, she done got it made to devery top-notch pint, " answered Jerome, hurrying away upon noiseless feetand in all his immaculate whiteness from the crown of his white woollyhead to his duck uniform, for the Severndale servants wore the uniformsof the mess-hall rather than the usual household livery. Neil Stewartcould not abide "cit's rigs. " Moreover, in spite of the long absences ofthe master, everything about the place was kept up in ship-shape order;Harrison and Mammy Lucy cooperated with Jerome in looking well to this. 

"Now, Daddy, " cried Peggy happily when luncheon ended, "come out to thestables and paddock; I've a hundred things to show you. "

"A stable and a paddock for an old salt like me, " laughed her father. "Iwonder if I shall know a horse's hock from his withers? Yet it DOES seemgood to see them, and smell the grass and woods and know it's all mineand that YOU are mine, " he cried, slipping his arm through hers andpacing off with her. "Some day, " he added, "I am coming here to settledown with you to enjoy it all, and when I do I mean to let four legscarry me whenever there is the least excuse for so doing. My own havedone enough pacing of the quarter-deck to have earned that indulgence. "

"And won't it be just--paradise, " cried Peggy rapturously. 

They were now nearing the paddock. To one side was a long row of littlecottages occupied by the stable hands' families. Mr. Stewart paused andsmiled, for out of each popped a funny little black woolly head to catcha glimpse of "Massa Captain, " as all the darkies on the place calledhim. 

"Good Lord, where DO they all come from, Peggy? Have they all been bornsince my last visit? There were not so many here then. "

"Not quite all, " answered Peggy laughing. "Most of them were here beforethat, though there are some new arrivals either in the course of natureor new help. You see the business is growing, Daddy, and I've had totake on new hands. "

Neil Stewart started. "Was this little person who talked in such amatter-of-fact way about "taking on new hands" his little Peggy?

"Yes, yes--I dare say, " he answered in a sort of daze. 

Peggy seemed unaware of anything the least unusual and continued:

"I want you to see THIS family. It is Joshua Jozadak Jubal Jones'. Theymight all be of an age, but they are not--quite. Come here, boys, andsee Master Captain, " called Peggy to the three piccaninnies who werepeeping around the corner of the cottage. Three black, grinning littlefaces, topped by the kinkiest of woolly heads, came slowly at herbidding, each one glancing half-proudly, yet more or less panic-stricken, at the big man in white flannels. 

"Hello, boys. Whose sons are you? Miss Peggy tells me you are brothers. "

"Yas, sir. We is. We's Joshua Jozadak Jubal Jones's boys. I'se Gus--deol'es. Der's nine haid o' us, but we's de oniest boys. De yethers ain'nothin' but gurls. "

"And how old are you!"

"I'se nine I reckons. "

"And what is your name?"

"My name Gus, sah. "

"That's only HALF a name. Your whole name is really Augustus remember. "The "Massa Captain's" voice boomed with the sound of the sea. Augustusand his brothers were duly impressed. If Gus really meant Augustus, whyAugustus he would be henceforth. The Massa Captain had said it and whatthe Massa Captain said--went, especially when he gave a bright new dimeto enforce the order. 

"And YOUR name?" continued the questioner, pointing at number two. 

"I'se jist Jule, sah, " was the shy reply. 

"That's a nickname too. I can't have such slipshod, no-account names formy hands' children. It isn't dignified. It isn't respectful. It's adisgrace to Miss Peggy. Do you hear?"

"Yas--yas--sir. We--we hears, " answered the little darkies in chorus, the whites of their eyes rolling and their knees fairly smitingtogether. How could they have been guilty of thus slighting their adoredyoung mistress?

"Please, sah, wha's his name ef taint Jule?" Augustus plucked up heartof grace to ask. 

"He is Julius, JUL-I-US, do you understand?"

"Yas--sir. Yas--sir. " Another dime helped the memory box. 

"And YOUR name?" asked the Massa Captain of quaking number three. 

There was a long, significant pause, then contortions as though numberthree were suffering from a violent attack of colic. At length, aftertwo or three futile attempts he blurted out:

"I'se--I'se Billyus, sah!"

There was a terrific explosion, then Neil Stewart tossed the redoubtableBillyus a quarter, crying: "You win, " and walked away with Peggy, hislaughter now and again borne back to his beneficiaries. 

Peggy never knew where that month slipped to with its long rides onShashai, Daddy Neil riding the Emperor, the magnificent sire of all thesmall fry upon the place, from those who had already gone, or were aboutto be sent out into the great world beyond the limits of Severndale, toRoy, the latest arrival. Neil Stewart wondered and marveled more andmore as each day slipped by. 

Then, too, were the delightful paddles far up the Severn in Peggy'scanoe, exploring unsuspected little creeks, with now and again a bag inthe wild, lonely reaches of the river, followed by a delicious littlesupper of broiled birds, done to a turn by Aunt Cynthia. There were, too, moonlight sails in Peggy's little half-rater, which she handledwith a master hand. As a rule, one of the boys accompanied her, for themainsail and centerboard were pretty heavy for her to handle unaided, but with Daddy Neil on board--well, not much was left to be desired. During that month Peggy learned "how lightly falls the foot of timewhich only treads on flowers, " and was appalled when she realized thatonly five more days remained of her father's leave. 

Neil Stewart, upon his part, was sorely perplexed, for it had come tohim with an overwhelming force that Peggy was almost a young lady, andto live much longer as she had been living was simply out of thequestion. Yet how solve the problem? He and Dr. Llewellyn talked longand earnestly upon the subject when Peggy was not near, and fullyconcurred in their view-point; a change must be made, and made rightspeedily. Should Peggy be sent to school? If so, where? Much dependedupon the choice in her case. Her whole life had been so entirely unlikethe average girl's. Why she scarcely knew the meaning of companions ofher own age of either sex. Neil Stewart actually groaned aloud as hethought of this. 

Dr. Llewellyn suggested a companion for the young girl. 

Mr. Stewart groaned again. Whom should he choose? So far as he knewthere was not a relative, near or remote, to whom he could turn, and ahit-or-miss choice among strangers appalled him. 

"I give you my word, Llewellyn, I'm aground--hard and fast. I can'tnavigate that little cruiser out yonder, " and he nodded toward the lawnwhere Peggy was giving his first lessons to Roy in submitting to ahalter. It was a pretty picture, too, and one deeply imprinted upon NeilStewart's memory. 

"We will do our best for her and leave the rest to the dear Lord, "answered the good Doctor, his cameo-like face turned toward the lawn towatch the girl whom he loved as a daughter. "He will show us the way. Hehas never yet failed to. "

"Well, in all reverence, I wish He'd show it before I leave, for I tellyou I don't like the idea of going away and leaving that little girlutterly unprotected. "

"I should call her very well protected, " said Dr. Llewellyn mildly. 

"Oh, yes, in a way. You are here off and on, and the servants all thetime, but look at the life she leads, man. Not a girl friend. Nothingthat other girls have. I tell you it's bad navigating and she'll runafoul rocks or shoals. It isn't natural. For the Lord's sake DOsomething. If I could be here a month longer I'd start something orburst everything wide open. It's simply got to be changed. " And NeilStewart got up from his big East India chair to pace impatiently up anddown the broad piazza, now and again giving an absent-minded kick to ahassock, or picking up a sofa pillow to heave it upon a settee, asthough clearing the deck for action. He was deeply perturbed. 

Peggy glanced toward him, and quick to notice signs of mentaldisturbance, left her charge to Tzaritza's care and came running towardthe piazza. As she ran up the four steps giving upon the lawn she askedhalf laughingly, half seriously:

"Heavy weather, Daddy Neil? Barometer falling?"

Neil Stewart paused, looked at her a moment and asked abruptly:

"Peggy, how would you like to go to a boarding school?"

"To boarding school!" exclaimed Peggy in amazement. "Leave Severndaleand all this and go away to a SCHOOL?" The emphasis upon the last wordheld whole volumes. 

Her father nodded. 

"I think I'd die, " she said, dropping upon a settee as though the verysuggestion had deprived her of strength. 

Her father's forehead puckered into a perplexed frown. If Peggy weresent to boarding school the choice of one would be a nice question. 

"Well, what SHALL I do with you?" demanded the poor man in desperation. 

"Leave me right where I am. Compadre will see that I'm not quite anignoramus, Harrison keeps me decently clad and properly lectured, andMammy looks to my feeding when I'm well and dosing when I'm not, which, thank goodness, isn't often. Why Daddy, I'm so happy. So perfectlyhappy. Please, please don't spoil it, " and Peggy rose to slip her armwithin her father's and "pace the deck" as he called it. 

"But you haven't a single companion of your own age or station, " heprotested. 

"Do I look the maiden all forlorn as the result?" she asked, laughing upat him. 

"You look--you look--exactly like your mother, and to me she was themost beautiful woman I have ever seen, " and Peggy found herself in anembrace which threatened to smother her. She blushed with pleasure. Tobe like her mother whom she scarcely remembered, for eight years hadpassed since that beautiful mother slipped out of her life, was thehighest praise that could have been bestowed upon her. 

"Daddy, will you make a truce with me?"

Her father stopped to look down at her, doubtful of falling into asnare, for he had wakened to the fact that his little fourteen-year-olddaughter had a pretty long head for her years. Peggy's white teethgleamed behind her rosy lips and her eyes danced wickedly. 

"What are you hatching for your old Dad's undoing, you witch?"

"Nothing but a truce. It is almost the first of September. Will you giveme just one more year of this glorious freedom? I shall be nearlysixteen then, and then if you still wish it, I'll go to a finishingschool, or any other old school you say to be polished off for societyand to do the honors of Severndale properly when you retire. But, Daddy, please, please, don't send me this year. I love it all so dearly--andI'll be good--I truly will. "

At the concluding words the big dark eyes filled. Her father bent downto kiss away the unshed tears. His own eyes were troublesome. 

"I sign the truce, sweetheart, for one year, but I want a detailedreport every week, do you understand?"

"You shall have it, accurate as a ship's log. "

Five days later he had joined his ship and Peggy was once more alone, yet, even then, over yonder under the shadow of the dome of the chapelat the Naval Academy the future was being shaped for the young girl: afuture so unlike one those who loved her best could possibly haveforeseen or planned. 

CHAPTER IV

IN OCTOBER'S DAYS

September slipped by, a lonely month for Peggy as contrasted withAugust. At first she did not fully realize how lonely, but as the dayswent by she missed her father's companionship more and more. Formerly, after one of his brief visits she had taken up her usual occupations, fallen back into the old order of things, and been happy in her dumbcompanions. But this time she could not settle down to anything. She wasrestless, and as nearly unhappy as it was possible for Peggy Stewart tobe. She could not understand it. Poor little Peggy, how could sheanalyze it? How reason out that her life, dearly as she loved it, was anunnatural one for a young girl, and, consequently, an unsatisfactoryone. 

Dr. Llewellyn was troubled. Tender, wise and devoted to the girl, he hadlong foreseen this crisis. It was all very well for the child Peggy torun wild over fields and woodland, to ride, drive, paddle, sail, fish ordo as the whim of the moment prompted, happy in her horses and her dogs. Mammy and Harrison were fully capable of looking to her corporal needsand he could look to her mental and spiritual ones, and did do so. 

Situated as Severndale was, remote from the other estates upon the riverand never brought into social touch with its neighbors, Peggy was hardlyknown. When Neil Stewart came home on leave he was only too glad to getaway from the social side of his life in the service, and the weeksspent with his little girl at Severndale had always been the delight ofhis life. They took him into a new world all his own in which the smallvexations of the outer service world were entirely forgotten. 

And how he looked forward to those visits. He rarely spoke of them tohis friends, mentioned Severndale to very few and hardly a dozen knew ofPeggy's existence. It was a peculiar attitude, but Neil Stewart hadnever been reconciled to the cruel fate which had taken from him thebeautiful wife he had loved so devotedly, and the thought of guests atSeverndale without her there to entertain them as she had beenaccustomed to, was peculiarly abhorent to him. He became almost morbidon the subject and did not realize that he was growing selfish in hissorrow and making Peggy pay the penalty. 

But something in the way of an awakening had come to him during hisrecent visit, and it had shocked him. The child Peggy was a child nolonger but a very charming young girl on the borderland of womanhood. Ina year or two she would be a young woman and entitled to her place inthe social world. Poor Neil Stewart, more than once upon retiring to hisbedroom after one of his delightful evenings spent with Peggy, desperately ran his fingers through his curly hair and asked aloud:"What under the sun AM I to do? I can't leave that child vegetating hereany longer, yet who will come to live with her or where shall I sendher?"

But the question was still unanswered when he left Severndale and nowPeggy was beginning to experience something of her father's unrest. 

October came. Her work with Dr. Llewellyn was resumed. Each Sunday shedrove into Annapolis to old St. Ann's with Harrison; a modest, unobtrusive little figure who attended the service and slipped awayagain almost unnoticed. Indeed, if given a thought at all she wasvaguely supposed to be some connection of the eminently respectableelderly woman accompanying her. Harrison was a rather stately imposingbody in her black taffeta, or black broadcloth, as the season demanded. People did not inquire. It was not their affair. The rector on one ortwo occasions had spoken to Harrison, but Harrison had been on herdignity. She replied politely but did not encourage intimacy and, if thetruth must be confessed, Dr. Smith, rather piqued, decided that he haddone his duty and would make no further advances. This had happened sometime before the beginning of this story. 

In October, as usual, a number of colts were disposed of. Some were soldto people in the adjacent towns or counties, others sent to remotepurchasers who had seen them in their baby days, followed their up-bringing and training, and waited patiently for them to arrive at thestipulated age, four years, before becoming their property. No colt wasever sold under four years of age. This was an inviolable law ofSeverndale, mutually agreed upon by Dr. Llewellyn, the business manager, Shelby, the foreman, and Peggy, the mistress. 

"Ain't going to have no half-baked stock sent off THIS place if I havethe say-so, " had been Shelby's fiat. "I've seen too many fine coltsmined by being BRUCK too young and then sold to fools who don't seem tosense that a horse's backbone's like gristle 'fore he's turned three. Then they load him down fit to kill him, or harness him in a way nohorse could stand, or drive him off his legs, and, when he's played out, they get back at the man who sold him to them, and like as not there's alawsuit afoot that the price of the colt four times over couldn'tsquare, to say nothing of a reputation NO stock-farm can afford tohave. "

Shelby's sense was certainly very sound horse-sense and was rigidlyabided by. Consequently, the colts which left Severndale were in thepride and glory of their young horsehood, and this year they were a mostpromising lot. There were eleven to be disposed of, and, thanks toPeggy's care and training, as fine a bunch of horseflesh as could befound in the land. She had trained--not broken, she could not toleratethat word--every one and each knew his or her name and came at Peggy'scall as a child, loving and obeying her implicitly. Among them were twoexceptionally beautiful creatures--a splendid chestnut with a white starin the middle of his forehead, and a young filly, half-sister to thechestnut and little Boy. The chestnut was called Silver Star, the fillyColumbine, for the singular gentleness of her disposition. She was agolden bay, slender and lithe as a fawn, with great fawn-like brown eyesfull of gentleness and love for all, and for Peggy in particular. Shehad been sold, under the usual conditions during the previous year andwas soon to be sent to her new home. 

One morning, the second week in October, Peggy opened a letter whichheld unusual interest for her. It was from a lady whose home was inWilmot Hall in Annapolis. Wilmot Hall was the hotel near the NavalAcademy and mostly patronized by the officers and their families. Theletter was from the wife of a naval officer who wished either to hire orpurchase a riding horse for her niece who would spend the winter withher. She stated very explicitly that the horse must be well broken("Yes, broken!" fairly snorted Peggy. "Broken! I wonder if she wouldwant a literally 'broken' horse? Why will they never say trained!") andgentle, as her niece had ridden very little. The letter then went on toask if Mrs. Harold might call some day and hour agreed upon. But whatamused Peggy most, and caused her to laugh aloud as she took a spoonfulof luscious sliced peaches, was the manner in which the letter wasaddressed. 

Old Jerome who was serving her in the pretty delft breakfast-room tookan old retainer's privilege to ask:

"What 'musin' you, honey-chile?"

"Didn't know I was an esquire, did you, Jerome? Well I am, because thisletter says so. It is addressed to M. C. Stewart, Esq. As I am the onlyM. C. Stewart I must be the esquire to boot. Wonder what the lady willthink when I sign myself Margaret C. Stewart, " and Peggy's silvery laughfilled the room. 

"Don' yo' mind what dey calls yo', baby. How dey gwine know yo's ouryoung mist'ess? Don' yo' let dat triflin' trebble yo' pretty haid, " saidthe faithful old soul, fearful lest his mistress' pride might betouched, and hastening to serve the second course of her breakfast inhis best "quality style. "

"It doesn't trouble me even a little bit, Jerome. It's just funny. I'mgoing to answer that letter right after breakfast, and I wish I couldsee my correspondent's face when she finds that her 'esquire' is one ofher own sex. But I'll never dare let her guess I'm just a girl. "

"Jes' a gurl! Jes' a gurl, " sputtered Jerome. "Kyant yo' just give her ahint dat yo's a yo'ng lady and we-all's mistiss?"

"'Fraid not, Jerome. She will have to learn that when she comes out hereto see Silver Star, if she really comes. I'd let her have Columbine ifshe were not sold. If that girl, who ever she is, could not rideColumbine she would fall out of a rocking chair. But Star is a darlingand never cuts pranks unless Shashai sets him a bad example. I fearShashai will never forget his colt tricks, " and Shashai's mistresswagged her pretty head doubtfully. 

"Shas'ee's all right, Miss Peggy. Don' yo' go fer ter 'line him. When Isees yo' two a kitin' way over de fiel's an' de fences, I says ter masef, Gawd-a-mighty, Je'ome, yo's got one pintedly hansome yo'ng mistessAN' she kin ride for fair. "

"And that same young mistress is in a fair way to be spoiled by yourflattery that is pretty certain, " laughed Peggy, rising from thebreakfast table and gathering up the pile of letters she had beenreading. 

"Huh, Huh. Spiled nothin', " protested Jerome as she disappeared into theadjoining library. 

Seating herself at her very business-like desk she wrote in a clear, angular hand:

Severndale, Round Bay Station. October 20, 19--

Mrs. G. F. Harold, Wilmot Hall, Annapolis, Md. 

Dear Madam:

Your favor of October eighteenth has been duly received and contentsnoted. In reply would say that I shall be very glad to have you call andinspect our stock. 

We have one colt, a four-year old, sired by the Emperor, dam theEmpress, which I shall be glad to show you. There are also others, but Iam considering pedigree, disposition and gait since you state that youwish a horse for an inexperienced rider. 

Would suggest that you run out to Round Bay Station, via B. A. ShortLine R. R. On Saturday, October the twenty-third, 1. 30 P. M. Weatherpermitting, where I shall meet and convey you to Severndale. 

Awaiting your pleasure I am

Very truly yours, Margaret C. Stewart

How little it often requires to change our whole future. Little didPeggy guess as she wrote that letter in Dr. Llewellyn's most approvedform, that it was destined to entirely revolutionize her life, introduceher to a hitherto unknown world and round out her future in a mannerbeyond the fondest hopes of "Daddy Neil. "

This is a big world of little things. 

The letter went upon its way and in the course of the morning Peggyalmost forgot it. 

At ten o'clock Dr. Llewellyn came for the regular morning lessons. Ifthese were a little unusual for a girl of Peggy's age she was certainlynone the worse for her very practical knowledge of mathematics, herability to conduct correctly the business side of the estate, for uponthis, as the business manager, good Dr. Llewellyn insisted, and if thatbonny, well-poised, level little head sometimes grew weary overinvestments, and interest, and profits and losses, and nestled downconfidingly upon his shoulder, the subjects were none the less fullydigested, and Peggy knew to a dollar, as he did, whence her income wasderived and to what use it was put. 

Then, too, Dr. Llewellyn in his love for the classics made them a fairyworld for the girl and the commingling of the practical with the idealmaintained the balance. 

When one o'clock came dinner was served and after that Dr. Llewellynwent his way and Peggy hurried off to her beloved horses. 

On this day Columbine was to bid good-bye to Severndale. As Peggyentered the big airy stable with its row upon row of scrupulously neatbox stalls, for no other sort was permitted in Severndale, Columbinegreeted her from one of them, as though asking: "Why am I kept mewed upin here while all my companions are enjoying their daily liberty outyonder?"

Peggy opened the gate and entered the stall. The beautiful creaturenestled to her like a petted child. 

"Oh, my bonny one, my bonny one, how can I send you away?" asked Peggysoftly. "Will they be good to you out yonder? Will they understand whata prize they have got? Washington is far away and so big and sofashionable, they tell me. It would break my heart to have you misused. "

The filly nickered softly. 

"I am going to send a little message with you. If they read it they willsurely pay heed to it. "

She drew from the pocket of her blouse a little package. It was not overan inch wide or three long, and was carefully sealed in a piece of oilsilk. Parting the thick, luxuriant mane, she tied her missive securelyunderneath. When the silky hair fell back in place the little messagewas completely concealed. Peggy clasped her arms about the filly's neck, kissed the soft muzzle and said:

"Good-bye, dear. I'll never forget you and I wonder if I shall ever hearof you or see you again?"

Her eyes were full of tears as she left the stable. Two hours laterColumbine was led from her happy home. What later befell her we willlearn in a future volume of Peggy Stewart. Meanwhile we must followPeggy's history. 

On the following Saturday, in the golden glow of an October afternoon, with the hills a glory of color and the air as soft as wine, Peggy droveComet and Meteor, her splendid carriage horses, to the Bound Bay stationto meet Mrs. Harold and her niece. Tzaritza bounded along beside thesurrey and old Jess, the coachman of fifty years, sat beside his youngmistress, almost bursting with pride as he watched the skill with whichshe handled the high-spirited animals, for Jess had taught her to drivewhen she was so tiny that he had to hold her upon his lap, and keep thelittle hands within the grasp of his big black ones. 

Leaving the horses in his care she stepped upon the little platformwhich did primitive duty as a station, to await the arrival of theelectric car which could already be heard humming far away up the line. 

As her guests stepped from the car she advanced to meet them, saying asshe extended her hand to Mrs. Harold:

"This is Mrs. Harold, I reckon. I am Peggy Stewart. I am glad to meetyou. "

There was not the least hesitation or self-consciousness and the franksmile which accompanied the words revealed all her pretty, even teeth. "I got your message and I am right glad to welcome you to Severndale. "

The lady looked a trifle bewildered. She had expected to meet the ownerof Severndale, or, certainly, a mature woman. Her correspondence had, itis true, been with a Margaret C. Stewart, whom she assumed to be Mr. Stewart's wife or some relative. Intuitively Peggy grasped thesituation, but kept a perfectly sober face. 

"I am very glad to come, " said her guest, and added: "This is my niece, Polly Howland. "

"It's nice to see and know you. I don't see many girls of my own age. Will you come to the surrey?" and she indicated with a graceful motionof her hand the carriage in waiting just beyond. Mrs. Harold and herniece followed their guide. 

Old Jess made a sweeping bow. He must do the honors properly. Peggyhelped her guests into the rear seat, then sprang lightly into the frontone, drew on a pair of chamois gloves, and taking the reins from Jess, gave a low, clear whistle. Instantly Tzaritza bounded up from beneathsome shrubbery where she had lain hidden, and cavorting to the horses'heads made playful snaps at their muzzles. The next second they hadreared upon their hind legs. Mrs. Harold gave a little cry of terror andPolly laid hold of the side of the surrey. Peggy flashed an amused, dazzling smile over her shoulder at them as she said reassuringly:

"Don't be frightened. Down, Tzaritza. Steady, my beauties. "

At her words the beautiful span settled down as quiet as lambs and swunginto a gait which whirled the surrey along the picturesque, woodlandroad at a rate not to be despised, while Peggy drove with the master-hand of experience. Indeed she seemed to guide more by words than reins, or some perfectly understood signal to the splendid creatures whicharched their necks, or laid back an ear to catch each low spoken word. 

For a time Peggy's guests were too absorbed in watching her marvelousskill and almost uncanny power over her horses to make any comment. Thenthe young girl broke into a perfect ecstasy of delight as she cried:

"Oh, how do you do it? How beautiful they are and what a superb dog. Itis a Russian wolfhound, isn't it?"

"Yes, she is a wolfhound. But I don't quite understand. Do what?" andPeggy glanced back questioningly. 

"Why drive like that. Make them obey you so perfectly. "

"Oh! Why I reckon it is because I have driven all my life. I can'tremember when I haven't, and I love and understand them so well. That isall there is to it, I think. They will do almost anything for me. Yousee I was here when they were born and they have known me from the veryfirst. That makes a lot of difference. And I have a great deal to doabout the paddock. I superintend it. The horses are never afraid of meand if they don't know the meaning of fear one can do almost anythingwith them, "

How simple it was all said. Mrs. Harold was more and more puzzled. Thedrive was longer than she had expected it to be and she had ample timeto observe her young hostess. 

"And your mother or aunt, whom I infer is my correspondent, shall I meether at Severndale!"

"My mother is not living, Mrs. Harold, and I have no own aunt; only anaunt by marriage, the widow of Daddy's only brother, but I have neverseen her. "

"Then I am at a loss to understand with whom I have been correspondingabout a wonderful horse called Silver Star. Someone who signs herletters Margaret C. Stewart, and who evidently knows what she is writingabout, too, for she writes to the point and has told me a dozen thingswhich no one but an experienced business woman would think of telling. Yet you tell me there is neither a Mrs. Nor Miss Stewart at Severndale. "

"I am afraid I am the only Miss Stewart at Severndale, though I am nevercalled Miss Stewart. I'm just Miss Peggy to the help, and Peggy to myfriends. But, of course, when I write business letters I have to sign myfull name. "

"You write business letters. Do you mean to tell me you wrote thoseletters'?"

"I'm the only Margaret Stewart, " answered Peggy, her eyes twinkling. "But here we are at Severndale. "

The span made a sharp turn and sped along a beautiful avenue over-archedby golden beeches and a moment later swept up to a stately old colonialmansion which must have looked out over the reaches of Round Bay formany generations. 

CHAPTER V

POLLY HOWLAND

It must be admitted that during the drive from the station Peggy'scuriosity concerning her guests had been fully as lively as theirsregarding her. She had never known girl friends; there was but one homewithin reasonable reach of her own which harbored a girl near her ownage and during the past year even this one had been sent off to boardingschool, her parents realizing that the place was too remote to affordher the advantages her age demanded. Consequently, Peggy experienced alittle thrill when she met Polly Howland. Here was a girl of her ownage, her own station, and, if intuition meant anything, a kindredspirit. The moment of their introduction had been too brief for Peggy tohave a good look at Polly, but now that they had reached Severndale shemeant to have it, and while Mrs. Howland and Polly were exclaiming overthe beauty of the old place, and the former was wondering how she couldhave lived in Annapolis so long without even being aware of itsexistence, Peggy, while apparently occupied in caring for her guests'welfare, was scrutinizing those guests very closely. 

What she saw was a lady something past forty, a little above the averageheight, slight and graceful, with masses of dark brown hair coiledbeneath a very pretty dark blue velvet toque, a face almost as fresh andfair as a girl's, large, dark brown expressive eyes, which held a lightthat in some mysterious manner appealed to Peggy and drew herirresistibly. They were smiling eyes with a twinkle suggestive of asense of humor, a sympathetic understanding of the view-point of thoseof fewer years, which the mouth beneath corroborated, for the lips helda little curve which often betrayed the inward emotions. Her voice wassoft and sweet and its intonation fell soothingly upon Peggy's sensitiveears. Taken altogether, her elder guest had already won Peggy's heart, though she would have found it hard to explain why. 

And Polly Howland?

To describe Polly Howland in cold print would be impossible, for Pollywas something of a chameleon. What Peggy saw was a young girl not quiteas tall as herself, but slightly heavier and straight and lithe as awillow. Her fine head was topped with a great wavy mass of the deepestcopper-tinted hair, perfectly wonderful hair, which glinted and flashedwith every turn of the girl's head, and rolled back from a broadforehead white and clear as milk. The eyes beneath the forehead were aperfect cadet blue, with long lashes many shades darker than the hair. They were big eyes, expressive and constantly changing with Polly'smoods, now flashing, now laughing, again growing dark, deep and tender. The nose had an independent little tilt, but the mouth was exquisitelyfaultless and mobile and expressive to a rare degree. Polly's eyes andmouth would have attracted attention anywhere. 

Of course Peggy did not take quite this analytical view of either of herguests, though in a vague way she felt it all and an odd sense ofhappiness filled her soul which she would have found it hard to explain. 

She led the way through the spacious hall and dining-room to the broadpiazza from which the view was simply entrancing, and said:

"Won't you and Miss Howland be seated, Mrs. Harold; I am sure you mustbe hungry after your ride through this October air. We will have somerefreshments and then go out to the paddock to see Silver Star. "

Touching a little silver bell, which was promptly answered by Jerome, she ordered:

"Something extra nice for my guests, Jerome, and please send word toShelby that we will be out to the paddock in half an hour. "

"Yes, missie, lamb, I gwine bring yo' a dish fitten f o' a queen. "

Mrs. Harold dropped into one of the big East India porch chairs, saying:

"This is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. Polly, dear, look at the wonderful reds of those wings contrasted with the foliageback of them. Why have we never known of Severndale? Have you lived herelong, Miss Stewart?"

"Would you mind calling me just Peggy? Miss Stewart makes me feel so oldand grown-up, " said Peggy unaffectedly. 

Mrs. Harold smiled approvingly and Polly cried:

"Yes, doesn't it? I hate to be called Miss Howland. I'm not, anyway, forI have an older sister. Have you, too?"

"No, " answered Peggy. "I have no one in the world but Daddy Neil, and heis away nearly all the time. I wish he were not. I miss him terribly. Hespent August with me and I have never before missed him as I do thistime. I have always lived here, Mrs. Harold. I was born here, " sheconcluded in reply to Mrs. Harold's question. 

"But your companions?" Mrs. Harold could not refrain from asking. 

Peggy smiled. 

"That was Daddy Neil's deepest concern during his last visit. He had notthought much about it before, I guess. I dare say you will think it odd, but my companions are mostly four-footed ones, though I am--what shall Icall it? Guarded? chaperoned? cared for? by Harrison, Mammy Lucy andJerome, with my legal guardian, Dr. Llewellyn to keep me within bounds. I dare say most people would consider it very unusual, but I am veryhappy and never lonely. Yes, Jerome, set the tray here, please, " sheended as the butler returned bearing a large silver tray laden with abeautiful silver chocolate service, egg-shell cups straight from Japan, a plate of the most delicate, flaky biscuits, divided, buttered andsteaming, flanked by another plate piled high with little scalloped-edged nut cakes, just fresh from Aunt Cynthia's oven. 

Taking her seat beside the table Peggy poured and Jerome served in hismost dignified manner, while Mrs. Harold marveled more and more andPolly thought she had never in all her life seen a girl quite likePeggy. 

"It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen, " said Mrs. Harold. 

"I am glad you like it, for I love it. Few people know of it. I mean fewwho come to Annapolis. I have lived here so quietly since Mamma's deathwhen I was six years old. Daddy comes whenever he can, but he has askedfor sea duty since Mamma left us. He has missed her so. "

"In which class did your father graduate, Miss Peggy!"

"In 18--, Mrs. Harold. "

"Why then he must have been in the Academy when Mr. Harold was there. Hegraduated two years later. I wonder if they knew each other. Mr. Haroldwould have been a youngster, and your father a first-classman, andfirst-classmen HAVE been known to notice youngsters. "

Peggy looked puzzled. Although she had always lived within ten miles ofthe Academy, she had never entered its gates, and knew nothing of itsways or rules. Polly was wiser, having spent a month with her aunt. Shelaughed as she explained:

"A first-classman is a lordly being who is generally at odds with asecond-classman, but inclined to protect a third-classman, or youngster, simply because the second-classman is inclined to make life a burden forhim, just as he in turn is ready to torment the life out of a fourth-classman, or plebe. I am just beginning to understand it. It seemedperfectly ridiculous at first, but I guess some of those boys are thebetter for the running they get. I've only been here since the first ofOctober, but I've learned a whole lot in four weeks. Maybe you will comeover to see us some time and you will understand better then. "

"I'd love to, I am sure. But may I offer you something more? No? Thenperhaps we would better go down to the paddock. "

They stepped from the piazza and walked through the beautifully keptgarden. On either side late autumn flowers were blooming, the box hedgeswere a deep, waxen green, and gave forth a rich, aromatic odor. Pollycried:

"I just can't believe that you--you--why that you are the mistress ofall this. I don't believe you can be one bit older than I am. "

"I was fourteen last January, " answered Peggy simply. 

"And I fifteen last August, " cried Polly with the frankness of heryears. 

"Then you are exactly five months older than I am, aren't you?" Peggy'ssmile was wonderfully winning. 

"And when I look at all this and hear you talk I feel just about fiveYEARS YOUNGER, " was Polly's frank reply. "Why I've never done a singlething in my life. ''

"Not one?" asked Mrs. Harold, smiling significantly. 

"Oh well, nothing like all THIS, " protested Polly. 

They had now reached a large inclosure. At the further end were a numberof low buildings, evidently stables. Nearer at hand, outside theinclosure, were larger buildings--barns and offices. The inclosure wasstill soft and green in its carpeting of turf and patches of clover. Eight or ten horses were running at large, free and halterless. Furtheron was another inclosure in which several brood mares were grazingquietly or frisking about with, their colts. Some had come to the highpaling to gaze inquiringly at the strangers. 

"Oh, Tanta, Tanta, just look at them, " cried Polly in a rapture. "Andwhich is to be mine?"

"None of those spindle-legs yonder, " was Peggy's amused answer. "Theywill be running at large for a long time yet. I don't even begintraining them until they are a year old--at least not in anything butloving and obeying me. But most of them learn that very quickly. Youmust look in this paddock for Silver Star, Miss Polly. Shall I callhim?"

"Will he really come?" asked Polly incredulously. 

For answer Peggy slipped into the paddock, saying as she shot back thebolt:

"We used to have a much simpler fastening, but they learned how to undoit and make their escape. For that reason we are obliged to have thesehigh fences. They have a strain of hunter blood and a six-foot barrierdoesn't mean much to some of them. "

How bonny the girl looked as she stood there. The horses which were in alittle group near the buildings at the opposite end of the paddock, raised their heads inquiringly. The girl gave a long, clear whistlewhich was instantly answered by a chorus of loud neighs, as the groupbroke into a mad gallop and bore down upon her. It seemed to Mrs. Haroldand Polly as though the on-rushing creatures must bear her down, butjust when the speed was the maddest, when heads were tossing mostwildly, and tails and manes waving like banners, Peggy cried:

"Halt! Steady, my beauties!" and as one the beautiful animals came to astandstill their hoofs stirring up a cloud of dust, so suddenly did theybrace their forefeet. The next second they were crowding around her, nuzzling her hair, her shoulders, her hands, evidently begging in silenteloquence for some expected dainty. 

Peggy carried a small linen bag. She opened it and instantly the air wasfilled with the soft, bubbling whinny with which a horse begs. 

"Quiet, Meteor. Be patient, Don. Wait, Queen. Oh, Shashai, will younever learn manners?" she cried as her pet stretched his long neck andcatching the little bag in his teeth snatched it from her hands, then, with all the delight of a child who has played a clever trick, away hedashed across the paddock. 

"Shashai! Shashai, how dare you! Halt!" she called after him, but thegraceful creature had no idea of halting. 

For a moment Peggy looked at her guests very much as a baffledschoolmistress might look in the event of her pupil's open defiance, then cried:

"This will never, never do. If he disobeys me once I shall never be ableto do anything with him again. Please excuse me a moment. I must catchhim. "

"Are you in the habit of chasing whirlwinds?" asked Mrs. Haroldlaughing. 

"You must be able to run faster than most people, " laughed Polly, buteven as she spoke Peggy cried:

"Star! Star! Come. " And out from the group slipped a superb chestnut. Hecame close to the girl, slipping his beautiful head across her shoulderand nestling against her face with the affection of a child. She claspedher arm up around the satiny neck and said softly:

"We must catch Shashai, Star, " then turning like a flash, she rested onehand lightly upon his withers, gave a quick spring and sat astride thehorse's back. 

Polly gave a little cry and clasped her hands, her eyes sparkling withdelight at this marvelous equestrian feat. Mrs. Harold was too amazed tospeak. 

"After him! Four bells, Star, " cried Peggy, and away rushed the pair asthough horse and rider were one creature, Peggy's divided cloth skirt, which up to that moment Mrs. Harold had not noticed, fluttering back toreveal the nattiest little patent leather riding boots imaginable. Itwas one of the prettiest pictures Mrs. Harold and Polly had ever beheld. 

But that race was not to end so quickly. Shashai boasted the same bloodas Silver Star, and was every bit as intelligent as his older brother. Moreover he had no mind to give up his treasure-trove. He knew thatlittle bag and its contents too well and was minded to carry it to theend of the paddock and there rend and tear it, until its contents werespilled and he could eat his companions' share as well as his own. Andthat was exactly what Peggy did not propose to permit, either for hiswell-being or in justice to the other pets. 

As the extraordinary game of tag ranged around the big paddock, Pollyfairly danced up and down in excitement, crying:

"Tanta, Tanta, I didn't know any one COULD ride like that girl. Why itis more wonderful than a circus. And isn't she beautiful? Oh, I want toknow her better. I am sure she must be a perfect dear. Why if I couldever ride half as well I'd be the proudest girl in the world. "

"And how simply and unostentatiously she does everything. Polly, Isuspect we shall be the richer for several things besides a handsomehorse when we return to Wilmot. "

Meanwhile Peggy was bearing down upon the thief and his plunder, thoughhe darted and dodged like a cat, but in an unguarded moment he gave Starthe advantage and was cornered. 

"Shashai, halt! Steady. Down. My pardon. "

Never was human speech more perfectly understood and obeyed. The gamewas up and the superb horse stopped, dropped upon his knees and touchedthe ground with his muzzle, the bag still held in his teeth. 

"Up, Shashai, " and the horse was again upon his feet. 

Peggy reached over and taking hold of his flowing forelock led him backto the gate. Nothing could have been more demure than the manner inwhich he minced along beside her. At the gate Peggy slipped from Star'sback as snow slips from a sunny bank, and stretching forth her handsaid:

"Give it to me, Shashai. "

The mischievous colt dropped the bag into her hand. 

"Good boy, " and a caress rewarded the reformed one. 

Then Polly's enthusiasm broke forth. 

How had she ever done it? Who had taught her to ride like that? Couldshe, Polly, ever hope to do so?

Peggy laughed gaily, and explained Shelby's methods as best she could, giving a little outline of her life on the estate which held a peculiarinterest for Mrs. Harold, who read more between the lines than Peggyguessed, and who then and there resolved to know something more of thisunusual girl to whose home they had been so curiously led. She had beenthrown with young people all her life and loved them dearly, and here toher experienced eyes was a rare specimen of young girlhood and her heartwarmed to her. 

"I'd give anything to ride as you do, " said Polly quite in despair ofever doing so. 

"Why I can't remember when I haven't ridden. Shelby put me on a horsewhen Mammy Lucy declared I was too tiny to sit in a chair, and oh, how Ilove it and them. It is all so easy, so free--so--I don't quite know howto express it. But I must not take any more of your time talking aboutmyself. Please excuse me for having talked so much. I wanted you to seeSilver Star's paces but I did not plan to show them in just this way. But isn't he a dear? I don't know how I can let him go away fromSeverndale, but he as well as the others must. We sent Columbine only afew days ago. She has the sweetest disposition of any horse I have evertrained. It nearly broke my heart to send her off. They are allrelatives. Shashai and Star are half-brothers. Shashai is my very ownand I shall never sell him. Would you like to try Star, Miss Polly? Ican get you a riding skirt. Shall you ride cross or side? He is trainedfor both. "

"Not today, I think, " answered Mrs. Harold for Polly. "We must make ourarrangements for Star and then we will see about riding lessons. I wishyou would undertake to teach Polly. "

"Oh, would you really let me teach her?" cried Peggy enthusiastically. 

"I think the obligation would be all on the other side, " laughed Mrs. Harold. "It would be a privilege too great to claim. "

"There would be no obligation whatever. I'd just love to, " cried Peggyeagerly. "Why it would be perfectly lovely to have her come out hereevery day. Please walk back to the house and let us talk it over, "Peggy's eyes were sparkling. 

"Oh, Tanta, may I?"

"Slowly, Polly. My head is beginning to swim with so many ideas crowdinginto it, " but Polly Howland knew from the tone that the day was as goodas won. 

CHAPTER VI

A FRIENDSHIP BEGINS

As they walked back to the house the girls talked incessantly, Mrs. Harold listening intently but saying very little. She was drawing herown conclusions, which were usually pretty shrewd ones. 

Commander Harold had for the past four years been stationed either atthe Naval Academy, or on sea duty on board the Rhode Island when shemade her famous cruise around the world. Mrs. Harold had remained atWilmot Hall during the winter of 1907 and 1908, Polly's sister Constancespending it with her. Later Commander Harold had duty at the Academy, but recently with his new commission, for he had been a commander only afew months, he had been given one of the new cruisers and was at seaonce more. They had no children, their only child having died many yearsbefore, but Mrs. Harold, loving young people as she did, was neverwithout them near her. This winter her niece, Polly Howland, wouldremain with her and she was anxious to make the winter a happy one forthe young girl. This she had a rare opportunity of doing, for her prettysitting-room in Wilmot Hall was a gathering place for the young peopleof the entire neighborhood and the midshipmen in particular, who lovedit dearly and were devoted to its mistress, loving her with the devotionof sons, and invariably calling her "the Little Mother, " and hersitting-room "Middies' Haven. " And a happier little rendezvous it wouldhave been hard to find, for Mrs. Harold loved her big foster-sonsdearly, strove in every way to make the place a home for them and todevelop all that was best in their diverse characters. 

It was to this home that Polly had come to pass the winter and now a newphase had developed, the outcome of what seemed to be chance, but it isto be questioned whether anything in this great world of ours is theoutcome of chance. If so wisely ordered in some respects, why not inall?

So it is not surprising that Mrs. Harold watched and listened with raresympathy and a keen intuition as the girls walked a little ahead of her, talking together as freely and frankly as though they had known eachother for years instead of hours only. 

"Couldn't you come out on the electric car every morning?" Peggy wasasking. "If you could do that for about two weeks I am sure you would beable to ride BEAUTIFULLY at the end of them. "

"Not in the morning, I'm afraid. You see I am an Annapolis co-ed, " Pollyanswered laughing gaily at Peggy's mystified expression. "Yes I am, truly. You see I came down here to spend the winter with Aunt Janetbecause she is lonely when Uncle Glenn is away. But, of course, I can'tjust sit around and do nothing, or frolic all the time. Had I remainedat home I should have been in my last year at high school, but Tantadoesn't want me to go to the one down here. Oh we've had the funniestdiscussions. First she thought she'd engage a governess for me, and wehad almost settled on that when the funniest little thing changed itall. Isn't it queer how just a little thing will sometimes turn yourplans all around?"

"What changed yours?" asked Peggy, more deeply interested in this newacquaintance and the new world she was introducing her into than she hadever been in anything in her life. "You'll laugh at me, I dare say, if Itell you, but I don't mind. Up at my own home in Montgentian, N. J. , Ihad a boy chum. We have known each other since we were little tots andalways played together. He is two years older than I am, but I was onlya year behind him when he graduated from the high last spring. Mygoodness, how I worked to catch up, for I was ashamed to let him be sofar ahead of me. I couldn't quite catch up, though, and he graduated ayear ahead of me in spite of all I could do. Then he took a competitiveexamination for Annapolis and passed finely, entering the Academy lastJune. I was just tickled to death for we are just like brother andsister, we have been together so much. Then Tanta sent for me and I cameback with her on September 30. One day we were over in the yard and theboys--men, I dare say I ought to call them, for some of them are tall asbean poles, only they have all been Aunt Janet's 'boys' ever since theyentered the Academy--were teasing me, and telling me I couldn't workwith Ralph any longer. I got mad then and said I guessed I COULD workwith him if I saw fit, and I meant to, too. Oh, they laughed and jeeredat me until I could have slapped every single one of them, but I thenand there made up my mind to follow THIS year's academic course if Idied in the attempt, and when we went home I talked it all over withAunt Janet. She's such a dear, and always ready to listen to anything weyoung people have to tell her. So I really am a co-ed. Yes, I am; I knewyou'd smile. I have an instructor, a retired captain, a friend of AuntJanet's, who lives at Wilmot, and Aunt Janet has rented an extra roomnext mine for a schoolroom, and every morning at nine o'clock CaptainPennell and I settle down to real hard work. I have 'math' andmechanical drawing just exactly as Ralph has, and the same French, Spanish and English course, but what I love best of all is learning allabout a boat and how to sail her, how to swim, and the gym work. AndCaptain Pennell is teaching me how to fence and to shoot with a rifleand a revolver. Oh, it is just heaps and heaps of fun. I didn't dream agirl could learn all those things, but Captain Pennell is such a dearand so interesting. He seems to have something new for each day. But HOWAunt Janet's boys do run me and ask me when I'm coming out for cutterdrill, or field artillery or any old thing they know I CAN'T do. Butnever mind. I know just exactly what all their old orders mean, and I amlearning all about our splendid big ships and the guns and everythingjust as fast as ever I can. But, my goodness, I shall talk you to death. Mother says I never know when to stop once I get started. I beg yourpardon, " and Polly looked quite abashed as they drew near the piazza. 

"Why I think it is all perfectly fascinating. How I'd love to do some ofthose things. I can shoot and swim and sail my boat, but I've never beenin a gymnasium or done any of those interesting things. I wish Compadrecould hear all about it. They wanted to send me away to a big finishingschool this winter but I begged so hard for one more year's freedom thatDaddy Neil consented, but I think he would love to have me know aboutthe things you are learning. "

"Oh, Tanta, couldn't we make some sort of a bargain? Couldn't Peggy cometo us three days of the week and work with Captain Pennell and me, andthen I come out three to learn to ride?"

Peggy's eyes shone as she listened. She had not realized how hungry shehad been for young companionship until this sunny-souled young girl haddropped into her little world. 

Mrs. Harold smiled sympathetically upon the enthusiastic pair. 

"Perhaps we can make a mutually beneficial bargain, " she said. "I thinkI shall accept Silver Star upon your recommendation, Miss Peggy, andwhat I have already seen. Then if you are willing to undertake it, Pollyshall be taught to ride by you, and you in turn must come to us atWilmot to join Captain Pennell's class of fencing, gym work or whateverelse seems wise or you wish to. But who must decide the question, dear?"

How unconsciously she had dropped into the term of endearment with thisyoung girl. It was so much a part of her nature to do so. Peggy's cheeksbecame rose-tinted with pleasure, and her eyes alight with happiness. Her smile was radiant as she slipped to Mrs. Harold's side saying: "Oh, if Compadre were only here to decide it right away. He is my guardianyou know, and, of course, I must do as he wishes, but I hope--oh I HOPE, he will let me do this. "

"And what is it you so wish to do, Filiola?" asked a gentle voice withinthe room. 

Peggy gave a little cry of delight. 

"Oh, Compadre, when did you come? We have just been talking about you, "cried Peggy, flitting to the side of the tall, handsome old gentlemanand slipping her arm about him as his encircled her shoulder, and helooked down upon her with a pair of benign dark eyes as he answered:

"I have been luxuriating and feasting for the past half hour whilewaiting for a truant ward. Jerome took pity upon me and fed me to keepme in a good temper. 

"Oh, Compadre, I want you to know my new friend, Mrs. Harold and herniece, Polly Howland. We have been having the loveliest visit together. "

Dr. Llewellyn advanced to meet the guests, one arm still encircling hisward, the other extended to take Mrs. Harold's hand as he said:

"This is a great pleasure, madam. To judge by my little girl's face shehas found a congenial companion. I am more than delighted to meet bothaunt and niece. "

"And we are ALMOST the same age! Isn't that lovely!" cried Polly. 

Dr. Llewellyn exchanged a significant glance with Mrs. Harold, thenasked:

"Have you imparted your peculiar power to your niece, Mrs. Harold?"

Mrs. Harold looked mystified. "I am afraid I don't quite understand, "she smiled. 

"Your chaplain at the Academy is an old friend of mine. We occasionallyhobnob over the chess board and a modest glass of wine. I hear of thingsbeyond Round Bay and Severndale; I am interested in that gathering ofyoung men in the Academy and often ask questions. The chaplain is deeplyconcerned for their welfare and has told me many things, among otherssomething of a certain lady to whom they are devoted and who has aremarkable influence over them. It has interested me, too, for they areat the most impressionable, susceptible period of their lives and a wiseinfluence can do much for them. I am glad to meet 'The Little Mother ofMiddies' Haven. '"

Dr. Llewellyn's eyes twinkled as he spoke. Mrs. Harold blushed like agirl as she asked:

"Have my sins found me out?"

"It is a pity we could not find all 'sins' as salutary. I may be aretired old clergyman, with no greater responsibilities upon myshoulders than keeping one unruly little girl within bounds, " he added, giving a tweak to Peggy's curls, "and looking after her father's estate--I tutored HIM when he was a lad--but I hear echoes of the doings of theouter world now and again. Yes--yes, now and again, and when they arecheering echoes I rejoice greatly. But let us be seated and hear thewonderful news which will cause an explosion presently unless thesafety-valves are opened, " he concluded, placing chairs for Mrs. Haroldand Polly with courtly grace. 

They talked for an hour and at its end Dr. Llewellyn and Mrs. Harold hadsettled upon a plan which caused Peggy and Polly to nearly prance forjoy. 

Mrs. Harold was to talk it over with Captain Pennell and phone out toSeverndale the next morning, and if all went well, Peggy would go toAnnapolis to take up certain branches of the work with Polly, and in theintervening mornings continue her work with Dr. Llewellyn, and Polly inreturn would spend three afternoons with her. 

Star was hired then and there for the winter, but would live atSeverndale until Polly's horse-WOMAN-ship was a little more to be reliedupon. 

Before Mrs. Harold and Polly realized where the afternoon had gone itwas time to return to Annapolis. They were driven to the station byJess, Peggy and Dr. Llewellyn riding beside the carriage on Shashai andDr. Claudius, Dr. Llewellyn's big dapple-gray hunter, for the oldclergyman was an aristocrat to his fingertips and lived the life of hisMaryland forebears, at seventy sitting his horse as he had done in earlymanhood, and even occasionally following the hounds. It was a prettysight to see him and Peggy ride, his great horse making its powerfulstrides, while Shashai flitted along like a swallow, full of all mannerof little conceits and pranks though absolutely obedient to Peggy's low-spoken words, or knee-pressure, for the bridle rein was a quitesuperfluous adjunct to her riding gear, and she would have riddenwithout a saddle but for conventionalities. 

They bade their guests good-bye at the little station, and rode slowlyback to Severndale in the golden glow of the late afternoon, Peggytalking incessantly and the good doctor occasionally asking a questionor telling her something of the world over in the Academy of which sheknew so little, but of which fate seemed to have ordained she shouldsoon know much more. 

There was a quiet little talk up in Middies' Haven that evening, andCaptain Pennell learned from Mrs. Harold of the little girl up at RoundBay. He was not only willing to accept Peggy as a second pupil, butdelighted to welcome the addition to his "Co-ed Institution" as hecalled it. He had grown very fond of his pupil in the brief time she hadworked with him, but felt sure that a little competition would lend zestto the work. He was deeply interested in the novel plan and wished hispupil to give her old chum and schoolmate a lively contest. Moreover, hewas a lonely man whom ill-health and sorrow had left little to expectfrom life. His wife and only daughter had died in Guam soon after theend of the Spanish war, in which he had received the wound which hadincapacitated him for service and forced him to retire in what shouldhave been the prime of life. Since that hour he had lived only to killtime; the deadliest fate to which a human being can be condemned. UntilPolly entered his lonely world it would have been hard to picture aduller life than he led, but her sunshiny soul seemed to have reflectedsome of its light upon him, and he was happier than he had been inyears. 

It is safe to say that the description of Peggy, her home, her horsesand all pertaining to her, lost nothing in Polly's telling and it wasagreed that she should become a special course co-ed upon the followingMonday. 

And out at Severndale an equally eager, enthusiastic little body wasawaiting the ringing of the telephone bell, and when at nine o'clockSunday morning its cheerful jingling summoned Peggy from her breakfasttable, she was as happy as she well could be and promised faithfully tobe at Wilmot at nine o'clock the following morning. 

And so began a friendship destined to last as long as the girls lived, and the glorious autumn days were filled with delights for them both. ToPeggy it was a wonderful world. 

The Tuesday following Polly went to Severndale and her first ridinglesson began, with more or less quaking upon her part, it must beconfessed. She felt tremendously high up in the air when she first foundherself upon Silver Star's back. But he behaved like a gentleman, seeming to realize that the usual order of things was being reversed andthat he was teaching instead of being taught. So, in spite of Shashai'swicked hints for a prank, he conducted himself in a manner mostexemplary and Polly went back to Wilmot Hall as enthusiastic as she wellcould be. 

Mrs. Harold had invited Peggy to spend the week-end at Wilmot. Shewished her to meet some of Polly's friends and she, herself, wished toknow the young girl better. So Dr. Llewellyn's permission was asked andpromptly granted, and with his consent won that of Harrison and MammyLucy was a mere form. Nevertheless, Peggy was too wise to overlookasking, for Harrison fancied herself the embodiment of the law, andMammy Lucy, in her own estimation at least, stood for the dignity of theStewart family. And the preparations for the little week-end visit wereundertaken with a degree of ceremony which might have warranted a tripto Europe. Peggy's suitcase was packed by Mammy's own hands, Harrisonhovering near to make sure that nothing was overlooked, to Mammy'ssecret disgust, for she felt herself fully capable of attending to it. 

Then came the question of going in, Peggy very naturally expecting to goby the electric car as she had during the week. But NO! Such anundignified entrance into Wilmot was not to be thought of. She must bedriven in by Jess. 

"But Mammy, how ridiculous, " protested Peggy. "I can get a boy at thestation to carry my suitcase to the hotel. "

Mammy looked at her in disdain. 

"Git one ob dem no 'count dirty little nigger boys what hangs round datrailway station to tote yo' shute case, a-tailin' long behime yo' forall de worl lak a tromp. What yo' 'spose yo' pa would say to we-all ifwe let yo' go a-visitin' in amy sich style as dat, an' yo' a Stewart AN'de daughter ob a naval officer who's gwine visit de wife ob one ob his'Cademy frien's! Chile, yo's cl'ar crazy. Yo' go in de proper stylelemme tell yo', or yo' aim gwine go 'tall. Yo' hear ME?"

And Peggy had to meekly submit, realizing that there were SOME lawswhich even a Stewart might not violate. So on Saturday afternoon Cometand Meteor tooled the surrey along by beautiful woodland and field, Peggy clad in her pretty autumn suit and hat, her suitcase at Jess'feet, and herself as properly dignified as the occasion demanded, whilein her secret heart she resolved to enlist Mrs. Harold upon her side andin future make her visits with less ceremony. 

CHAPTER VII

PEGGY STEWART: CHATELAINE

Peggy had entered a new world. Plunged into one, would perhaps betterexpress it, so sudden had been her entrance, and her letters to DaddyNeil, now on his way to Guantanamo for the fall drills, were full of anenthusiasm which almost bewildered him and started a new train ofthought. 

As he knew most members of the personnel of the ships comprising theAtlantic fleet, he, of course, knew Commander Harold, though it hadnever occurred to him to associate him with Annapolis, or to make anyinquiry regarding his home or his connections. Like many another, he wasmerely a fellow-officer. He was not a classmate, so his interest wasless keen than it would have been had such been the case. Moreover, Harold was in a different division of the fleet and they very rarelymet. But now the whole situation was changed by Peggy's letter. He wouldhunt up Mr. Harold at the first opportunity and with this commoninterest to bind them, much pleasure was in store. 

True to her word, Peggy sent her letter off every Sunday afternoon--aconscientious report of the week's happenings. Her "log, " she called it, and it was the comfort of Daddy Neil's life. 

Meanwhile, she spent about half of her time with Mrs. Harold and Polly, and in a very short time became as good a chum of Mrs. Harold's "boys, "the midshipmen, as was Polly. There was always something doing over atthe Academy, and as Mrs. Harold's guest, Peggy was naturally included. At present football practice was absorbing the interest of the Academicworld and its friends, for in a few weeks the big Army-Navy game wouldtake place up in Philadelphia and Mrs. Harold had already invited Peggyto go to it with her party. Peggy had never even seen a practice gameuntil taken over to the Naval Academy field with her friends, where theboys teased her unmercifully because she asked why they didn't "have adecently shaped ROUND ball instead of a leather watermelon whichwouldn't do a thing but flop every which way, and call it tussle-ballinstead of football?"

There was a little circle which gathered about Mrs. Harold, and whichwas always alluded to as "her big children. " These were men from thedifferent classes in the Academy, for there were no "class rates" in"Middies' Haven, " as they called her sitting-room. Peggy met them all, though, naturally, there were some she liked better than others. Amongthe upper-classmen who would graduate in the spring were three who wereat Middies' Haven whenever there was the slightest excuse for beingthere. These boys who seemed quite grown-up men to fourteen-year-oldPeggy, though she soon lost her shyness with them, and learned that theycould frolic as well as the younger ones, went by the names of Happy, Wheedles and Shortie, the latter so nicknamed because he was six feet, four inches tall, though the others' nicknames had been bestowed becausethey really fitted. There were also two or three second-classmen andyoungsters who frequently visited Mrs. Harold, one in particular, whofascinated every one with whom he came in touch. His name was DurandLeroux, and, strange to state, he looked enough like Peggy to be her ownbrother, yet try as they would, no vestige of a relationship could betraced, for Peggy came of purely Southern stock while Durand claimed NewEngland for his birthplace. Nevertheless, it became a good joke and theywere often spoken of as the twins, though Durand was three years Peggy'ssenior. 

Polly's chum, Ralph Wilbur, was about the same age as Durand, though inthe lowest or fourth class, having just entered the Academy, andconsequently was counted as very small fry indeed. He was a quiet, undemonstrative chap but Peggy liked him from the moment she met him. Hehad mastered one important bit of knowledge: That a "plebe" does well tolie low, and as the result of mastering that salient fact he was wellliked by the upper-classmen and found them ready to do him a good manyfriendly turns which a more "raty" fourth-classman would not have foundcoming his way. 

Altogether, Peggy found herself a member of a very delightful littlecircle and was happier than she had ever been in her life. In Mrs. Harold she found the love she had missed without understanding it, andin Polly a companion who filled her days with delight. 

And what busy days they were. So full of plans, duties and pleasures, for Mrs. Harold had been very quick to understand the barrenness ofPeggy's life in spite of her rich supply of this world's goods, and shepromptly set about rounding it out as it should have been. 

And so November with its wonderful Indian Summer slipped on, and it wasduring one of these ideal days that an absurd episode took place uponthe well-conducted estate of Severndale, which caused Peggy to be runmost unmercifully by the boys. But before we can tell of it a few wordsof explanation are needed. 

As can be readily understood, in a large institution like the NavalAcademy, where the boys foregather from every state in the Union, thereare all classes and all types represented. 

Among them are splendid, fine principled fellows, with high moralstandards and unimpeachable characters. And there are, alas, those ofanother type also, and these are the ones who invariably make troublefor others and are pretty sure to disgrace themselves. Fortunately, thistype rarely survives the four years' crucial test of character, efficiency and aptitude, but is pretty sure to "pack its little grip andfade away, " as the more eligible ones express it, long before it comestime to receive a diploma. 

Unhappily, there was one man in the present first class who had managedto remain in the Academy in spite of conduct which would have "bilged"(Academy slang for the man who has to drop out) a dozen others, and whowas the source of endless trouble for under-classmen over whom hecontrived to exert a wholly malign influence. He seemed to be not onlyutterly devoid of principle and finer feeling, but to take a perfectlyfiendish delight in corrupting the younger boys. His one idea of being"a man" seemed to lie in the infringement of every regulation of theAcademy, and to induce others to do likewise. He had caused thepresident of his class endless trouble and mortification, and distressedMrs. Harold beyond measure, for her interest in all in the Academy wasvery keen, and especially in the younger boys, whom she knew to be atthe most susceptible period of their lives. 

Had his folly been confined to mere boyish nonsense it might have beenoverlooked, but it had gone on from folly to vicious conduct and hisboast was that it was his duty to harden the plebes, his idea ofhardening them being to get them intoxicated. 

Now if there is one infringement of rules more sure to bring retributionupon the perpetrator than any other, it is intoxication, and the guiltyone is most summarily dealt with. This was fully known to Blue, thedelinquent referred to, but he had by some miraculous method thus farmanaged to escape conviction if not suspicion, though more than oneunfortunate under-classman had been forced to tender his resignation asthe result of going the pace with Blue. 

So serious had the situation become that the president of the firstclass had quietly set about a little plan in cooperation with othermembers of his class which would be pretty sure to rid the Academy ofits undesirable acquisition. It was only a question of giving Blueenough time to work his own undoing, and as things had begun to shape, this seemed pretty sure to take place. Naturally, with feeling runningso strong, Peggy heard a good deal of it when she visited Middies'Haven, especially since Durand Leroux, whom she had grown to like sowell, seemed to have been selected by Blue as his newest victim, greatlyto Mrs. Harold's distress, for she knew Durand to be far too easily led, and too generous and unsuspicious to believe evil of any one. Happy-go-lucky, carefree and ever ready for any frolic, he was exactly the typeto fall a victim to Blue's insidious influence, for Blue could befascinating to a degree when it served his turn. Blue was debarred theprivilege of visiting Middies' Haven, and his resentment of thisprompted him to try to wreak his vengeance upon Mrs. Harold's boys. Totheir credit be it told that he had hitherto failed, but she hadmisgivings of Durand; he was too mercurial. 

Now Peggy had, as chatelaine of Severndale, been more than once obligedto order the dismissal of some of the temporary hands employed about thepaddock, for Shelby was rigid upon the rule of temperance. He would haveno bibblers near the animals under his charge. He had seen too muchtrouble caused by such worthless employees. Consequently, Peggy was wisebeyond her years to the gravity of intemperance and had expressedherself pretty emphatically when Blue was discussed within the privacyof Middies' Haven, for what was told there was sacred. That was anunwritten law. And all this led to a ridiculous situation one day in themiddle of November, for comedy and tragedy usually travel side by sidein this world. 

It fell upon an ideal Saturday afternoon, a half-holiday at the Academy. It also happened to be Wheedles' birthday, and Mrs. Harold never let abirthday pass without some sort of a celebration if it were possible tohave one. She had told Peggy about it, and Peggy had promptly invited alittle party up to Round Bay. 

Now visiting for the midshipmen beyond the confines of the town ofAnnapolis is forbidden, but Mrs. Harold, as the wife of an officer, wasat liberty to take out a party of friends in one of the Academylaunches, so she promptly got together a congenial dozen, Ralph, Happy, Shortie, Wheedles and Durand, Captain Pennell and four others besidesPolly and herself, and in the crispness of the Indian Summer afternoon, steamed away up the Severn to Round Bay. 

Peggy had asked the privilege of providing the birthday feast andunderstanding the pleasure it would give her to do so, Mrs. Harold hadagreed most readily. So immediately after luncheon formation the partyembarked at the foot of Maryland Avenue and a gayer one it would havebeen hard to find. 

Knowing the average boy's appetite and the midshipman's in particular, Mrs. Harold had, with commendable forethought, brought with her a bigbox of crullers, in nowise disturbed by the thought that it might spoiltheir appetites for the delayed luncheon. Breakfast is served at sevenA. M. In Bancroft Hall, and the interval between that and twelve-thirtyluncheon is long enough at best. If you add to that another hour and ahalf it is safe to conclude that starvation will be imminent. Hence herbox of crullers to avoid such a calamity. 

The launch puffed and chugged its way up the river, running alongsidethe pretty Severndale dock sharp to the minute of four bells. Peggystood ready to welcome them. 

"Oh, isn't this lovely. Scramble ashore as fast as you can, for AuntCynthia is crazy lest her fried chicken 'frazzle ter a cinder, '" shecried as she greeted her guests. 

"Who said fried chicken?" cried Happy. 

"That last cruller you warned me against eating never fazed me a bit, Little Mother, " asserted Wheedles, as he assisted Mrs. Harold up thestone steps leading from the dock. 

"Beat you in a race to the lawn, Polly, " shouted Ralph, back inboyhood's world now that he was beyond the bounds of Bancroft, and thenext moment he and Polly were racing across the lawn like a pair ofchildren, for it seemed so good to be away for a time from theunrelaxing discipline of the Academy, and Polly realized this as well asthe others. 

"We are to have luncheon out under the oaks, " said Peggy. "It is tooheavenly a day to be indoors. Jerome and Mammy have everything ready sowe have nothing to do but eat. You won't mind picnicking will you, Mrs. Harold. "

"Mind!" echoed Mrs. Harold. "Why it is simply ideal, Peggy dear. What doyou say, sons?" she asked turning to the others. 

"Say! Say! Let's give the Four-N Yell right off for Peggy Stewart, Chatelaine of Severndale!" cried Wheedles, and out upon the clear, crispautumn air rang the good old Navy cheer:

 "N--n--n--n! A--a--a--a! V--v--v--v! Y--y--y--y!

 Navy!

 Peggy Stewart! Peggy Stewart! Peggy Stewart!"

Peggy's cheeks glowed and her eyes shone. It was something to win thatcheer from these lads, boys at heart, though just at manhood's morning, and sworn to the service of their flag. How she wished Daddy Neil couldhear it. Captain Pennell, into whose life during the past month had comesome incentive to live, joined in the yell with a will, giving his cap atoss into the air when the echoes of it went floating out over theSevern, while Mrs. Harold and Polly waved their sweaters wildly, andyelled with all their strength. 

Never had Severndale been more beautiful than upon that Novemberafternoon. October's rich coloring had given place to the dull reds, burnt-umbers, and rich wood browns of late autumn, though the grass wasstill green underfoot, and the holly and fir trees greener by contrast. 

And Peggy was in her element. 

Never in all her short life had she been so happy. All the instincts ofher Stewart ancestors with their Southern hospitality was findingexpression as she led the way to a grove of mighty oaks, tinged by nightfrosts to the richest maroon, and literally kings of their surroundings, for the deep umber tones of the beeches only served to emphasize theircoloring. Beneath them was spread a long table fairly groaning withsuggestions of the feast to come, and near it, flanked by Jerome andMammy, stood Dr. Llewellyn. 

As the party came laughing, scrambling or walking toward it he advancedto welcome Mrs. Harold, saying:

"Did you realize that there would be thirteen at the feast unless afourteenth could be pressed into service? Consider me as merely anecessary adjunct, please, and don't let the young people regard me as akill-joy because I wear a long coat buttoned straight up to my chin. Theonly difference really is that I have to keep mine buttoned whereas theyhave to HOOK THEIR collars, " and the good doctor laughed. Introductionsfollowed and then no time was lost in seating the luncheon party. 

Then came a moment's pause. Peggy understood and Mrs. Harold's intuitionserved her. She nodded to Dr. Llewellyn, and none there ever forgot thelight which illumined the fine old face as he bowed his head and saidsoftly in his beautifully modulated voice as though speaking to a lovedcompanion. 

"Father, for a world so beautiful, for a day so perfect, for the joy andprivilege of association with these young people, and the new life whichthey infuse into ours, we older ones thank Thee. Bring into their livesall that is finest, truest, purest and best--true manhood and womanhood. Amen. "

Not a boy or girl but felt the beauty of those simple words andremembered them for many a day. 

The grove was not far enough from the house to chance the ruin of any ofAunt Cynthia's dainties. A grassy path led straight to it from herkitchen and at the conclusion of Dr. Llewellyn's grace Peggy noddedslightly to Jerome who in turn nodded to Mammy Lucy, who passed the nodalong to some invisible individual, the series of nods bringing about aresult which nearly wrecked the dignity of the entire party, for outfrom behind the long brick building in which Aunt Cynthia ruled supreme, filed a row of little darkies each burdened with a dish, each bare-footed, each immaculate in little white shirt and trousers, eachsolemnly rolling eyes, the whites of which rivaled his shirt, and eachunder Cynthia's dire threat of having his "haid busted wide open if hedone tripped or spilled a thing, " walking as though treading upon eggs. 

Along they came, their eyes fixed upon Jerome, for literally they were"between the devil and the deep sea, " Jerome and Cynthia being at thebeginning and end of that path. Jerome and Mammy received and placedeach steaming dish, the very personification of dignity, and in nowisedisconcerted by the titter, which soon broke into a full-lunged shout, at the piccaninnies' solemn faces. 

It was all too much for good Captain Pennell and the boys, and any "ice"which might possibly have congealed the party, was then and theresmashed to smithereens. 

"Great! Great!" shouted Captain Pennell, clapping his hands like a boy. 

"Eh, this is going some, " cried Happy. 

"Bully for Chatelaine Peggy!" was Wheedles' outburst. 

"Who says Severndale isn't all right?" echoed Ralph. 

"Peggy, this is simply delicious, " praised Mrs. Harold. 

Peggy glowed and Jerome and Mammy beamed, while the little darkies beata grinning retreat to confide excitedly to Aunt Cynthia:

"Dem gemmens an' ladies yonder in de grove was so mighty pleased dat deyjist nachally bleiged fer ter holler and laugh. "

Far from proving drawbacks to the feast the captain and the doctorentered heart and soul into the frolic, the doctor as host, slylynodding to the ever alert Jerome or Mammy to replenish plates, thecaptain waxing reminiscent and telling many an amusing tale, and Mrs. Harold beaming happily upon all, while to and from Cynthia's realm ranthe little darkies full of enthusiasm for "dem midshipmen mens who suahcould eat fried chicken, corn fritters, glazed sweet 'taters, andwaffles nuff fer ter bust most mens. "

Certainly, Aunt Cynthia knew her business and if ever a picnic feast wasappreciated, that one was. 

But the climax came with the dessert. 

CHAPTER VIII

A SHOCKING DEMONSTRATION OF INTEMPERANCE

The merrymaking was at its height. The festive board had been clearedfor dessert. 

"Cleared for action, " Captain Pennell said. 

"Not heavy fire I hope, " sighed Shortie. "Peggy, will you excuse me, butI have surely got to let out a reef if anything more is coming, " andShortie let out a hole or two in the leather belt which encircled theregion into which innumerable waffles had disappeared. 

"There are others; yes there are CERTAINLY others, " laughed the captain. "Peggy, my child, to play Circe and still smile is absolutely cruel. Theancient Circe frowned upon her victims. "

"And how can I swallow another morsel, " was Polly's wail. "PeggyStewart, why will you have so many good things all at once? Couldn't youhave spread it out over several meals and let us have it on theinstalment plan?"

"Wheedles couldn't have his birthday that way, " laughed Peggy, unwittingly letting a cat escape from a bag, for woe upon the midshipmanwhose birthday is known. Thus far Wheedles had kept it a profoundsecret, and Mrs. Harold and Polly, who were wise to what was likely tohappen to him if it were known, had kept mum. But, alack, they hadforgotten to warn Peggy and her words touched off the mine. 

"Eh? What? Never! Something doing? You're a sly one. Thought you'd getoff scot-free, did you? Not on your sweet life! Let's give him what for. Excuse this digression, Peggy; it's a ceremony never omitted. It wouldhave been attended to earlier in the day had we suspected, and it can'tbe delayed any longer. Besides we MUST shake down that which has gonebefore if more is to follow. Beg pardon, Little Mother, but you know thetraditions. Make our peace with Dr. Llewellyn for this little side-show, " and the next second Wheedles was in full flight with all hischums hotfoot upon his trail. 

How in the world those boys could run as they did after such a feastwithout apoplexy following, must remain a mystery to all excepting thosewho have lived in their midst. 

Over the lawn, dodging behind the oaks, vaulting the fence into theadjoining field, to the consternation of half a dozen sleek, sedateAlderney cows, tore Wheedles, his pursuers determined to overhand himand administer the drubbing incident to the iniquity of having abirthday. 

Dr. Llewellyn and Captain Pennell rose to their feet, one shouting, theother yelling with the rest of the mob, while Mrs. Harold and the girlscould only sit and laugh helplessly. 

It was Shortie's long legs which overtook the quarry, both coming to theground with a crash which would have killed outright any one but afootball tackle and a basket-ball captain. In a second the whole bunchhad the laughing, helpless victim. 

"Look the other way please, people, " called Shortie, promptly placingWheedles across his knee--two men holding his arms, two more his kickinglegs--while Shortie properly and deliberately administered twentysounding spanks. Then releasing him he said to the others who werenothing loath:

"Finish the job. I've done my part and I've had one corking big feed. "

And they finished it by holding poor Wheedles by his shoulders and feetand bumping him upon the grass until he must have seen stars--AND THEDINNER WAS WELL SHAKEN DOWN. 

"NOW will you try to get away from us?" they demanded, putting him uponhis feet. 

"It's all over but the shouting, Little Mother, and we'll be good, " theylaughed as they trooped back to the table, settling blouses, and givinghasty pats to their dishevelled pates, for Wheedles had certainly giventhem a run for their money. 

Meanwhile, Jerome and Mammy had looked on half in consternation, half inglee, for where is your pure-blooded African, old or young, who doesn'tsympathize with monkey-shines? As the administrators of justice were inthe midst of their self-imposed duties, the half-dozen little darkyservitors appeared around the corner of the house bearing the dessert, and there is no telling what might have happened to it had not AuntCynthia, hearing the uproar, and "cravin' fer ter know ef de rown' worl'was a-comin' to an end, " followed close behind her satellites. Thatgreat mold of ice cream, mound of golden wine jelly, dishes of cakesgalore would certainly have met total destruction but for her prompt andemphatic command:

"Yo' chillern 'tend to yo' bisness an' nemmine what gwine on overyander. " That saved the feast, for the little darkies were convincedthat "one ob dose young mens liked ter be kill fer suah. "

Had it been mid-July instead of a Maryland November that ice cream couldnot have vanished more quickly, and in the process of its disappearance, Jerome vanished also. This was not noticed by Peggy's guests, but hisreturn was hailed with first a spontaneous shout and then a:

"Rah! Rah! Hoohrah! Hoohrah! Navy Hoohrah!" and "Oh that's some cake!""Nothing the matter with THAT edifice. " "Who said we couldn't eat anymore?" For with the dignity of a majordomo Jerome bore upon its frilledpaper doily a huge chocolate layer cake, ornately decorated with yellowicing, and twenty dark blue candles, their yellow flames barelyflickering in the still air, while behind him walked his littletrenchermen, one bearing a big glass pitcher of amber cider, another, dishes of nuts, and another a tray of Mammy Lucy's home-made candies. 

If ever a birthday cake was enjoyed and appreciated, certainly that onewas, and there is no telling how long the merry party would havelingered over the nuts, candies and cider had not a startlinginterruption taken place. 

The afternoon was well advanced. Mrs. Harold, the captain and Dr. Llewellyn had reached the limit of their appetites and were now watchingand listening to the merry chatter of the young people who sat sippingthe cider--they had long since passed beyond the DRINKING point--andeating the black walnuts and hickory nuts which had been gathered uponthe estate, for Severndale was famous for its cider and nuts. The ciderwas made from a brand of apples which had been grown in the days ofPeggy's great-grandfather and carefully cultivated for years. Theyripened late, and needed a touch of frost to perfect them. Theciderhouse and press stood just beyond the meadow in which theSeverndale cows led a luxurious life of it, and the odor of the richfruit invariably drew a line of them to the dividing fence, where theysniffed and peered longingly at "forbidden fruit. " But if every dog, aswe are told, has his day, certainly a cow may hope to have hers sometime. That it should have happened to be Wheedles' day also was merelyaccidental. 

As in most respectable communities there is almost invariably anindividual or two whose conduct is open to criticism, so in Severndale'seminently irreproachable herd of sleek kine there was one obstreperouscreature and her offspring. They were possessed to do the things theirmore well conducted sisters never thought of doing. The cow had a strainof distinctly plebian blood which, transmitted to her calf, probablyaccounted for their eccentricities. If ever a fence was broken through, if ever a brimming pail of milk was overturned, if a stable towel waschewed to ribbons, a feed bin rifled, it could invariably be traced toBetsy Brindle and her incorrigible daughter Sally Simple, and thisafternoon they surpassed themselves. As Peggy's guests sat in thatblissful state of mind and body resulting from being "serenely full, theepicure would say, " they were startled by an altogether rowdy, abandoned"Moo-oo-oo-oo, " echoed in a higher key, and over the lawn came two asdisreputable-looking animals as one could picture, for Betsy Brindle andher daughter, a pretty little year-old heifer, were unquestionably, undeniably, hopelessly intoxicated. Betsy was swaying and staggeringfrom side to side, wagging her head foolishly and mooing in the mostmaudlin manner, while Sally, whose potations affected her quitedifferently, was cavorting madly thither and yonder, one moment almoststanding upon her head, with hind legs and tail waving wildly in mid-air, the next with the order reversed and pawing frantically at theclouds. 

Behind the arrant ones in mad chase and consternation came the youngnegro lad whose duty it was to see that the cattle were properly housedat nightfall. He had gone to the meadow for his charges only to findthese incorrigibles, as upon many another occasion, missing. How longthey had been at large he could not guess. At last, after long search, he discovered them in the inclosure where the barreled apples were keptand two whole barrels rifled. When this had taken place his African minddid not analyze, though a scientist could have told him almost to anhour and explained also that in the cows' double stomachs the apples hadpromptly fermented and become highly intoxicating, with the presentresult. But poor Cicero was petrified. His young mistress entertaining"de quality" and his unruly charges scandalizing her by tearing intotheir very midst. 

"Moo--o--moo, e--moooo--" bellowed Betsy, making snake tracks across thelawn. 

"Moo, Moo, Moo, Moo, Mooee--" echoed Sally in lively staccato, doing awild Highland fling with quite original steps. 

"Hi dar! Come 'long away. Get off en dat lawn. Come away from dat 'arpa'ty, " screamed Cicero. "Ma Lawd-a-mighty, dem cows gwine 'grace me an'ruin me fer evah, " and it would doubtless have proved true had not theboys sprung to their feet to join in the cowherd's duties, only tooready for any prank which presented an outlet for their fun-lovingsouls. Shortie promptly took command of the defending forces, andcrying:

"Come on, fellows, head the old lady off before she knocks the tableendwise, " was off with a rush, the others hotfoot after him, waving armsand shouting until poor old Betsy Brindle's addled head must havethought all the imps of the lower regions turned loose upon her. Circling wide, the boys made a complete barrier beyond which the poortipsy cow dared not force her way. So with a hopelessly pathetic "moo"and a look at her adversaries which might have done credit to the mockturtle of Lewis Carrol's creation, she surrendered forthwith, andpromptly flopped down in the middle of the lawn. 

Not so her daughter. Not a bit of it! SHE had not finished her fling andnever did madder chase ensue than the one which at length ended ineffectually cornering the flighty one. 

"Lemme tote her home. Fer de Lawd's sake, sah, lemme tote her homequick, 'fore Unc' Jess an' Missie Peggy kill me daid, " begged Cicero. 

"You tote her home, you spindly little shaver! She'd part her cable andgo adrift in half a minute after you got under way. Come on, boys, we'vegot to convoy this craft into her home port. Make fast, " and with theexperience of three years' training in seamanship, Shortie and hiscompanions proceeded to make fast the recalcitrate Sally, and amidsthoots and yells calculated to sober up the most hopeless inebriate, theyled her to her barn where Cicero read her the riot act as he fastenedher in her stall. Meanwhile Betsy had succumbed to slumber and at Dr. Llewellyn's suggestion was left to sleep off the effects of her over-indulgence. When the boys got back from the barn poor Peggy was rununmercifully. 

"And we thought Severndale a model home. A well-conducted establishment. Yet the very first time we come out here we find even the COWS with ajag on that a confirmed toper couldn't equal if he tried, and yet youpose as a model young woman, Peggy Stewart, and are accepted in all goodfaith as our Captain Polly's friend. Watch out, Little Mother. Watchout. We can't let our little Captain visit where even the COWS give wayto such disgraceful performances. "

Poor Peggy was incapable of defending herself for she and Polly hadlaughed until they were weak, and for many a long day after Peggy heardof her tipsy cows. 

When peace once more descended upon the land it was almost time for thevisitors to return to Annapolis, but before departing they visited thepaddock, the stables, and the beautiful old colonial house. And so endedWheedles' birthday, and the next excitement was caused by the Army-Navygame to which Peggy went with Mrs. Harold's party, enjoying the outingas only a girl whose experiences have been limited, and who is ready fornew impressions, can enjoy. And with the passing of the game Novemberpassed also and before she knew it Christmas was upon her, and Christmashitherto for Peggy had meant merely gifts from Daddy Neil and amerrymaking for the servants. Without manifesting undue curiosity Mrs. Harold had learned a good deal concerning Peggy's life and nothing shehad learned had touched her so deeply as the loneliness of the holidayseason for the young girl. It seemed to her the most unnatural she hadever heard of, and something like resentment filled her heart when shethought of Neil Stewart's unconscious neglect of his little daughter. She argued that his failing to appreciate that he was neglectful did notexcuse the fact, and she resolved that this year Peggy should spend theholidays with her and Polly at Wilmot, and the servants at Severndalecould look to their own well-being. Nevertheless, Peggy laid her plansfor the pleasure of the Severndale help and saw to it that they wouldhave a happy time under Harrison's supervision. Then Peggy betookherself to Wilmot for the happiest Christmastide she had ever known. 

The holiday season at the Academy is always a merry one, but until veryrecently, there has been no Christmas recess and the midshipmen had tofind amusement right in the little old town of Annapolis, or within theAcademy's limits. The frolicking begins with the Christmas eve hop givenby the midshipmen. 

Mrs. Harold had not allowed Polly to attend the hops given earlier inthe winter, for she was a wise woman and felt that social diversions ofthat nature were best reserved for later years, when school-days wereended. But she made an exception at the Christmas season, when Polly incommon with other girls, had a holiday, and Peggy and Polly would go tothe hop. 

Unless one has seen a hop given at the Academy it is difficult tounderstand the beauty of the scene, and to Peggy it seemed a veritablefairy-land, with its lights, its banners, its lovely girls, uniformedladdies and music "which would make a wooden image dance, " she confidedto Mrs. Harold, and added: "And do you know, I used to rebel and be socranky when Miss Arnaud came to give me dancing-lessons when I was alittle thing. I just HATED it, and how she ever made me learn I justdon't know. But I had to do as she said, and maybe I'm not glad that IDID. Why, Little Mother, suppose I HADN'T learned. Wouldn't I have beenashamed of myself now?"

Mrs. Harold pulled a love-lock as she answered: "You train your colts, girlie, and they are the better for their training, aren't they?"

Peggy gave a quick glance of comprehension, and her lips curved in asmile as she said:

"But they never behave half as badly as I used to with Miss Arnaud. "

And so the Christmas eve was danced away. 

Christmas morning was the merriest Peggy had ever known. Long beforedaylight she was wakened by Polly shaking her and crying:

"Peggy, wake up! Wake up! What do you think? Aunt Janet has filledstockings and hung them on the foot of the bed. She must have slipped inwhile we were sound asleep, and oh, I don't wonder we slept after thatdance, do you?" rattled on Polly, scrambling around to close the windowand turn on the steam, for the morning was a snappy one. 

"Whow! Ooo!" yawned Peggy, to whom late hours were a novelty and whofelt as though she had dropped asleep only ten minutes before. "Why, Polly Howland, it's pitch dark, and midnight! I know it is, " sheprotested. "How do you know there are stockings there, anyway?"

"I was shivering and when I reached over to get the puff cover my handtouched something bumpy. I've felt of it and I KNOW it's a stocking. Inever thought of having one, for I thought all those things were wayback in little girl days. But turn on the electric lights quick--they'reon your side of the bed--and we'll see what's in them; the stockings, Imean. "

Peggy turned the button and the lights flashed up. 

"Goodness, isn't it freezing cold, " she cried. "Let's put the puff coveraround us, " and rolled up in the big down coverlet the girls dove intotheir bumpy stockings, exclaiming or laughing over the contents, forevidently the boys had been in the secret, for out of Peggy's came alittle bronze cow and calf labeled "C. And S. "

"Now what in the world does C. And S. Stand for, I wonder?" she said. 

"Oh, Peggy, those are the initials for 'Clean and Sober, ' the report theofficer-of-the-deck makes when the enlisted men come aboard after beingon liberty. If they are intoxicated and untidy they check them up D. AndD. --which means Drunk and Dirty. You'll never hear the last of BetsyBrindle's caper. "

"Well look and see what they've run you about, for you won't escape, I'll wager, " laughed Peggy as merrily as though it were broad daylightinstead of five A. M. 

Polly dove into her stocking to fish out a tiny rocking horse with adoll riding astride it. The horse was to all intents and purposes on amad gallop, for his rider's hair, DYED A VIVID RED, was streaming outbehind, her collar was flying loose, her feet were out of the stirrupsand one shoe was gone. The mad rider bore the legend:

"Lady Gilpin. "

A dozen other nonsensical things followed, but down in the toe of eachwas a beautiful 19-- class pin for each of the girls, with "Co-ed 19--"engraved on them and cards saying "with the compliments of the bunch. "

By the time the stockings' contents were investigated it was time todress and go with Mrs. Harold to see the Christmas Parade, always givenbefore breakfast in Bancroft Hall and through the Yard. Mrs. Haroldtapped upon the girls' door and was greeted with "Merry Christmas! MerryChristmas!" She entered, taking them in her arms and saying:

"Dozens and dozens for each of you, my little foster-daughters. I am soglad to have you with me, for Christmas isn't Christmas without youngpeople to enjoy it, and I think I've got some of the very sweetest andbest to be had--both daughters and sons. There are no more children likemy foster-children. I am one lucky old lady. "

"Old!" cried Peggy indignantly, "Why you'll never, never seem old to us, for you just think, and see, and feel every single thing as we do. "

"That's a pretty compliment, " replied Mrs. Harold, sealing her wordswith a kiss which was returned with earnest warmth, for Peggy waslearning to love this friend very dearly. 

The Christmas Parade was funny enough, for the midshipmen had sent toPhiladelphia for their costumes and every living thing, from FijiIslanders, to priests, bears, lions, ballet girls or convicts racedthrough the Yard to the music of "Tommy's band" as they called theridiculous collection of wind instruments over which one of themidshipmen waved his baton as bandmaster. 

When this great show ended, all hurried away to dress for breakfastformation, for many were the invitations to breakfast with friends outin town, legal holidays being the only days upon which such privilegeswere allowed. Mrs. Harold had a party of five beside Polly and Peggy andthe griddle cakes which vanished that morning rivaled the number ofwaffles which had disappeared at Severndale. When breakfast ended Mrs. Harold said:

"Can you young people give me about two hours out of your day? Polly andI have laid a little plan for someone's pleasure, which we know will beenhanced if you boys cooperate with us. "

"Count on us, Little Mother. "

"We'll do anything we can for you, for you do enough for us. "

"Sure thing, " were the hearty replies, while Peggy slipped to her sideto whisper: "I'd almost be willing to give up my 'Co-ed' class pin ifyou asked me to. "

"No such sacrifice as that, honey. But let's all go up to Middies' Havenwhere I'll tell you all about it. "

CHAPTER IX

DUNMORE'S LAST CHRISTMAS

When Mrs. Harold's little breakfast party returned to her sitting-room, she dropped into her favorite chair before the blazing log fire, motioning to the others to gather about her. Polly and Peggy promptlyperched upon the arms of her chair, nestling close; Durand squatted, Turk-fashion, upon a big cushion at her feet. Wheedles leaned withunstudied grace against the mantel-shelf, while Happy, Ralph, andShortie seated themselves upon the big couch whose capacity seemed to besomething like the magic tent of the Arabian Nights' tale, and capableof indefinite expansion. 

"What is it, Little Mother?" asked Wheedles, while Durand glanced upwith his deep, dark eyes, and a slight quiver of the sensitive mouth. 

"Just a little plan I have for Dunmore's happiness today" she answered, alluding to a second-classman who had been severely injured upon thefootball field late in October, and who had been paralyzed ever since. His people lived far away and it was difficult for them to reach him, and the day would have been a sad one but for his chums in the Academyand his many friends. 

Among these latter none were more devoted than Mrs. Harold and Polly, for Lewis Dunmore had been one of the Little Mother's boys since hefirst entered the Academy and she was nearly heart-broken at the seriousoutcome of his accident, as no hope was entertained of his recovery. 

All knew this, and the tenderest sympathy went out to the sick lad whohad never for a moment ceased to hope for ultimate recovery and whosepatience, courage and cheerfulness under conditions so terrible, filledwith admiration the hearts of all who knew him. 

Polly had been untiring in her devotion to him, and "the little foster-sister, " as he called her, spent many an hour in the hospital, reading, talking, or whistling like a bird, for whistling was Polly's soleaccomplishment. Peggy often went with her, for she loved to make othershappy, and many a weary hour was made less weary for him by the twogirls, and Peggy had sent many a dainty dish from Severndale, or thefruit and flowers for which it was noted. She knew Polly and Mrs. Howland had planned something for Christmas day, but waited for them totell her, feeling delicate about asking questions. She had sent overevery dainty she could think of and great bunches of mistletoe. 

Mrs. Harold smiled upon the young faces she loved so dearly and said

"Yesterday morning Polly and I sent up a lot of Christmas greens and atree for Lewis, and later went up to dress it, arranging with the nursesto put it in his room when he was sleeping that it might be the firstthing his eyes fell upon when he wakened this morning. He has probablybeen looking at it many an hour, but we told the nurses we would come upabout ten-thirty to give him the presents. We wanted to make it a merryhour for him, and so a lot of nonsensical things were put on for hisfriends also, among them you boys and some others to whom I havewritten, and who will meet us there. Can you join us?"

"Can we! Well why not? Sure! Poor old chap!" were some of the heartyresponses. 

"I knew I could count upon you, so let us start at once. Go get ready, girls. "

The girls flew to their room and a moment later came back coated andfurred, for the walk up to the hospital on the hill was a bleak one. Theboys were inured to all sorts of weather, and their heavy overcoats werea safe protection against it. It was a merry, frolicking party which setforth, and as they crossed the athletic field a lively snowballing tookplace, for a light snow had fallen the day before, turning the Yard intoa beautiful white world. 

Mrs. Harold was not to be outdone by any of her young people, butcatching up handfuls of snow in her woolen-gloved hands tossed snowballswith the best of them. 

The contrast from the joy, the vigorous health of the group enteringDunmore's room to the still, helpless figure lying upon the cot waspathetic. The invalid could not move his head, but his great brown eyes, and fine mouth smiled his welcome to his friends, and he said:

"Oh, it was great! Great! I saw it the first thing when I woke up. Andthe holly and mistletoe up here over my bed. I don't see how they got ithung there without my knowing when they did it. "

"That was our secret, " cried Polly. "And Peggy sent over the mistletoefrom Severndale, though she didn't know we were to have the tree. "

"Peggy, you are all right, " was Dunmore's hearty praise. "But that treeis the prettiest thing ever. I'm as crazy as a kid about it. I sort ofdreaded Christmas, but you people have fixed it up all right and I'm noend grateful. It's a great day after all. "

Peggy who was standing where Dunmore could not see her glanced at Polly. Polly nodded in quick understanding. "The day all right, " and the poorlad helpless as some lifeless thing. The girls' eyes filled with quicktears which they hastened to wink away, for not for worlds would theyhave saddened what both knew to be the last Christmas Lewis could passin this world, and Polly cried:

"Now, Tanta, let us have the presents!" For an hour the room was thescene of a happy merrymaking, as Shortie, because he was "built on linesto reach the top-gallants, " they said, distributed the gifts, funny ordainty, and Lewis' bed looked like a stand in a bazaar. Mrs. Harold hadgiven him a downy bathrobe; Peggy had made him a hop pillow; Polly hadmade up a nonsense jingle for each day for a month, sealing each in anenvelope and labelling it with dire penalties if read before the datenamed. 

But best of all, the class had sent him his class-ring and when it wasslipped upon his finger by his roommate, the poor lad broke downcompletely. 

Mrs. Harold hastened to the bedside and the others did their best torelieve the situation. 

The class-ring is never worn by a second-classman until the last exam ispassed by the first class. Then the new class-rings blossom forth in alltheir glory, for this ring is peculiarly significant: It is lookedforward to as one of the greatest events in the class' history, and is abadge of union forever. 

Realizing that Dunmore could not be with them when the time came forthem to put on their own, his classmates had unanimously voted to givehim his as a Christmas gift, and nothing they could have done couldpossibly have meant so much to him. He was prouder than he had ever beenbefore in his life, but--with the gift came the faint premonition of theinevitable; the first doubt of future recovery; the first hint thatperhaps he had been harboring false hopes, and it almost overwhelmedhim, and Mrs. Harold read it all in a flash. But Peggy saved the day. Slipping to his side she said:

"Aren't you proud to be the very first to wear it? They wanted to giveyou a Christmas present, but couldn't think of a single thing you'denjoy while you were so ill. Then they thought of the ring. Of courseyou could enjoy THAT, and there was no reason in the world that youshouldn't either, and the other boys will be happy seeing you wear itand count the days before they can put theirs on. And it is such abeauty, isn't it? We are all so glad you've got it. You can just wiggleyour finger and crow over the others every time they come to visit you. "

Lewis looked up at her and smiled. He understood better than she guessedwhy she had talked so fast, and was grateful, but the pang was beneaththe smile nevertheless. 

Then dinner-hour drawing near the white-capped nurse came in as a gentlehint that her patient had had about all the excitement he could stand, and Mrs. Harold suggested their departure. Their last glance showed themLewis Dunmore looking at his class-ring, for he could move that arm justenough to enable him to raise the hand within his range of vision. 

The week following was a happy one for all. Each afternoon an informaldance was given in the gymnasium and the girls pranced to their hearts'content. As the week drew to an end the weather grew colder and colderuntil with Saturday came a temperature which froze College Creek solid. This was most unusual for the season, but was hailed with wildrejoicings by the boys and girls, for skating is a rare novelty inAnnapolis. 

Saturday dawned an ideal winter day, clear, cold, and white. 

"Can you skate, Peggy?" asked Polly, diving into her closet for a pairof skates which she had brought South with her, though with small hopeof using them. 

"Y--e--s, " answered Peggy, doubtfully. "I can skate--after a fashion, but I'm afraid my skating will not show to very great advantage besideyours, you Northern lassie. "

"Nonsense. I'll wager one of Aunt Cynthia's cookies that you can skateas well as I can, though you never would admit it. "

There had not been much chance for stirring exercise for the girls sincethe snow fell and really cold weather set in, for there was not muchpleasure in riding under such conditions, and they had both missed thehealthy outdoor sport. But the prospect of skating set them both a-tingle to get upon the ice and they were eagerly awaiting the officialorder from the Academy, for no one is allowed upon the ice until it ispronounced entirely safe by the authorities, and the Commandant givespermission. Of course, this does not apply to the townspeople or to thatsection of the creek beyond the limits of the Academy, but it is veryrigidly enforced within it. As the girls were eager to learn whether thebrigade would have permission that afternoon, they went over to hear theorders read at luncheon formation, and came back nearly wild withdelight to inform Mrs. Harold that not only was permission granted butthat the band would play at the edge of the creek from four until sixo'clock. 

"And if THAT won't be ideal I'd like to know what can be, " cried Polly, and scarcely had she spoken when the telephone rang. 

"Hello. Yes, it's Polly. Of course we can. What time! To the veryminute. Yes, Peggy's right here beside me and fairly dancing up and downto know what we are talking about. No, don't come out for us; we willmeet you at the gate at three-thirty sharp. Good-bye, " and snapping thereceiver into its socket, Polly whirled about to catch Peggy in aregular bear hug and cry:

"It was Happy. He and the others want us ALL to come over at three-thirty. Aunt Janet, too. They have an ice-chair for her; they borrowedit from someone. Oh, won't it be fun!"

Peggy's dark eyes sparkled, then she said: "But my skates. They are 'wayout at Severndale. "

Without a word Mrs. Harold walked to the telephone and a moment laterwas talking with Harrison. The skates would be sent in by the twoo'clock car. Promptly at three-thirty the girls and Mrs. Harold enteredthe Maryland Avenue gate where they were met by Shortie, Wheedles, Happy, Durand and Ralph; Durand promptly appropriating Peggy, whileRalph, cried:

"Come on, Polly, this is going to be like old times up at Montgentian. "

It would have been hard to picture a prettier sight than the skaterspresented that afternoon, the boys in their heavy reefers and woolenwatch-caps; the girls in toboggan caps and sweaters. Over in the westthe sky was a rich rosy glow, for the sun sinks behind the hills byfour-thirty during the short winter afternoons. The Naval Academy bandstationed at the edge of the broad expanse of the ice-bound creek wassending its inspiring strains out across the keen, frosty air whichseemed to hold and toy with each note as though reluctant to let it dieaway. 

The boys took turns in pushing Mrs. Harold's chair, spinning it alongover the smooth surface of the ice in the wake of Peggy, Polly and theothers, who now and again joined hands to "snap-the-whip, " "run-the-train, " or go through some pretty figure. Polly and Ralph were clever atthis and very soon Peggy caught the trick. The creek was crowded, fornearly half the town as well as the people from the Yard were enjoyingthe rare treat. 

The band had just finished a beautiful waltz to which all had swungacross the creek in perfect rhythm, when one of the several enlistedmen, stationed along the margin of the creek, and equipped with stoutropes and heavy planks in the event of accident, sounded "attention" ona bugle. Instantly, every midshipman, officer, or those in any wayconnected with the Academy, halted and stood at attention to hear theorder. 

"No one will be allowed to go below the bridge. Ice is not safe, " rangout the order. 

Nearly every one heard and to hear was, of course, to obey for all inthe Academy, but there are always heedless ones, or stupid ones in thisworld, and in the numbers gathered upon the ice that afternoon therewere plenty of that sort, and it sometimes seems as though they weresent into this world to get sensible people into difficulties. Of coursethe heedless ones were too busy with their own concerns to pay heed tothe warning. A group of young girls from the town were skating togetherclose to the lower bridge. Durand and Peggy were near the MarineBarracks shore, when they became aware of their reckless venturing uponthe dangerous ice. 

"Durand, look, " cried Peggy. "Those girls must be crazy to go out thereafter hearing that order. "

"They probably never heard it at all. Some of those cits make me tired. They seem to have so little sense. Now I'll bet my sweater that everylast person connected with the Yard heard it, but, I'd bet TWO sweatersthat not half the people from the town did, yet there was no reason theyshouldn't. It was read for their benefit just exactly as much as ours, but they act as though we belonged to some other world and the orderswere for our benefit, but their undoing. "

"Not quite so bad as all that, I hope, " laughed Peggy, as they joinedhands and swung away. A moment later she gave a sharp cry. Durand hadturned and was skating backward with Peggy "in tow. " He spun around justin time to see a little girl about ten years of age throw up her handsand crash through the rotten ice. Peggy had seen her as she laughinglybroke away from the group of older girls to dart beneath the bridge. 

"Quick! Beat it for help, " shouted Durand, flinging off his reefer andstriking out for the screaming girls. He had not made ten strides when asecond girl in rushing to her friend's assistance, went through too, theothers darting back to safer ice and shrieking for help. Durand now hada proposition on hand in short order, but Peggy's wits worked rapidly:If she left Durand to go for help he would have his hands more thanfull. Moreover, the alarm had already been sounded and the Jackies werecoming on a run. So she did exactly as Durand was doing: laid flat uponthe ice and worked her way toward the second struggling victim. Durandhad caught the child and was doing his best to keep her afloat andhimself from being dragged into the freezing water, but Peggy's victimwas older and heavier. 

"Oh, save me! Save me!" she screamed. 

"Hush. Keep still and we'll get you out, " commanded Peggy, doing herutmost to keep free of the wildly thrashing arms, while holding on tothe girl's coat with all the strength of desperation. It would have goneill with the girl and Peggy, however, had not help come from the bridgewhere the Jackies had acted as such men invariably do: promptly andwithout fuss. In far less time than seemed possible, two of them, withropes firmly bound about their bodies, were in the water, while two morepulled them and their struggling charges to safety, and two more in theperfect order of their discipline drew Peggy and Durand from theirperilous situation, and just then Mrs. Harold's party came rushing up, she and Polly white with terror. 

"Peggy, Peggy, my little girl! If anything had happened to you, " criedMrs. Harold, gathering her into her arms. 

"But there hasn't. Not a single thing, Little Mother. I'm not hurt abit, and only a little wet and that won't hurt me because my clothes areso thick. " But the girl's voice shook and she trembled in spite of herwords, for the last few minutes had taxed both strength and courage. 

Meantime the boys had gathered about Durand, but boy-like made light ofthe episode though down in their hearts they knew it had required pluckand steady nerve to do as he had done, and their admiration foundexpression in hauling off their reefers to force them upon him, or ingiving him a clip upon the back and telling him he was "all right, " andto "come on back to Bancroft for a rub-down after his bath. " But no oneunderrated the courage of either and they were hurried home to be caredfor, though it was many hours before Mrs. Harold could throw off thehorror of what might have happened, and Peggy was a heroine for many aday to her intense annoyance. 

CHAPTER X

A DOMESTIC EPISODE

In spite of the scare all had received the previous Saturday, the NewYear's eve hop was thoroughly enjoyed, for neither Durand nor Peggy wasthe worse for the experience, and the old year was danced out uponlight, happy toes, only one shadow resting upon the joyous evening. 

For over a year, there had been an officer stationed at the Academy whohad been a source of discord among his fellow-officers, and a martinetwith the midshipmen. He was small, petty, unjust, and not aboveresorting to methods despised by his confreres. He was loathed by themidshipmen because they could never count upon what they termed "asquare deal, " and consequently never knew just where they stood. 

There were several who seemed to have incurred his especial animosity, and Durand in particular he hated: hated because the boy's quick witsinvariably got him out of the scrapes which his mischievous spiritprompted, and "Gumshoes, " as the boys had dubbed the officer, owing tohis habit of sneaking about "looking for trouble, " was not clever enoughto catch him. 

And thus it came about that, being once more circumvented by Durand onNew Year's eve in a trivial matter at which any other officer would havelaughed, he resorted to ways and means which a man with a finer sense ofhonor would have despised and--again he failed. But his chance came onNew Year's day, when Durand, led into one of the worst scrapes of hislife by Blue, fell into his clutches and the outcome was so serious thatthe entire brigade was restricted to the Yard's limits for three months, and gloom descended not only upon the Academy but upon all its friends. 

Naturally, with her boys debarred from Middies' Haven, Mrs. Harold coulddo little for the girls, and their only sources of pleasure lay in suchamusements as the town afforded and these were extremely limited. Somuch time was spent at Severndale with Peggy, and it was during one ofthese visits that Mrs. Harold figured in one of the domestic episodes ofSeverndale. They were not new to Peggy for she was Southern-born andused to the vagaries and childlike outbreaks of the colored people. Buteven though Mrs. Harold had lived among them a great deal, and thoughtshe understood them pretty thoroughly, she had yet to learn some of theAfrican's eccentricities. 

January dragged on, the girls working with Captain Pennell and Dr. Llewellyn. During the month, one of the hands, Joshua Jozadak JubalJones, by the way, fell ill with typhoid fever, and was removed to thehospital. From the first his chances of recovery seemed doubtful, and"Minervy" his wife, as strapping, robust a specimen of her race as poorJoshua was tiny and, as she expressed it, "pore and pindlin', " was in amost emotional frame of mind. Again and again she came up to the greathouse to "crave consolatiom" from Miss Peggy, or Mammy Lucy, though, truth to tell, Mammy's sympathies were not very deeply enlisted. MinervyJones did not move in the same SOCIAL SET in which Mammy held adignified position: Mammy was "an emerged Baptis'"; Minervy a "Shoutin'Mefodist, " and a strong feeling existed between the two little coloredchurches. Peggy visited the hospital daily and saw that Joshua lackedfor nothing. Mrs. Harold was deeply concerned for Peggy's sake, forPeggy looked to the well-being of all the help upon the estate with thedeep interest which generations of her ancestors had manifested, indeedregarded as incumbent upon them and part of their obligation to theirdependents. 

Days passed and poor Joshua grew no better, Minervy meanwhile spendingmost of her time in Aunt Cynthia's kitchen where she could sustain theinner woman with many a tidbit from the white folks' table, andspeculate upon what was likely to become of them if her "pore lilchillern were left widderless orphans. " It need hardly be added that theprospective "widderless orphans" were left to shift largely forthemselves while she was accepting both mental and physical sustenance. 

It was upon one of these visits, so indefinitely prolonged that Mammy'spatience was at the snapping point, that she decided to give a neededhint. Entering the kitchen she said to Aunt Cynthia:

"'Pears ter me yo' must have powerful lot o' time on han', Sis' Cynthy. "

"Well'm I AIN'T. No ma'am, not me, " was Cynthia's prompt reply, for totell the truth she was beginning to weary of doling out religiousconsolation and bodily sustenance, yet hospitality demanded something. 

"Well, I reckons Miss Peggy's cravin' fer her luncheon, an' it's hightime she done got it, too. Is yo' know de time?"

"Cou'se I knows de time, " brindled Cynthia, "but 'pears lak time don'count wid some folks. Kin YO' see de clock, Mis' Jones?"

The question was sprung so suddenly that Minerva jumped. 

"Yas'm, yas'm, Mis' Johnson, I kin see hit; yis, I kin, " answeredMinervy, craning her neck for a pretended better view. 

"Well, den, please, ma'am, tell me just 'zactly what it IS. "

This was a poser. Minervy knew no more of telling time than one of herown children, but rising from her chair, she said:

"I 'clar ter goodness, I'se done shed so many tears in ma sorrer andgrief over Joshua dat I sho' is a-loosin' ma eyesight. " She then wentclose to the clock, looked long and carefully at it, but shook her headdoubtfully. At length a bright idea struck her and turning to Cynthiashe announced:

"Why, Sis' Cynthia, I believes yo' tryin' ter projec' wid me; dat clockdon' STRIKE 'TALL. But I 'clar I mus' be a-humpin' masef todes derachillern. I shore mus'. "

"Yes, I'd 'vise it pintedly, " asserted Cynthia, while Mammy Lucy added:

"It's sprisin' how some folks juties slips dey min's. "

Three days later word came to Severndale that Joshua could hardlysurvive the day and Peggy, as she felt duty bound, went over toMinervy's cabin. She found her sitting before her fire absolutely idle. 

"Minervy, " she began, "I have had word from the hospital and Joshua isnot so well. I think you would better go right over. "

"Yas'm, yas'm, Miss Peggy, I spec's yo' sees it dat-a-way, honey, but--but yo' sees de chillern dey are gwine car'y on scan'lus if I leaves'em. My juty sho' do lie right hyer, yas'm it sho' do. "

"But Minervy, Joshua cannot live. "

"Yas'm, but he ain' in his min' an' wouldn't know me no how, but desehyer chillerns is ALL got dey min's cl'ar, an' dey STUMMICKS empty. No'm, I knows yo' means it kindly an' so I teks hit, but I knows majuty, " and nothing Peggy could say had any effect. 

That night Joshua died. The word came to Severndale early the followingmorning. 

"Well, " said Mrs. Harold, "from her philosophical resignation to thesituation yesterday, I don't imagine she will be greatly overcome by thenews. "

"Mh--um, " was Mammy's non-committal lip-murmur, and Peggy wagged herhead. Mrs. Harold and Polly were spending the week at Severndale, andwere dressing for breakfast. Their rooms communicated with Peggy's andthey had been laughing and talking together when the 'phone messagecame. 

"Mammy, " called Peggy. "Please send word right down to Minervy. "

"Yas, baby, I sends it, and den yo' watch out, " warned Mammy. 

"What for?" asked Peggy. 

"Fo' dat 'oman. She gwine mak one fuss DIS time ef she never do again. "

"Nonsense, Mammy, I don't believe she cares one straw anyway. She is themost unfeeling creature I've ever seen. "

"She may be ONfeelin' but she ain' ON-doin', yo' mark me, " and Mammywent off to do as she was bidden. 

Perhaps twenty minutes had passed when the quiet of the lower floor wastorn by wild shrieks and on-rushing footsteps, with voices vainlycommanding silence and decorum: commands all unheeded. Then came a finalrush up the stairs and Minervy distraught and dishevelled burst intoMrs. Harold's room, and without pausing to see whom she was fallingupon, flung her arms about that startled woman, shrieking:

"He's daid! He's daid! Dem pore chillern is all widderless orphans. Ifelt it a-comin'! Who' gwine feed an' clothe and shelter dose porelambs? Ma heart's done bruck! Done bruck!"

"Minervy! Minervy! Do you know what you are doing! Let go of Mrs. Haroldthis instant, " ordered Peggy, nearly overcome with mortification thather guest should meet with such an experience at Severndale. "Do youhear me? Control yourself at once. "

She strove to drag the hysterical creature from Mrs. Harold, but shemight as well have tried to drag away a wild animal. Minervy continuedto shriek and howl, while Mammy, scandalized beyond expression, scoldedand stormed, and Jerome called from the hall below. 

Then Mrs. Harold's sense of humor came to her rescue and she had aninspiration, for she promptly decided that there was no element of griefin Minervy's emotions. 

"Minerva, Minerva, HAVE you ordered your mourning? You knew Joshua couldnot live, " she cried. 

Had she felled the woman with a blow the effect could not have been morestartling. Instantly the shrieks ceased and releasing her hold Minervystruck an attitude:

"No'm, I HASN'T! I cyant think how I could a-been so careless-like, an'knowin' all de endurin' time dat I boun' fer ter be a widder. How couldI a-been so light-minded?"

"Well, you have certainly got to have some black clothes right off. Itwould be dreadful not to have proper mourning for Joshua. "

Meanwhile Peggy and Polly had fled into the next room. 

"I sho' mus', ma'am. How could I a-been so 'crastinatin' an' po' Joshuaa-dyin' all dese hyer weeks. I am' been 'spectful to his chillern; dat Iain't. Lemme go right-way an' tink what I's needin'. But please ma'am, is YO' a widder 'oman? Case ef yo' is yo's had spurrience an' kin tellme bes' what I needs. "

It was with difficulty that Mrs. Harold controlled her risibles, soutterly absurd rather than pathetic was the whole situation, for not oneatom of real grief for Joshua lay in poor, shallow Minervy's heart. ThenMrs. Harold replied:

"No, Minervy. I am not a widow; at least I am only a GRASS widow, andthey do not wear mourning, you know. "

"No'm, no'm, I spec's not. But what mus' I git for masef an' does po'orphans!"

"Well, you have a black skirt, but have you a waist and hat? And youwould better buy a black veil; not crape, it is too perishable; getnun's veiling, and--"

"Nun's veilin'? Nun's veilin'?" hesitated Minervy. "But I ain' NO NUN, mistiss, I'se a WIDDER. I ain' got no kind er use fer dem nunses wha'don' never mahry. I'se been a mahryin' 'oman, _I_ is. "

"Well you must choose your own veil then, " Mrs. Harold managed to reply. 

"Yas'm, I guesses I better, an' I reckons I better git me a belt an'some shoes, 'case if I gotter be oneasy in ma min' dars no sort o'reason fer ma bein' uneasy in ma FOOTS too, ner dem chillern neither. Dey ain' never is had shoes all 'roun' ter onct, but I reckons deybetter he fitted out right fer dey daddy's funeral. Dey can't tend ithut onct in all dey life-times no how. And 'sides, I done had his lifeassured 'gainst dis occasiom, an' I belongs ter de sassiety wha' burysfolks in style wid regalions. Dey all wears purple velvet scaffses oberdey shoulders an' ma'ches side de hearse. Dar ain' nothin' cheap an' no'count bout DAT sassiety. No ma'am! An' I reckons I better git rightlong and look arter it all, " and Minervy, still wiping her eyes, hurriedfrom the room, Mammy's snort of outrage unheeded, and her words:

"NOW what I done tole yo', baby? I tells yo' dat 'oman ain' mo'n ha'fhuman if she IS one ob ma own color. _I_'S a cullured person, but she'sjist pure nigger, yo' hyar me?" and Mammy flounced from the room. 

Polly and Peggy reentered Mrs. Harold's room. She had collapsed upon thedivan, almost hysterical, and Polly looked as though someone had dashedcold water in her face. Peggy was the only one who accepted thesituation philosophically. With a resigned expression she said:

"THAT'S Minervy Jones. She is one type of her race. Mammy is another. Now we'll see what she'll buy. I'll venture to say that every penny shegets from Joshua's life-insurance will be spent upon clothes for herselfand those children. "

"And _I_ started the idea, " deplored Mrs. Harold. 

"Oh, no, you did not. She would have thought of it as soon as she wasover her screaming, only you stopped the screaming a little sooner, forwhich we ought to be grateful to you. She is only one of many moreexactly like her. "

"Do you mean to tell me that there are many as heedless and foolish asshe is?" demanded Mrs. Harold. 

"Dozens. Ask Harrison about some of them. "

"Well, I never saw anything like her, " cried Polly, indignantly. "Ithink she is perfectly heartless. "

"Oh, no, she isn't. She simply can't hold more than one idea at a time. Just now it's the display she can make with her insurance money. Theyinsure each other and everything insurable, and go half naked in orderto do so. The system is perfectly dreadful, but no one can stop them. Probably every man and woman on the place knows exactly what she willreceive and half a dozen will come forward with money to lend her, sureof being paid back by this insurance company. It all makes me positivelysick, but there is no use trying to control them in that direction. Idon't wonder Daddy Neil often says they were better off in the old dayswhen a master looked after their well-being. "

An hour later Minervy was driving into Annapolis, three of her booncompanions going with her, the "widderless orphans" being left to get onas best they could. She spent the entire morning in town, returningabout three o'clock with a wagonful of purchases. Poor Joshua's remainswere being looked after by the Society and would later come toSeverndale. 

Mrs. Harold and the girls were sitting in the charming living-room whenJerome came to ask if Miss Peggy would speak with Minervy a moment. 

"Oh, DO bring her in here, " begged Mrs. Harold. 

Peggy looked doubtful, but consented, and Jerome went to fetch thewidow. 

When she entered the room Mrs. Harold and the girls were sorely put toit to keep sober faces, for Minervy had certainly outdone herself; notonly Minervy, but her entire brood which followed silently andsheepishly behind her. Can Minervy's "mourning" be described? Upon herhead rested a huge felt hat of the "Merry Widow" order, and encirclingit was a veil of some sort of stiff material, more like crinoline thancrape. There were YARDS of it, and so stiff that it stuck straight outbehind her like a horse's tail. Under the brim was a white WIDOW'Sruche. Her waist was a black silk one adorned with cheap embroidery, anda broad belt displayed a silver buckle at least four inches in diameter, ornamented with a huge glass carbuncle at least half the buckle's size. On her own huge feet were a pair of shining patent-leather shoessporting big gilt buckles, and each child wore PATENT-LEATHER DANCINGPOMPS. 

"Why, Minervy, " cried Peggy, really distressed, "How COULD you?"

"Why'm, ain' we jist right? I thought I done got bargains wha' jistnachally mak' dat odder widow 'oman tek a back seat AN' sit down. SHEdidn't git no sich style when James up an died, " answered Minervy, reproach in her tone and eyes. 

"But, Minervy, " interposed Mrs. Harold. "That bright red stone in thebuckle; how can you consider THAT MOURNING? And your veil shouldn'tstick--I mean it ought to hang down properly. "

Minervy looked deeply perturbed. Shifting from one patent-leather-shodfoot to the other, she answered:

"Well'm, well'm, I dare say you's had more spurrience in dese hyert'ings 'n I is, but dat ston certain'y did strike ma heart. But ef yo'say 'taint right why, pleas ma'am git a pair o' scissors an' prize itout, tho' I done brought de belt fer de sake ob dat buckle. Well, nemmine. I reckons I kin keep it, an' if I ever marhrys agin it sho willcome in handy. "

The combined efforts of Mrs. Harold, Peggy and Polly eventually gotMinervy passably presentable as to raiment, but there they gave up theobligation. 

On the following Sunday the funeral was held with all the ceremony anddisplay dear to the African heart, but "Sis Cynthia, Mammy Lucy andJerome were too occupied with domestic duties to attend. " "I holds masefclar 'bove sich goin's-on, " was Mammy's dictum. "When _I_ dies, I'spects ter be bur'rid quiet an' dignumfied by ma MISTISS, an' no sichcrazy goin's on as dem yonder. "

Later Minervy and her "nine haid ob chillern" betook themselves into thetown of Annapolis where matrimonial opportunities were greater, and, sure enough, before two months were gone by she presented herself toPeggy, smiling and coy, to ask:

"Please, ma'am, is yo' got any ol' white stuff wha' I could use fer abridal veil?"

"A BRIDAL veil?" repeated Peggy, horrified at this new development. 

"Yas'm, dat's what I askin' fer. Yo' see, Miss Peggy, dat haid waiterman at de Central Hotel, he done fall in love wid ma nine haid o' po'orphanless chillern an' crave fer ter be a daddy to 'em. An' Miss Peggy, honey, Johanna she gwine be ma bride's maid, an' does yo' reckon yo'sgot any ole finery what yo' kin giv' her? She's jist 'bout yo' size, ma'am. "

Johanna was Minervy's eldest daughter. 

"Yes. I'll get exactly what you want, " cried Peggy, her lips set and hereyes snapping, for her patience was exhausted. 

Going to her storeroom Peggy brought to light about three yards of whitecotton net and a pistachio green mull gown, long since discarded. It wasmade with short white lace sleeves and low cut neck. 

"Here you are, " she said, handing them to Minervy who was thrown into astate of ecstacy. "But wait a moment; it lacks completeness, " and sheran to her room for a huge pink satin bow. "There, tell Johanna to pinTHAT on her head and the harlequin ice will be complete. "

But her sarcasm missed its mark. Then Peggy went to her greenhouses andgathering a bunch of Killarney roses walked out to the little burial lotwhere the Severndale help slept and laying them upon Joshua's grave saidsoftly:

"YOU were good and true and faithful, and followed your light. "

[Footnote: NOTE--The author would like to state that this episodeactually did take place upon the estate of a friend. ]

CHAPTER XI

PLAYING GOOD SAMARITAN

February had passed and March was again rushing upon Severndale. A cold, wild March, too. Perhaps because it was coming in like a lion it wouldgo out like a lamb. It is nearly a year since we first saw Peggy Stewartseated in the crotch of the snake-fence talking with Shashai andTzaritza, and in that year her whole outlook upon life has changed. Trueit was then later in the month and spring filled the air, but a fewweeks make vast changes in a Maryland springtide. And Daddy Neil wascoming home soon! Coming in time for an alumni meeting during June weekat the Academy, and Mr. Harold was coming also. These facts threw everyone at Severndale, as well as Mrs. Harold and Polly into a flutter ofanticipation. But several weeks--yes, three whole months in fact--mustelapse before they would arrive, for the ships were only just leavingGuantanamo for Hampton Roads and then would follow target practice offthe Virginia Capes. 

Mrs. Harold and Polly were going to run down to Hampton Roads for aweek, to meet Mr. Harold, but Commander Stewart's cruiser would not bethere. He was ordered to Nicaragua where one of the periodicalinsurrections was taking place and Uncle Sam's sailor boys' presencewould probably prove salutary. At any rate, Neil Stewart could not be atHampton Roads, and consequently Peggy decided not to go down with herfriends, though urged to join them. Meanwhile she worked away withCompadre and as March slipped by acquired for Severndale a most valuableaddition to its paddock. 

It all came about in a very simple manner, as such things usually do. 

All through Maryland are many small farms, some prosperous, some soslack and forlorn that one wonders how the owners subsist at all. Itoften depends upon the energy and industry of the individual. Thesefarmers drive into Annapolis with their produce, and when one sees theanimals driven, and vehicles to which they are harnessed, one oftenwonders how the poor beasts have had strength to make the journey evenif the vehicle has managed to hold together. Often there is a lively"swapping" of horses at the market-place and a horse may change ownersthree or four times in the course of a morning. 

It so happened that Peggy had driven into Annapolis upon one of thesemarket days, and having driven down to the dock to make inquiry for somedelayed freight, was on her way back when she noticed a pair of flea-bitten gray horses harnessed to a ramshackle farm wagon. The wagonwheels were inches thick with dry mud, for the wagon had probably neverbeen washed since it had become its present owner's property. Theharness was tied in a dozen places with bits of twine, and the horseswere so thin and apparently half-starved that Peggy's heart ached to seethem. Pulling up her own span she said to Jess:

"Oh, Jess, how CAN any one treat them so? They seem almost too weak tostand, but they have splendid points. Those horses have seen better daysor I'm much mistaken and they come of good stock too. "

"Dey sho' does, missie, " answered Jess, pleased as Punch to see hisyoung mistress' quick eye for fine horseflesh, though it must beadmitted that the fine qualities of these horses were well disguised, and only a connoisseur could have detected them. 

As they stood looking at the horses the owner came up accompanied byanother man. They were in earnest conversation, the owner evidentlyprotesting and his companion expostulating. Something impelled Peggy totarry, and without seeming to do so, to listen. She soon grasped thesituation: The horses' owner owed the other man some money which he wasunable to pay. The argument grew heated. Peggy was unheeded. The upshotwas the transfer of ownership of one of the span of horses to the otherman, the new owner helping unharness the one chosen, its mate looking onwith surprised, questioning eyes, as though asking why he, too, was notbeing unharnessed. The new owner did not seem over-pleased with hisbargain either (he lacked Peggy's discernment) and vented his ill-temperupon the poor horse. Presently he led him away, the mate whinnying andcalling after his companion in a manner truly pathetic. 

"Quick, Jess, " ordered Peggy, "go and find out who that man is and wherehe is taking that horse, but don't let him suspect why. "

Jess scrambled out of the surrey, saying: "Yo' count on ME, Miss Peggy. I's wise, I is; I ketches on all right. "

Peggy continued to watch. The man sat down upon an upturned box near hiswagon, buried his face in his hands and seemed oblivious of all takingplace around him. Presently the horse turned toward him and nickeredquestioningly. The man looked up and reaching out a work-hardened hand, stroked the poor beast's nose, saying:

"'Taint no use, Pepper; he's done gone fer good. Everythin's gone, and Iwisht ter Gawd I was done gone too, fer 'taint no use. The fight's toohard for us. "

Just then he caught the eye of the young girl watching him. There wassomething in her expression which seemed to spell hope: he felt utterlyhopeless. She smiled and beckoned to him. She was so used to beingobeyed that his response was as a matter of course to her. He movedslowly toward the surrey, resting his hand upon the wheel and looking upat her with listless eyes. "You want me, miss?" he asked. 

Peggy said gently:

"I couldn't help seeing what happened; I was right here. Please don'tthink me inquisitive, but would you mind telling me something about yourhorses? I love them so, and--and--and--I think yours have good blood. "

The furrowed, weatherbeaten face seemed transformed as he answered:

"Some of the best in the land, miss. Some of the best. How did ye guessit?"

"I did not guess it; I knew it. I raise horses. "

"Then you're Miss Stewart from Severndale, ain't ye?"

"Yes, and you?"

"I'm jist Jim Bolivar. I live 'bout five mile this side of Severndale. Lived there nigh on ter twenty year, but YO' wouldn't never know me, o'course, though I sometimes drives over to yo' place. "

"But how do you expect to drive back all that distance with only onehorse? Did you sell the other, or only lend him?"

For a moment the man hesitated. Then looking into the clear, tender eyeshe said:

"He had ter go, miss. Everything's gone ag'in me for over a year; I owedSteinberger fifty dollars; I couldn't pay him; I'd given Salt fers'curity. "

"Salt?" repeated Peggy in perplexity. 

"Yes'm, Pepper's mate. I named 'em Pepper 'n Salt when they was youngcolts, " and a faint smile curved the speaker's lips. Peggy nodded andsaid:

"Oh, I see. That was clever. They DO look like pepper and salt. "

"Did, " corrected the man. "There ain't but one now. But Salt were worthmore 'n fifty dollars; yes, he were. "

 "He certainly was, " acquiesced Peggy. "Do you want to sell Pepper too?"

"I'd sell my HEART, miss, if I could get things fer Nell. "

"Who is Nell?"

"My girl, miss. Nigh 'bout yo' age, I reckons, but not big an' healthyan' spry like yo'. She's ailin' most o' the time, but we's mighty po, 'miss, mighty po'. We ain't allers been, but things have gone agin uspretty steady. Last year the hail spoilt the crops, an' oh well, yo'don't want ter hear 'bout my troubles. "

"I want to hear about any one's troubles if I can help them. How shallyou get back to your place?"

"Reckon I'll have ter onhitch an' ride Pepper back, on'y I jistnatchelly hate ter see Nell's face when I get thar 'thout Salt. She setsich store by them horses, an' they'd foiler her anywheres. I sort terhate ter start, miss. "

"Listen to me, " said Peggy. "What does Nell most need?"

"Huh! MOST need? Most need? Well if I started in fer ter tell what sheMOST needs I reckon you'd be scart nigh ter death. She needs everythin'an' seems like I can't git nothin'. "

"Well what did you hope to get for her?" asked Peggy, making a randomshot. 

"Why she needs some shoes pretty bad, an' the doctor said she ought terhave nourishin' things ter eat, but, somehow, we can't seem ter git manyextras. "

"Will you go into the market and get what you'd like from Mr. Bodwell?Here, give him this and tell him Miss Stewart sent you, " and hastilytaking a card from her case, Peggy wrote upon it:

"Please give bearer what is needed, " and signed her name. "Get a goodthick steak and anything else Nell would like. "

The man hesitated. "But I ain't askin' charity, miss. "

"This is for NELL, and maybe I'll buy Pepper--if SHE will sell him, "flashed Peggy, with a radiant smile. 

"I'll do as yo' tell me, miss. Mebbe it's Providence. Nell always says:'The good Lord'll tell us how, Dad, ' an' mebbe she's right, mebbe sheis, " and worn, weary, discouraged Jim Bolivar went toward the market. During his absence Jess returned. 

"Dat man's a no' 'count dead beat, Miss Peggy. Yas'm, he is fer a fac', an' he gwine treat dat hawse scan'lous. "

Peggy's eyes grew dark. "We'll see, " was all she said, but Jesschuckled. Most of the help at Severndale knew that look. "Jess, unharness that horse and tie him behind the surrey, " was her nextastonishing order. 

"Fo' de Lawd's sake, Miss Peggy, what yo' bown' fer ter do? Yo' gwinestart hawsestealin'?" Jess didn't know whether to laugh or take itseriously. When Jim Bolivar returned Pepper was trying to reason out thewherefor of being hitched behind such a handsome vehicle as Peggy'ssurrey, and Jess was protesting:

"But--but--butter, " stammered Jess, "Miss Peggy, yo' am' never in deroun' worl' gwine ter drive from de town an' clar out ter Severndale widdat disrep'u'ble ol' hawse towin' 'long behime WE ALL?"

"I certainly am, and what is more, Jim Bolivar is going to sit on theback seat and hold the leader. He has got to get HOME and he can'twithout help. Mr. Bolivar, please do as I say, " Peggy's voice held amerry note but her little nod of authority meant "business. "

"But look at me, miss, " protested Bolivar. "I ain't fit ter ride withyo', no how. "

"I am not afraid of criticism, " replied Peggy, with the little up-tilting of the head which told of her Stewart ancestry. "When I know athing is right I DO it. Steady, Comet. Quiet, Meteor, " for the horseshad been standing some time and seemed inclined to proceed upon two legsinstead of four. "We'll stop at Brooks' for the shoes, then we'll goaround to Dove's; I've a little commission for him. "

"Yas'm, yas'm, " nodded Jess. 

The shoes were bought, Peggy selecting them and giving them to Bolivarwith the words: "It will soon be Easter and this is my Easter gift toNellie, with my love, " she added with a smile which made the shoes ahundred-fold more valuable. 

Then off to the livery stable. 

"Mr. Dove, do you know a man named Steinberger?"

"I know an old skinflint by that name, " corrected Dove. 

"Well, you are to buy a horse from him. Seventy-five dollars OUGHT to bethe price, but a hundred is available if necessary. But do your best. The horse's name is Salt--yes--that is right, " as Dove lookedincredulous, "and he is a flea-bitten gray--mate to this one behind us. Steinberger bought him today, and I want you to beat him at his own gameif you can, for he has certainly beaten a better man. "

"You count on me, Miss Stewart, you count on me. Whatever YOU say goeswith me. "

"Thank you, I'll wait and see what happens. "

Their homeward progress was slower than usual, for poor half-starvedPepper could not keep pace with Comet and Meteor. About four miles fromAnnapolis Bolivar directed them into a by-road which led to an isolatedfarm, as poor, forlorn a specimen as one could find. But in spite of itsdisrepair there was something of home in its atmosphere and the dooryardwas carefully brushed. Turkey red curtains at the lower windows gave anair of cheeriness to the lonely place. As they drew near a hound camebounding out to greet them with a deep-throated bark, and a moment latera girl about Peggy's age appeared at the door. Peggy thought she hadnever seen a sweeter or a sadder face. She was fair to transparency withgreat questioning blue eyes, masses of golden hair waving softly backfrom her face and gathered into a thick braid. She walked with a slightlimp, and looked in surprise at the strange visitors, and her big blueeyes were full of a vague doubt. 

"It's all right, honey. It's all right, " called Bolivar. "'Aint nothin'but Providence a-workin' out, I reckon, jist like yo' say. 

"We have brought your father and Pepper home. Salt is all right, Nelly. You will see him again pretty soon. "

"Oh, has anything happened to Salt, Dad?" asked the girl quickly. 

"Well, not anything, so-to-speak. Jist let Miss Stewart, here, run itand it'll come out all right. I'm bankin' on that, judgin' from the wayshe's done so far. She's got a head a mile long, honey, she has, an' hasmine beat ter a frazzle. Mine's kind o' wore out I reckon, an' no'count, no more. Come long out an' say howdy. "

Nelly Bolivar came to the surrey and smiling up into Peggy's face, said:

"Of course I know who you are, everybody does, but I never expected toreally, truly know you, and I'm a right proud girl to shake hands withyou, " and a thin hand, showing marks of toil, was held to Peggy. Therewas a sweet dignity in the act and words. 

Peggy took it in her gloved one, saying:

"I didn't suspect I was so well known. For a quiet girl I'm beginning toknow a lot of people. But I must go now, it is getting very late. Yourfather is going to bring Pepper over to see me soon and maybe he willbring you, too. He has such a lot to tell you that I'll not delay it abit longer. Good-bye, and remember a lot of pleasant things are going tohappen, " and with the smile which won all who knew her, Peggy droveaway. 

If people's right ears burn when others are speaking kindly of them, Peggy's should have burned hard that evening, for Nelly Bolivar listenedeagerly as her father told of the afternoon's experiences and Peggy'spart in them. 

Two days later Salt was delivered at Severndale. Dove had been as goodas his word. Shelby gave him one glance and said:

"Well, if some men knew a HOSS as quick as that thar girl does, there'dbe fewer no 'count beasts in the world. Put him in a stall and tell JimJarvis I want him to take care of him as if he was the Emperor. I knowwhat I'm sayin', an' Miss Peggy knows what she's a-doin', an' that'smore 'n I kin say for MOST women-folks. "

So Salt found himself in the lap of luxury and one week of it sotransformed him that at the end of it poor Pepper would hardly haveknown his mate. Yet with all the care bestowed upon him the poor horsegrieved for his mate, and never did hoof-beat fall upon the groundwithout his questioning neigh. 

Peggy visited him every day and was touched by his response to herpetting; it showed what Nelly had done for him. But she was quick tounderstand the poor creature's nervous watching for his lost mate, andevident loneliness. At length she had him turned into the paddock withthe other horses, but even this failed to console him. He stood at thepaling looking down the road, again and again neighing his call for thecompanion which failed to answer. Peggy began to wonder what had becomeof Jim Bolivar. Two more weeks passed. Mrs. Harold and Polly hadreturned from Old Point and upon a beautiful April afternoon Polly andPeggy were out on the little training track where Polly, mounted uponSilver Star, was taking her first lesson in hurdles; a branch of herequestrian education which thus far had not been taken up. 

Star was beautifully trained, and took the low hurdles like a lapwing, though it must be confessed that Polly felt as though her head hadsnapped off short the first time he rose and landed. 

"My gracious, Peggy, do you nearly break your neck every time you take afence?" she cried, settling her hat which had flopped down over herface. 

"Not quite, " laughed Peggy, skimming over a five-barred hurdle as thoughit were five inches. "But, oh, Polly, look at Salt! Look at him! He actsas though he'd gone crazy, " she cried, for the horse had come to thefence which divided his field from the track and was neighing and pawingin the most excited manner, now and again making feints of springingover. 

"Why I believe he would jump if he only knew how, " answered Pollyeagerly. 

"And I believe he DOES know how already, " and Peggy slipped from Shashaito go to the fence. Just then, however, the sound of an approachingvehicle caught her ears, and the next instant Salt was tearing awayacross the field like a wild thing, neighing loudly with every bound, and from the roadway came the answering neigh for which he had waited solong, and Pepper came plodding along, striving his best to hasten towardthe call he knew and loved. But Pepper had not been full-fed with oats, corn and bran-mashes, doctored by a skilled hand, or groomed by JimJarvis, as Salt had been for nearly four blissful weeks, and an emptystomach is a poor spur. But he could come to the fence and rub noseswith Salt, and Peggy and Polly nearly fell into each other's arms withdelight. 

"Oh, doesn't it make you just want to cry to see them?" said Polly, halftearfully. 

"They shan't be separated again, " was Peggy's positive assertion. "Howdo you do, Mr. Bolivar? Why, Nelly, have you been ill?" for the girllooked almost too sick to sit up. 

"Yes, Miss Peggy, that's why Dad couldn't come sooner. He had to takecare of me. He has fretted terribly over it too, because--"

"Now, now! Tut, tut, honey. Never mind, Miss Peggy don't want to hearnothin' 'bout--"

"Yes she does, too, and Nelly will tell us, She is coming right up tothe house with us--this is my friend Miss Polly Howland, Nelly--NellyBolivar, Polly--and while you go find Shelby, Mr. Bolivar, and tell himI say to take--oh, here you are, Shelby. This is Mr. Bolivar. Pleasetake him up to your cottage and take GOOD care of him, and give Pepperthe very best feed he ever had. Then turn him out in the pasture withSalt. "We will be back again in an hour to talk horse just as fast as wecan, and DON'T FORGET WHAT I TOLD YOU ABOUT PEPPER'S POINTS. "

"I won't, Miss Peggy, but I ain't got to open more'n HALF an eye nohow. "

Peggy laughed, then slipping her arm through Nelly's, said:

"Come up to the house with us. Mammy will know what you need to make youfeel stronger, and you are going to be Polly's and my girl thisafternoon. "

Quick to understand, Polly slipped to Nelly's other side, and the twostrong, robust girls, upon whom fortune and Nature had smiled so kindly, led their less fortunate little sister to the great house. 

CHAPTER XII

THE SPICE OF PEPPER AND SALT

About an hour later the girls were back at the paddock, Nelly's facealight with joy, for it had not taken good old Mammy long to see thatthe chief cause of Nelly's lack of strength was lack of propernourishment, and her skilled old hands were soon busy with sherry andraw eggs as a preliminary, to be followed by one of Aunt Cynthia'sdainty little luncheons; a luncheon composed of what Mammy hinted "mus'be somethin' wha' gwine fer ter stick ter dat po' chile's ribs, 'caseshe jist nachelly half-starved. "

Consequently, the half-hour spent in partaking of it did more to put newlife in little Nelly Bolivar than many days had done before, and therewas physical strength and mental spirit also to sustain her. 

The old carryall still stood near the training track and saying:

"Now you sit in there and rest while Polly and I do stunts for youramusement, " Peggy helped Nelly into the seat. 

"I feel just like a real company lady, " said Nelly happily, as shesettled herself to watch the girls whom she admired with all the ardorof her starved little soul. 

"You ARE a real company lady, " answered Peggy and Polly, "and we aregoing to entertain you with a sure-enough circus. All you've got to dois to applaud vigorously no matter how poor the show. Come on, Polly, "and springing upon their horses, which had mean-time been patientlywaiting in the care of Bud, off they raced around the track, Nellywatching with fascinated gaze. 

Meanwhile Pepper and Salt had been rejoicing in their reunion, Salt fullof spirit and pranks as the result of his good care, and poor Pepper, for once full-fed, wonderfully "chirkered" up in consequence, though insharp contrast to his mate. 

As Peggy and Polly cavorted around the track, racing, jumping andcutting all manner of pranks, Salt's attention to his mate seemed to bediverted. The antics of Star and Shashai, unhampered, happy and free aswild things, seemed to excite him past control. Again and again he ransnorting toward the paling, turning to whinny an invitation to Pepper, but, even with his poor, half-starved stomach for once well-filled, Pepper could not enthuse as his mate did; ONE square meal a year cannotcompensate for so many others missed, and bring about miracles. 

Around and around the track swept the girls, taking hurdles, and cuttinga dozen antics. At length Peggy, who had been watching Salt, stopped, and saying to Polly:

"I'm going to try an experiment, " she slipped from Shashai's back. Goingto the fence she vaulted the four-foot barrier as easily as Shashaiwould have skimmed over six. Salt came to her at once, but Pepperhesitated. It was only momentary, for soon both heads were nestlingconfidingly to her. She was never without her little bag of sugar and alump or two were eagerly accepted. Then going to Salt's side she croonedinto his ear some of her mysterious "nightmare talk, " as Shelby calledit. It was a curious power the girl exercised over animals--almosthypnotic. Salt nozzled and fussed over her. Then saying:

"Steady, boy. Steady. " She gave one of her sudden springs and landedastride his back, saddleless and halterless. He gave a startled snortand tore away around the paddock. Polly was now used to any newdeparture, but Nelly gave a little shriek and clasped her hands. "She isall right, don't be frightened, " smiled Polly. "She can do anything witha horse; I sometimes think she must have been a horse herself once upona time. " Nelly looked puzzled, but Polly laughed. Meanwhile Peggy wastalking to her unusual mount. He seemed a trifle bewildered, butpresently struck into a long, sweeping run--the perfect stride of theracer. Peggy gave a quick little nod of understanding as she felt thelong, gliding motion she knew so well. As she came around to her friendsshe reached forward and laying hold of a strand of the silvery mane, said softly: "Who--ooa. Steady. " What was it in the girl's voice whichcommanded obedience? Salt stopped close to his mate and began to rubnoses with him as though confiding a secret. 

"Bud, " commanded Peggy, "go to the stable and fetch me a snafflebridle. " The bridle was brought and carefully adjusted. 

"Come, Salt, NOW we will put it to the test; those flank muscles meansomething unless I'm mistaken. "

During all this Shelby and Bolivar had come up to the paddock and stoodwatching the girl. 

"Ain't she jist one fair clipper?" asked Shelby, proudly. "Lord, butthat girl's worth about a dozen of your ornery kind. She's athoroughbred all through, she is. "

"Well, I ain't never seen nothin' like that, fer a fact, I ain't. Iknowed them was good horses, but, well, I didn't know they was SADDLEhorses. "

"They've more'n SADDLE horses, man, an' I'm bettin' a month's wages youreyes'll fair pop out inside five minutes. I know HER ways. I larned 'emto her, some on 'em, at least--but most was born in her. They HAS terbe. There's some things can't be L'ARNT, man. "

Once more Peggy started, this time her mount showing greater confidencein her. At first they loped lightly around the paddock, poor old Pepperalternately following, then stopping to look at his mate, apparentlytrying to reason it all out. Gradually the pace increased until oncemore Salt swept along in the stride which from time immemorial hasdistinguished racing blood. The fifth time around the broad field, Peggyturned him suddenly and making straight for the paling, cried in aringing voice:

"On! On! Up--Over!"

The horse quivered, his muscles grew tense, then there was a gatheringtogether of the best in him and the fence was taken as only runningblood takes an obstacle. 

Then HER surprise came:

Pepper meantime seemed to have lost his wits. As Salt neared the fence, the mate who for years had plodded beside him began to tear around andaround the field, snorting, whinnying and giving way to the wildestexcitement. As Salt skimmed over the fence Pepper's decorum fled, andwith a loud neigh he tore after him, made a wild leap and cleared thebarrier by a foot, then startled and shaken from his unwonted exertion, he stood with legs wide apart, trembling and quivering. 

In an instant Peggy had wheeled her mount and was beside the poorfrightened creature; frightened because his blood had asserted itselfand he had literally outdone himself. Slipping from Salt's back shetossed her bridle to Shelby who had hurried toward her, and takingPepper's head in her arms petted and caressed him as she would havepetted and caressed a child which had made a superhuman effort toperform some seemingly impossible act. 

"Nelly, Nelly, come here. Come. He will know your voice so much betterthan mine, " she called, and Nelly scrambled out of the wagon as quicklyas possible, crying:

"Why, Miss Stewart, HOW did you do it. Why we never knew they were sowonderful. Oh, Dad, did you know they could jump and run like that?"

"I knew they come o' stock that HAD run, an' jumped like that, but Ididn't know all that ginger was in 'em. No I did NOT. It took MissStewart fer ter find THAT out, an' she sure has found it. Why, Pepper, old hoss, " he added, stroking the horse's neck, "you've sartin' doneyo'self proud this day. "

Pepper nozzled and nickered over him, evidently trying to tell him thatthe act had been partly inspired by the call of the blood, and partly byhis love for his mate. Perhaps Bolivar did not interpret it just thatway, but PEGGY DID. 

"Mr. Bolivar, I know Nelly loves Pepper and Salt, but I'd like to makeyou an offer for those horses just the same. I knew when I first sawthem that they had splendid possibilities and only needed half a chance. You need two strong, able work-horses for your farm--these horses areboth too high-bred for such work, that you know as well as I do--so Ipropose that we make a sensible bargain right now. We have a span ofbays; good, stout fellows six years old, which we have used on theestate. They shall be yours for this pair with one hundred and twenty-five dollars to boot. Salt and Pepper are worth six hundred dollarsright now, and in a little while, and under proper care and training, will be worth a good deal more. Shelby will bear me out in that, won'tyou?"

"I'd be a plumb fool if I didn't, miss, " was Shelby's reply, and Peggynodded and resumed: "I have paid seventy-five dollars for Salt, addingto that the one-twenty-five and the span, which I value at four hundred, would make it a square deal, don't you think so?"

Bolivar looked at the girl as though he thought she had taken leave ofher wits. "One hundred and twenty-five dollars, and a span worth fourhundred for a pair of horses which a month before he would have found ithard to sell for seventy-five each?--well, Miss Stewart must certainlybe crazy. " Peggy laughed at his bewilderment. 

"I'm perfectly serious, Mr. Bolivar, " she said. 

"Yas'm, yas'm, but, my Lord, miss, I ain't seen THAT much money in twoyear, and your horses--I ain't seen 'em, and I don't want ter; if YOUsay they're worth it that goes, but--but--well, well, things has beensort o' tough--sort o' tough, " and poor, tired, discouraged Jim Bolivarleaned upon the fence and wept from sheer bodily weakness and nervousexhaustion. 

Nelly ran to his side to clasp her arms about him and cry:

"Dad! Dad! Poor Dad. Don't! Don't! It's all right, Dad. We won't worryabout things. God has taken care of us so far and He isn't going tostop. "

"That ain't it, honey. That ain't it, " said poor Bolivar, slipping atrembling arm about her. "It's--it's--oh, I can't jist rightly say what'tis. "

"Wall by all that's great, _I_ know, then, " exclaimed Shelby, clappinghim on the shoulder. "_I_ know, 'cause I've BEEN there: It's bein' jistdown, out an' discouraged with everythin' and not a blame soul fer tergive a man a boost when he needs it. I lived all through that kind o'thing afore I came ter Severndale, an' 'taint a picter I like fer terdwell upon. No it ain't, an' we're goin' ter bust yours ter smithereensright now. You don't want fer ter look at it no longer. "

"No I don't, I don't fer a fact, " answered Bolivar, striving manfully topull himself together and dashing from his eyes the tears which he felthad disgraced him. 

Peggy drew near. Her eyes were soft and tender as a doe's, and thepretty lips quivered as she said:

"Mr. Bolivar, please don't try to go home tonight. Shelby can put youup, and Nelly shall stay with me. You are tired and worn out and thechange will do you good. Then you can see the horses and talk it allover with Shelby, and by tomorrow things will look a lot brighter. AndNelly and I will have a little talk together too. "

"I can't thank ye, miss. No, I can't. There ain't no words big nor grandenough fer ter do that. I ain't never seen nothin' like it, an' yo'vemade a kind o' heaven fer Nelly. Yes, go 'long with Miss Peggy, honey. Ye ain't never been so looked after since yo' ma went on ter KingdomCome. " He kissed the delicate little face and turning to Shelby, said:

"Now come on an' I'll quit actin' like a fool. "

"There's other kinds o' fools in this world, " was Shelby's crypticreply. "Jim, " he called, "look after them horses, " indicating Pepper andSalt, and once more united, the two were led away to the big stablewhere their future was destined to bring fame to Severndale. 

Bolivar went with Shelby to his quarters, and their interest in ridinghaving given way to the greater one in Nelly, the girls told Bud to taketheir horses back to the stable. From that moment, Nelly Bolivar's lifewas transformed. The following day she and her father went back to thelittle farm behind the well conditioned span from Severndale, and a goodsupply of provisions for all, for Shelby had insisted upon giving themwhat he called, "a good send off" on his own account, and enough oatsand corn went with Tom and Jerry, as the new horses were named, to keepthem well provisioned for many a day. 

"Jist give 'em half a show an' they'll earn their keep, " advised Shelby. "I'll stop over before long and lend a hand gettin' things ship-shape. Iknow they're boun' ter get out o' kilter when yo' don't have anybody terhelp. One pair o' hands kin only do jist so much no matter how hard theywork. Good luck. "

From that hour Nelly was Peggy's protege. The little motherless girlliving so close to Severndale, her home, her circumstances in suchcontrast to her own, wakened in Peggy an understanding of what layalmost at her door, and so many trips were made to the little farm-housethat spring that Shashai and Tzaritza often started in that direction oftheir own accord when Peggy set forth upon one of her outings. 

And meanwhile, over in the hospital, Dunmore was growing weaker andweaker as the advancing springtide was bringing to Nelly Bolivar renewedhealth and strength, so strangely are things ordered in this world, andwith Easter the brave spirit took its flight, leaving many to mourn thelad whom all had so loved. For some time the shadow of his passing layupon the Academy, then spring athletics absorbed every one's interestand Ralph made the crew, to Polly's intense delight. In May he rowed onthe plebe crew against a high school crew and beat them "to astandstill. " Then came rehearsal for the show to be given by theMasqueraders, the midshipmen's dramatic association, and at thisoccurred something which would have been pronounced utterly impossiblehad the world's opinion been asked. The show was to be given the lastweek in May. 

Mr. Harold and Mr. Stewart would arrive a few days before, each on amonth's leave. As Happy was one of the moving spirits of the show, hewas up to his eyes in business. Clever in everything he undertook, hewas especially talented in music, playing well and composing in nomediocre manner. He had written practically all the score of the musicalcomedy to be given by the Masqueraders, and among other features, awhistling chorus. 

Now if there was one thing Polly could do it was whistle. Indeed, sheinsisted that it was her only accomplishment and many a happy littleimpromptu concert was given in Middies' Haven with Happy's guitar, Shortie's mandolin and Durand's violin. 

Of course, all the characters in the play were taken by the boys, manyof them making perfectly fascinating girls, but when the whistlingchorus was written by Happy, Polly was no small aid to him, and againand again this chorus was rehearsed in Middies' Haven, sometimes by afew of the number who would compose it, and again by the entire number;the star performer being a little chap from Ralph's class whose voicestill held its boyish treble and whose whistle was like a bird's notes. Naturally, Polly had learned the entire score, for one afternoon duringthe past autumn while the girls were riding through the beautifulwoodlands near Severndale, Polly had whistled an answer to a bob-white'scall. So perfect had been her mimicry that the bird had been completelydeceived and answering repeatedly, had walked almost up to Silver Star'sfeet. Peggy was enraptured, and then learned that Polly could mimic manybird calls, and whistle as sweetly as the birds themselves. Peggy hadlost no time in making this known to the boys, much to Polly'sembarrassment, but the outcome had been the delightful little concerts, and Happy had made the various bird notes the theme of his bird chorus. It was a wonderfully pretty thing and bound to make a big hit, so allagreed. Consequently, little Van Nostrand had been drilled until hedeclared he woke himself up in the night whistling, and so the days spedaway. Mr. Harold and Daddy Neil had arrived and the morning of theMasqueraders' show dawned. In less than twelve hours the bird choruswould be on the stage whistling Polly's bird notes. Then Wharton VanNostrand fell ill with tonsilitis and was packed off to the hospital!

Happy was desperate. Who under the sun would take his part? There wasnot another man whose voice was like Wharton's. Happy flew about like adistracted hen, at length rushing to Mrs. Harold and begging her to givehim just TEN minutes private interview. 

"Why, what under the sun do you want, Happy?" she asked, going into herown room and debarring all the others whose curiosity was at thesnapping point. When they emerged Happy's face was brimful of glee, butMrs. Harold warned:

"Mind the promise is only conditional: If Polly says 'yes' well andgood, but if you let the secret out you and I will be enemiesforevermore. "

CHAPTER XIII

THE MASQUERADERS' SHOW

It was the night of the Masqueraders' Show. The auditorium was packed, for Annapolis was thronged with the relatives of the graduating class aswell as hundreds of visitors. 

Among others were Polly Howland's mother, her married sister Constance, and her brother-in-law, Harry Hunter, now an ensign. They had beenmarried at Polly's home in Montgentian, N. J. , almost a year ago. HarryHunter had graduated from the Academy the year Happy and his class wereplebes, and had been the two-striper of the company of which Wheedleswas now the two-striper. His return to Annapolis with his lovely youngwife was the signal for all manner of festive doings, and it need hardlybe added that Mrs. Harold's party had a row of seats which commandedevery corner of the stage. Mr. Stewart and Peggy were of the party, ofcourse, and anything radiating more perfect happiness than Peggy's facethat night it would have been hard to find. Was not Daddy Neil besideher, and in her private opinion the finest looking officer present?Again and again as she sat next him she slipped her hand into his togive it a rapturous little squeeze. Nor was "Daddy Neil" lacking inappreciation of the favors of the gods. The young girl sitting at hisside, in spite of her modesty and utter lack of self-consciousness, wasquite charming enough to make any parent's heart thrill with pride. Withher exceptional tact, Mrs. Harold had won Harrison's favor, Harrisonpronouncing her: "A real, born lady, more like your own ma than any oneyou've met up with since you lost her; SHE was one perfect lady if oneever lived. "

It had been rather a delicate position for Mrs. Harold to assume, thatof unauthorized guardian and counsellor to this young girl who had comeinto her life by such an odd chance, but Mrs. Harold seemed to be bornto mother all the world, and subtly Harrison recognized the fact thatPeggy was growing beyond her care and guidance, and the thousand littleamenities of the social world in which she would so soon move and haveher being. For more than a year this knowledge had been a source ofdisquietude to the good soul who for eight years had guarded her littlecharge so faithfully, and she had often confided to Mammy Lucy:

"That child is getting clear beyond ME. She's growin' up that fast itfair takes my breath away, and she knows more right now in five minutesthan I ever knew in my whole life, though 'twouldn't never in this worlddo to let her suspicion it. "

Consequently, once having sized up Mrs. Harold, and fully decided as themonths rolled by that she "weren't no meddlesome busybody, a-trying torun things, " she was only too glad to ask her advice in many instances, and Peggy's toilet this evening was one of them. Poor old Harrison hadbegun to find the intricacies of a young girl's toilet a trifle toocomplex for her, and had gone to Mrs. Harold for advice. The manner inwhich it was given removed any lingering vestige of doubt remaining inHarrison's soul, and tonight Peggy was a vision of girlish loveliness ina soft pink crepe meteor made with a baby waist, the round neck frilledwith the softest lace, the little puffed sleeves edged with it, and a"Madam Butterfly" sash and bow of the crepe encircling her lithe waist. Her hair was drawn loosely back and tied a la pompadour with a bow ofpink satin ribbon, another gathering in the rich, soft abundance of itjust below the neck. 

By chance she sat between Mrs. Howland and her father, Mrs. Harold wasnext Mrs. Howland, with Mr. Harold, Constance and Snap just beyond, andPolly at the very end of the seat, though why she had slipped there Mrs. Howland could not understand. 

Peggy had instantly been attracted to Mrs. Howland and had fallen inlove with Constance as only a young girl can give way to her admirationfor another several years her senior. But there was nothing of thefoolish "crush" in her attitude: it was the wholesome admiration of anormal girl, and Constance was quick to feel it. Mrs. Howland wassmaller and daintier than Mrs. Harold, though in other ways there was astriking resemblance between these two sisters. Mrs. Harold, largely asthe result of having lived among people in the service, was prompt, decisive of action, and rather commanding in manner, though possessing amost tender, sympathetic heart. Mrs. Howland, whose whole life had beenspent in her home, with the exception of the trips taken with herhusband and children when they were young, for she had been a widow manyyears, had a rather retiring manner, gentle and lovable, and, as Peggythought, altogether adorable, for her manner with Polly was tendernessitself, and Polly's love for her mother was constantly manifested in athousand little affectionate acts. She had a little trick of running upto her and half crying, half crooning:

"Let me play cooney-kitten and get close, " and then nestling her sunnyhead into her mother's neck, where the darker head invariably snuggleddown against it and a caressing hand stroked the spun gold as a gentlevoice said:

"Mother's sun-child. The little daughter who helps fill her world withlight. " Polly loved to hear those words and Peggy thought how dear itmust be to have some claim to such a tender love and know that one meantso much to the joy and happiness of another. 

Mrs. Harold had written a great deal of Peggy's history to this sister, so Mrs. Howland felt by no means a stranger to the young girl besideher, and her heart was full of sympathy when she thought of her lonelylife in spite of all this world had given her of worldly goods. 

Meantime the little opera opened with a dashing chorus, a balletcomposed, apparently, of about fifty fetching young girls, gowned in themost up-to-date costumes, wearing large picture hats which were the envyof many a real feminine heart in the audience, and carrying greenparsols with long sticks and fascinating tassles. Oh, the costumer knewhis business and those dainty high-heeled French slippers seemed atleast five sizes smaller than they really were as they tripped solightly through the mazes of the ballet. But alack! the illusion wasjust a TRIFLE dispelled when the ballet-girls broke into a rollickingchorus, for some of those voices boomed across the auditorium with anundoubtable masculine power. 

Nevertheless, the ballet was encored until the poor dancers were moppingrouge-tinged perspiration from their faces. One scene followed anotherin rapid order, all going off without a hitch until the curtain fellupon the first act, and during the interval and general bustle of friendgreeting friend Polly and Mrs. Harold disappeared. At first, Mrs. Howland was not aware of their absence, then becoming alive to it sheasked:

"Connie, dear, what has become of Aunt Janet and Polly?"

"I am sure I don't know, mother. They were here only a moment ago, "answered Constance. 

"I saw them go off with Happy, beating it for all they were worth towardthe wings, Carissima, " answered Snap, using for Mrs. Howland the name hehad given her when he first met her, for this splendid big son-in-lawloved her as though she were his own mother, and that love was returnedin full. 

"Peggy, dear, can you enlighten us?" asked Mrs. Howland looking at thegirl beside her, for her lips were twitching and her eyes a-twinkle. 

Peggy laughed outright, then cried contritely:

"Oh, I beg your pardon, Mrs. Howland, I did not mean to be rude, but itis a secret, and such a funny one, too; I'd tell if I dared but I'vepromised not to breathe it. "

"Run out an extra cable then, daughter, " laughed Commander Stewart. 

"I think this one will hold, " was Mrs. Howland's prompt answer, with alittle pat upon Peggy's soft arm. "She's a staunch little craft, Ifancy. I won't ask a single question if I must not. " A moment later thelights were lowered and the curtains were rung back. The scene drewinstant applause. It was a pretty woodland with a stream flowing in thebackground. Grouped upon the stage in picturesque attitudes were aboutforty figures costumed to represent various birds, and in their midstwas a charming little maiden, evidently the only human being in thisbird-world, and presently it was disclosed to the audience that she washeld as a hostage to these bird-beings, until the prince of theirenchanted world should be released from bondage in the land of humanbeings and restored to them. 

"Why who in this world can that little chap be?"

"I didn't know there was such a tiny midshipman in the whole brigade. "

"Doesn't he make a perfectly darling girl, though?"

"Perfectly lovable, hugable and adorable, " were the laughing comments. 

In the dim light Peggy buried her head in Daddy Neil's lap, trying tosmother her laughter. 

"You--you little conspirator, " he whispered. "I believe I've caught on. "

"Oh, don't whisper it. Don't!" instantly begged Peggy. "Polly wouldnever forgive me for letting out the secret. "

"You haven't. I just did a little Yankee guessing, and I reckon I'm notfar from the mark. "

"Hush, and listen. Isn't it pretty?"

It was, indeed, pretty. The captive princess, captured because she hadlearned the secret of the bird language, began a little plaintivewhistling call, soft, sweet, musical as a flute; the perfect notes ofthe hermit thrush. This was evidently the theme to be elaborated uponand the chorus took it up, led so easily, so harmoniously and sofaultlessly by the dainty little figure with its bird-like notes. Fromthe hermit-thrush's note to the liquid call of the wood-thrush, thewood-peewee, the cardinal's cheery song, the whip-poor-will's insistentquestioning, on through the gamut of cat-birds, warblers, bob-whites anda dozen others, ran the pretty chorus, with its variations, the littleprincess' and her jailor birds' dancing and whistling completing theclever theme. When it ended the house went mad clapping, calling, shouting: "Encore! Encore!"

And before it could be satisfied the obliging actors had given theirchorus and ballet five times, and the whistlers' throats were dry aspowder. As they left the stage for the last time the little princessflung HERself into Mrs. Harold's arms, gasping. 

"I know my whistle is smashed, destroyed, and mined beyond repair, AuntJanet, but oh, wasn't it perfectly splendid to do it for the boys andhear that house applaud them. "

"Them?" cried a feathered creature coming up to give Polly a clap uponthe back as he would have given a classmate. "Them! And where themischief do YOU come in on this show-down? There listen to that. Do youknow what it means? It means come out there in front of that curtain andget what's coming to you. Come on. "

"Oh, I can't! I can't! They'd recognize me and I wouldn't have them forworlds. Not for worlds! It would be perfectly awful, " and Polly shrankback abashed. 

"Recognized! Awful nothing! You've got to come out. It's part of theperformance, " and hand in hand with Happy and Wheedles the abashedlittle princess was led before the foot-lights to receive an ovation andenough American beauty roses to hide her in a good-sized bower. As shestarted back she let fall some of her posies. Instantly, Wheedles wasupon his knees, his hand pressed to his heart, and his eyes dancing withfun, as he handed her the roses. Shouts and renewed applause went upfrom the auditorium. 

"I KNOW that is a girl. I am positive of it. But WHO can she be?" wasthe comment of one of the ladies behind Mrs. Howland. 

"Well I have an idea _I_ might tell her name if I chose, " said Mrs. Howland under her breath to Peggy. 

"Didn't she do it beautifully?" whispered Peggy, squeezing Mrs. Howland's hand in a rapture. "But please don't tell. Please don't. "

Mrs. Howland smiled down upon the eager face upraised to hers. "Do youthink I am likely to?" she asked. 

Peggy nodded her head in negative, but before she could say more Pollyand another girl came walking down the aisle. Even Peggy looked insurprise at the newcomer, then she gave a little gasp. The girl was muchtaller than Polly, and rather broad shouldered for a girl, but strangeto relate, looked enough like Peggy to be her twin. Mr. Stewart gave astartled exclamation and seemed about to rise from his seat. Peggy laida detaining hand upon his and whispered: "Don't. " Her father looked ather as though he did not know whether his wits or hers were departing. The play was again in progress so Polly and her companion took theirseats next Mrs. Harold who had returned some minutes before. Polly wasdoing her best to control her laughter, but the girl with her was thevery personification of decorum. 

"In heaven's name who IS that girl?" Peggy's father asked in a lowvoice. 

"He's--he's--" and Peggy broke down. 

"What?"

"Yes--I'll tell you later, but isn't it too funny for words?"

"Why child she--he-ahem--that PERSON is enough like you to be yoursister. Who--" and poor puzzled Neil Stewart was too bewildered tocomplete his sentence or follow the play. 

"Yes; I've known that from the first and it is perfectly absurd, "answered Peggy, "but I never realized HOW like me until this minute. Buthe will catch the very mischief if he is found out. But WHERE did he getthose clothes? They aren't a part of the costumes so far as I know. "

But there is just where Peggy's calculations fell down, for the daintylingerie gown, with its exquisite Charlotte Corday hat had been added tothe costumes to substitute others which had been ordered but could notbe supplied. Consequently Peggy had not happened to see it. 

And the handsome girl? Well she certainly WAS a beauty with her darkhair, perfect eyebrows, flashing dark eyes and faultless teeth. Her skinwas dark but the cheeks were mantled with a wonderful color. As the playwas still in progress, she could not, of course, enter into conversationwith Polly's friends, but her smile was fascinating to a rare degree. 

At length the second act ended, and Neil Stewart could stand it nolonger. 

"Peggy, introduce me to that girl right off. Why---why, she might beyou, " and Peggy's father fairly mopped his brow in perturbation. 

Peggy beckoned to the new arrival who managed to slip around the aisleand come to her end of the seat. If she minced with a rather affectedstep it was not commented upon. Most people were too fascinated by herbeauty to criticise her walk. The look which the two exchanged puzzledMr. Stewart more than ever. Peggy's lips were quivering as she said:

"Miss--er, Miss Leroux, I want you to know Mrs. Howland and my father. "

"So delighted to, " replied "Miss" Leroux, but at the words Mrs. Rowlandgave a little gasp and Mr. Stewart who had risen to meet Peggy's friend, started as though some one had struck him, for the voice, even withDurand's best attempts to disguise it to a feminine pitch, held aquality which no girl's voice ever held. 

"Well I'll be--I'll be--why you unqualified scamp, who ARE you, and whatdo you mean by looking so exactly like my girl here that I don't knowwhether I've one daughter or two?" Then Durand fled, laughing as onlyDurand could--with eyes, lips and an indescribable expression which madeboth the laugh and himself absolutely irresistible. 

The following week sped away and before any one quite knew where it hadgone the great June ball was a thing of the past and the morning hadcome which would mean the dividing of the ways for many. 

Happy, Wheedles, and Shortie had graduated and would have a month'sleave. Durand was now a second-classman, Ralph a youngster, and about tostart upon the summer practice cruise. 

The ships were to run down to Hampton Roads and then up to New London, where Mrs. Harold and all her party were to meet them, she and Mrs. Howland having taken rooms at the Griswold for the period the shipswould be at New London. 

They had asked Peggy to go with them and when "Daddy Neil" arrived hewas included in the invitation. 

But Daddy Neil had a plan or two of his own, and these plans he was notlong in turning over with Mr. Harold to the satisfaction of allconcerned, and they all decided that they "beat the first ones out ofsight. "

As Daddy Neil was a man of prompt action he was not long in carryingthem into effect, and they were nothing more nor less than a big houseparty in New London rather than the hotel life which had been planned. So telegraph wires were kept busy, and in no time one of the Griswoldcottages was at the disposal of the entire party. 

CHAPTER XIV

OFF FOR NEW LONDON

"Now I'm going to run THIS show, Harold, and you may just as well pipedown, " rumbled Neil Stewart in his deep, wholesome voice. "Besides, I'myour ranking officer and here's where I prove it, " he added, forcing Mr. Harold into his pet Morris chair and towering above him, his geniallaugh filling the room. 

It was the Sunday afternoon following graduation. Many, indeed thegreater portion of the graduates, had left for their homes, or to payvisits to friends before joining their ships at the end of their month'sleave, though some still lingered, their plans as yet unformed. 

Wilmot Hall was practically deserted, for the scattering which takesplace after graduation is hard to understand unless one is upon thescene to witness it. 

Mr. And Mrs. Harold, with Mr. Stewart, Peggy, Mrs. Howland, Constance, Snap, Polly, Shortie, Wheedles and Happy were gathered in Middies'Haven, and Neil Stewart had the floor. Since his return to Severndale hehad spent more than half the time at Wilmot where his lodestar, Peggy, was staying with those she had grown to love so dearly, and where shewas so entirely happy. Mr. Stewart had taken a room for June week inorder to be near her, feeling reluctant to take her away from thefriends who had done so much for her; more, a vast deal, he felt, thanhe could ever repay. It did not take him long to see the change whichnine months had made in this little girl of his. 

Always lovable and exceptionally capable, there was now the added charmwhich association with a girl of her own age had developed inspontaneity, and her attitude toward Mrs. Harold--the pretty littleaffectionate demonstrations so unconsciously made--revealed to herfather what Peggy had lacked for nearly nine years, and he began towaken to the fact to which Mrs. Harold had been alive for some time:that without meaning to be selfish in his sorrow for Peggy's mother, hehad been wholly self-absorbed, leaving Peggy to live her life in alittle world of her own creation. 

During the past two weeks HE had been put through a pretty severescrutiny by Mrs. Harold, and in spite of her prejudices she began to seehow circumstances had conspired to evolve the unusual order of thingsfor both father and daughter, and her heart softened toward the big manwho, while so complete a master of every situation on board his ownship, was so helpless to cope with this domestic problem. Nor could shesee her way clear to remedy it further than she had already done. Itseemed to be one of life's handicaps. But we can not understand the"why" of all things in this world, and must leave a great deal of it tothe Father of all. Just now it seemed as though Neil Stewart was theinstrument of that ordering. 

Mr. Harold looked up at him and joined in the laugh. 

"Maybe you think I'm going to give these fellows a demonstration ofinsubordination the very first clip. Not on your life. Fire away. Youhave the deck. "

"Well, I've got my cottage up there in New London--a good one too, if Ican judge by all the hot air that has escaped concerning it. Jerome andMammy are packed off to open it up and make it habitable against ourarrival, and everything's all skee and shipshape so far as THAT part ofthe plan is blocked out. The ship's in commission but now comes thequestion of her personnel. You, Harold, and your wife have been goodenough to act as second and third in command but we must have juniorofficers. Thus far the detail foots up only five; just a trifle shy onnumbers, and I want it to number, let me see, at least eleven, " and henodded toward the others seated about the room. Some looked at him indoubt. Then Happy said:

"But, Mr. Stewart. I'm afraid I've got to beat it for home, sir. "

"Where is home?"

"Up the Hudson, sir. "

"That's all right. And yours?" indicating Shortie. 

"Vermont, sir. "

"And yours?"

"Near Philadelphia, sir, " said Wheedles. 

"All within twelve hours of New London, aren't they?"

"Yes sir. "

"Very well; that settles it. You give us ten days at least, and we'll dothe Regatta at New London and any other old thing worth doing. Will youwire your people that you're going with us? 'Orders from your superiorofficer. ' Who knows but you may all hit my ship and in that case you mayas well fall in at once. "

"Well you better believe there'll be no kick--I beg your pardon sir--Imean, I'll be delighted, " stammered Happy. 

"That Western Union wire is going to fuse, sir, " was Wheedles'characteristic response. 

"I said last time I was up at New London that I'd be singed and sizzledif I ever went again, sir, and that just goes to show 'what fools wemortals be', " was Shortie's quizzical answer. 

"Orders received and promptly obeyed. So far so good, " was the heartyresponse. "Now to the next. Mrs. Howland, what about you and your plans!We've got this little girl in tow all tight and fast, but you haven'tput out a signal. "

"It all sounds most enticing, but do you know I have another girl tothink about? She is up at Smith College and will graduate in one week. Imust be there for THAT if I never do another thing. It is an event inher life and mine. "

"Hum; yes; I see; of course. We've got to get around that, haven't we?And I dare say YOU two think you've got to be on deck also, " he added, nodding at Constance and Snap, who in return nodded their reply in avery positive manner. 

"Are you going to jump ship too, little captain?" he asked, turningsuddenly to Polly. 

"Oh please don't. We need you so much, " pleaded Peggy. 

"I'd like to see Gail graduate, but oh, I do want to go to New Londonjust dreadfully, " cried Polly. 

"You would better go, dear, " said Mrs. Howland, deciding the questionfor her. "You would have but three days at Northampton and they wouldhardly mean as much to you as the same number at New London. Constance, Snap and I will go up, and then perhaps we will come on to New London. Imust first learn Gail's plans. "

"You will ALL come up. Every last one of you, Gail too; and if Gailbears even a passing resemblance to the rest of her family she isn'tgoing to disgrace it. "

"She's perfectly lovely, Mr. Stewart, " was Polly's emphatic praise ofher pretty, twenty-year-old sister. 

"Your word goes, captain, " answered Mr. Stewart, crossing the room towhere the girls sat upon the couch. "Gangway, please, " he said, motioning them apart and seating himself between them. "My, but theseare pretty snug quarters, " he added, placing an arm around each anddrawing them close to him. Peggy promptly nestled her head upon hisshoulder. 

"My other shoulder feels lonesome, " said Mr. Stewart, smiling intoPolly's face. The next second the bronze head was cuddled down also. "That's pretty nice. Best game of rouge et noir ever invented, " noddedNeil Stewart, a happy smile upon his strong face. "Now to proceed: Thereare, thus far, eleven of us. When we capture Gail we shall have twelve. A round dozen. Good! Now how to get up there is the next question. I'vehit it! Let's make an auto trip of it. ''

"An auto trip, " chorused the others. 

"Sure thing! Why not? Look here, people, this is my holiday. Such aholiday as I haven't had in years, and at the end of it is somethingelse for me. Harold knows, but he's been too wise to give it away. Ididn't know it myself until I came through Washington, but--well--it'spretty good news. I didn't mean to blurt it out, but this is sort of afamily conclave and I needn't ask you all to keep it in the family; butup there in the Boston Navy Yard is an old fighting machine of which Iam to be captain when I get back in harness--"

"What! Oh, Daddy! Daddy! How splendid!" cried Peggy. "Oh, I've just gotto hug you hard, '' and she smothered him in a regular bear hug. 

"That's better than the promotion, " he said, his eyes shining, and histhoughts harking back to another impulsive young girl who had claspedher arms about him when he received his commission as lieutenant. Howlike her Peggy was growing. It would have meant a good deal to her couldshe have lived to see him attain his captaincy. He always recalled heras a young girl. It was almost impossible for him to realize that wereshe now alive she would be Mrs. Harold's age, though she wasconsiderably younger than himself when they had married. 

And so it was settled. Neil Stewart was to engage a couple of largetouring cars for a month and in these the party was to make the trip toNew London. A man of prompt action, he lost no time in putting his planinto effect, and the following Wednesday a merry party set out fromWilmot Hall. Each car carried six comfortably in addition to thechauffeur. 

Each was provided with everything necessary for the long trip which theycalculated would take about three days, and the pairing off was arrangedto every one's satisfaction, an arrangement known to have exceptions. Mr. And Mrs. Harold, Happy, Shortie and Polly and Peggy were in one car, Mr. Stewart, Mrs. Howland, Snap, Constance and Wheedles in the other, the extra seat, Mr. Stewart said was to be held in reserve for Gail whenMrs. Howland should bring her to New London. 

None of the party ever forgot that auto ride through Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Connecticut. The weather wasideal, and for the men just ashore after months of sea-duty, and themidshipmen, just emancipated from four years of the strictest disciplineand a most limited horizon, it was a most wonderful world of greenthings, and an endless panorama of beauty. 

One night was spent in Philadelphia where all stopped at the Aldine andwent to see "The Balkan Princess. " Another night in New York at theAstor with "Excuse Me" to throw every one into hysterics of laughter. 

And what a revelation it all was to Peggy. What a new world she hadentered. 

"I didn't know there could be anything like it, " she confided to Polly, "and oh, isn't it splendid. But HOW I wish I could just share it witheverybody. "

"It seems to me you are sharing it with a good many bodies, PeggyStewart. What do you call ten people besides yourself?"

"Oh, I mean people who never have or see anything like it. Like Nelly, for instance, and--and--oh just dozens of people who seem to go alltheir lives and never have any of the things which so many other peoplehave. I wonder why it IS so, Polly? It doesn't seem just right, doesit?"

"I wonder if you know how many people you make happy in the course of ayear, Peggy Stewart. I don't believe you have the least idea, but it's apity a few of them couldn't lift up their voices and make it known. "

"Well, I'm right thankful they can't. It would be awful. "

It was a glorious June afternoon when the two big touring cars sweptunder the porte-cochere of the Griswold Hotel at New London, andattendants hurried out to assist the new arrivals from them. Mr. Stewartwaved them aside and saying to his guests:

"Wait here until I find out where that shack of ours is located and thenwe'll go right over to it and get fixed tip as soon as possible, " hedisappeared into the hotel to return a moment later with a clerk. 

"This man will direct us, " and presently the cars were rolling downtoward the shore road. In five minutes they had stopped before a largebungalow situated far out on one of the rocky points commanding theentire sweep of the bay, and before them riding at anchor was thepractice squadron, the good old flagship Olympia, on which CommodoreDewey had fought the battle of Manila Bay, standing bravely out fromamong her sister ships the Chicago, the Tonopah and the old frigateHartford anchored along the roadstead. 

"Oh, Peggy! Peggy! See them! See them! Don't you love them, every inchof them, from the fighting top to the very anchor chains? I do. "

"I ought to, " assented Peggy, "for Dad! loves his ship next to me Ibelieve. "

"How could he help it?"

They were now hurrying into the cottage where Jerome and Mammy werewaiting to welcome them. A couple of servants had been sent over fromthe Griswold to complete the menage with Mammy and Jerome ascommanders-in-chief. 

It was a pretty cottage with a broad veranda running around three sidesof it and built far out over the water on the front; an ideal spot for amonth's outing. 

Launches were darting to and from the ships with liberty parties, oftenwith two or three cutters in tow filled with laughing, skylarkingmidshipmen. On the opposite shore where the old Pequoit House had oncestood, was another landing at which many of the ships' boats, or shoreboats, were also making landings with parties which had been out tovisit the ships. The ships wore a festive air with awnings stretchedabove their quarter-decks and altogether it was an enchanting picture. 

Mammy welcomed her family with enthusiasm, and Jerome with the ceremonyhe never omitted, and in less time than seemed possible all were settledin their spacious, airy rooms. Mr. And Mrs. Harold had a room lookingout over the river, with the two girls next them, while Mrs. Howland, Mr. Stewart, Snap and Constance had rooms just beyond, the three boysbeing quartered on the floor above. 

"Oh, Peggy, isn't it the dearest place you ever saw?" cried Polly, running out on the balcony upon which their room gave. "And there's thedear old flat-iron, " the "flat-iron" being the name bestowed by the boysupon the monitor Tonopah because she set so low in the water and wasshaped not unlike one, her turrets sticking up like bumpy handles. 

"Look, Polly! Look! Some one is wigwagging on the bridge of the Olympia. Oh, Daddy Neil, Daddy Neil, come quickly and tell us what they aresaying, " she called into the next room. 

Neil Stewart hurried out to the balcony, slightly lowering his eyelidsas he would have done at sea, a little trick acquired by most men wholook across the water. 

"Why they are signalling US, " he exclaimed. "That's Boynton on thebridge, " mentioning an officer whom he knew, "and the chap signallingis--YOU--no, no I don't mean that, I mean it's the chap who ought to beyou, that Devon, Deroux, no--Leroux--isn't that his name? The fellow whorigged up in girl's clothes and fooled me to a frazzle. He's saying--what's that? Hold on--Yes! 'Welcome to New London' and--'Coming onboard. ' THAT means that a whole bunch will descend upon us tonight I'llbet all I'm worth. Well, let 'em come! Let 'em come! The more themerrier for there's nothing amiss with the commissary department. Here, Happy, Happy, come and answer that signal out yonder. I'm rusty, but youought to have it down pat. "

"Aye, aye, sir, " answered Happy, appearing at the window overhead and bysome miraculous means scrambling through it and letting himself drop tothe balcony where Mr. Stewart and the girls were standing. 

"Give me a towel, quick, Peggy. "

Peggy rushed for a towel and a moment later the funny wigwag wasanswering:

"Come along. Delighted. "

And that night the bungalow was filled to overflowing, for not only didthe boys come, but several officers who had known Mr. Stewart and Mr. Harold for years were eager to renew their acquaintance, and talk overold days. 

"And you've come just in time for the regatta. Going to be a big racethis year. The men are up at Gales ferry now and look fit to a finish. How are you planning to see it?" asked the captain of the Olympia. 

"Haven't planned a thing yet. Why we've only just struck our holdingground, man. "

"Good, I'm glad of it. That fixes it all right. You are all to be myguests that day--yes--no protests. Rockhill has gone to Europe and lefthis launch at my service and she's a jim-dandy, let me tell you. She's asixty-footer and goes through the water like a knife blade. You'll allcome with me and we'll see the show from a private box. "

"Can you carry ALL OF US?" asked Peggy incredulously. 

"Every last one, little girl, and a dozen more if you like. So fly tothe east and fly to the west and then invite the very one whom you lovebest, " answered Captain Boynton, pinching Peggy's velvety cheek. 

"Oh, there are so many we love best, " she laughed, "that we'd never dareask them all, would we, Polly?"

"Let's ask all who are here tonight, " was Polly's diplomatic answer, "then no one can feel hurt. "

"Hoopla!" rose from the other end of the porch where Durand, Ralph, andthree of the other boys from the ships were sitting around a big bambootable drinking lemonade. 

And so the party was then and there arranged for New London's big day. 

CHAPTER XV

REGATTA DAY

Peggy and Polly scrambled out of bed the morning of the Yale-Harvardcrew race, to find all the world sparkling and cool with a stiff breezefrom the Sound. It was a wonderful day and already the sight presentedin the bay was enough to thrill the dullest soul. During the five daysin which "Navy Bungalow, " as it had been promptly named by the youngpeople, had been occupied by the congenial party from Annapolis, oldfriendships had strengthened and new ones ripened, and a happiergathering of people beneath one roof it would have been hard to find. Perfect freedom was accorded every one, and the boys who had justgraduated soon found their places with the older officers, for thetransition, once the diploma is won, is a swift one. As passedmidshipmen and "sure enough" junior officers, they had an establishedposition impossible during their student days in the Academy. 

The boys on the practice cruise also felt a greater degree of liberty, and the fact that they were the proteges of Commander Harold and CaptainStewart gave them an entree everywhere. 

To Durand the experience was not a new one, for he had the faculty ofwinning an entree almost anywhere, but to Ralph and his roommate, JeanPaul Nicholas, as bright, merry a chap as ever looked frankly into one'sface with a pair of the clearest, snappiest blue eyes ever seen, theworld was an entirely new one and fairly overflowing with delightfulexperiences. Then, too, they were now youngsters instead of plebes, andthis fact alone would have been almost enough to fill their cups withjoy. The other boys who came from the ships had been second-classmenduring the past year, but were now in all the glory of first-classmen, and doing their best to make good during the cruise in order to carryoff some of the stripes waiting to be bestowed upon the efficient onesduring the coming October. 

In the two weeks spent with Mrs. Harold at Annapolis, Mrs. Howland hadlearned to love Peggy Stewart very dearly and Mrs. Harold said:

"Madeline, you have won more from Peggy Stewart than you realize. Shehas a rarely sweet character, though I am forced to admit that she seemsto have been navigating uncharted waters. I have never known a girl ofher age to live such an extraordinary life and why she is half aslovable, charming and possessed of so much character, is a problem Ihave been trying all winter to solve. But I rather dread the next fewyears for her unless some one both wise and affectionate takes thatlittle clipper ship's helm. She is entirely beyond Harrison and Mammynow, and her father hasn't even a passing acquaintance with his onlychild. He THINKS he has, and he loves her devotedly, but there's more toPeggy Stewart in one hour than Neil Stewart will discover in years atthe rate of two months out of twelve spent with her. I think the worldof the child, but Polly is MY girl, and has slipped into Constance'splace. I want you to let her stay with me, too. I have been so happythis winter, and she with me, but I wish there was someone to be inPeggy's home, or she could be sent to a good school for a year or two. Sometimes I think that would be the best arrangement in the long run. "

Meanwhile Peggy was entirely unaware of the manner in which her futurewas being discussed and she and Polly were looking forward to regattaday with the liveliest anticipation. 

As Peggy and Polly looked out over the bay and up the river that perfectmorning Peggy cried:

"Oh, Polly COULD anything be lovelier than this day? The sky is like ablue canopy, not a cloud to be seen, the air just sets one nearly crazy, and that blue, sparkling water makes me long to dive head-first intoit. "

"Well, why not?" asked Polly. "It is only half past six and loads oftime for a dip before breakfast. Let's get into our bathing suits, bangon the ceiling to wake up Happy, Shortie and Wheedles and make themstick their heads out of the window. "

It did not take five minutes to carry the suggestion into effect and agolf stick thumping "reveille" under Wheedles' bed effectually broughthim back from dreams of Annapolis. Rousing out the other two he stuck atousled head out of his window to be hailed by two bonny little figuresprancing excitedly upon the balcony beneath him. 

"Hello, great god Sumnus, " cried Polly, "Wake up! Oh, but you do looksleepy. Stir up the others. Peggy and I are going down for a dip beforebreakfast and to judge by your eyes they need the sand washed out ofthem. "

"Awh! Whow! Oh, " yawned Wheedles, striving vainly to keep his mouthclosed and to get his eyes opened. Just then two other heads appeared. 

"What's doing? House afire?" they asked. 

"No, it's the other element--water, " laughed Peggy. "Come and get intoit. That's what we are going to do. You may think those pink and blueJACKETS you're wearing are the prettiest things in the world--WE knowthey are part of your graduation "trousseau, " but bathing suits are inorder just now. So put them on and hurry down. "

"Bet your life, " was chorused as the three tousled heads vanished. 

The average midshipman's "shift" requires as a rule, about two minutes, and passed-middies are no exception. Before it seemed possible threebath-robed figures joined the girls, who had put their raincoats overtheir bathing suits, and all slipped down to the little beach in frontof the cottage and struck out for the float anchored about fifty feetoff shore. 

What a sight the bay and river presented that morning. Hundreds ofbeautiful yachts, foregathered from every part of the world, for NewLondon makes a wonderful showing Regatta week, and flying the flags ofinnumerable yacht clubs, were crowding the roadstead. A more inspiringsight it would be difficult to imagine. Just beyond the float, and lyingbetween the Olympia and Navy Bungalow, the pretty little naptha launchon which Captain Stewart's party were to be Captain Boynton's guests, rode lightly at anchor, her bright work reflecting the sunlight, herawning a-flutter, her signal pennant waving bravely. 

"I've GOT to play I'm a porpoise. I've simply GOT to. Come on, Wheedles, nothing else will work off my pent-up excitement, " cried Polly, divingoff the float to tumble and turn over and over in the water very likethe fish she named, for Polly's training with Captain Pennell during thewinter had made her almost as much at home in the water as on land andPeggy swam equally well. 

While the young people were splashing about Mrs. Harold and Mrs. Howlandcame out on the piazza to enjoy the sight. 

For half an hour the five splashed, dove, and gamboled as carefree asfive young seals, and with as much freedom, then all hurried into thebathhouses where Mammy and Jerome had already anticipated their needs byhurrying down with a supply of necessary wearing apparel; a triflingmatter quite overlooked by the bathers themselves. 

A gayer, heartier, more glowing group of young people than thosegathered at the breakfast table could not have been found in New Londonor anywhere else; certainly not at the Griswold where the majority ofthem were either satiated society girls whose winters had been spent ina mad social whirl, or the blase city youths who at nineteen had alreadyfound life "such a beastly bore. "

"Gad, " cried Neil Stewart, slapping Shortie's broad shoulders, "but it'srefreshing to find fellows of your age who can still show up such a glowin their cheeks, and such a light in their eyes, and an enthusiasm soinfectious that it sets a-tingle every drop of blood in an oldkerfoozalem like me. Hang fast to it like grim death, for you'll neverget it back if you once lose it. That old school down there turns outchaps who can get more out of the simple life than any bunch I know of. It may be the simple life in some respects, but it's got a confoundedlot of hard work in it all the same, and when you've finished thatyou're ready to take your fun, and you take it just as hard as you takeyour work, and I don't want to see a better bunch of men than thatsystem shows. I was over at the hotel last night, talking with four orfive chaps, younger than you fellows here, and I swear it made me sick:Bored to extinction doing nothing. I'd like to take 'em on board forjust about one month and if they didn't find something doing in a watchor two I'd know why. Keep right on having your fun, you and the girls--yes, GIRLS, not a lot of kids playing at being nerve-racked societywomen. "

"Hear! Hear!" cried Glenn Harold. "What's stirred you up, old man?"

"That bunch over yonder. Keep a little girl as long as you can Peggy, and you, Polly, hold your present course. Who ever charted it for youknew navigation all right. "

"I guess mother began it and then turned the job over to Aunt Janet, sir, " answered Polly. 

"Well, she knew her business all right. I'm mighty sorry she can't behere today to see the race, but when she comes back from Northamptonshe'll bring that other girl I'm so anxious to know too. By George, theRowland crowd puts up a good showing, and they seem to know how tochoose their messmates too, if I can judge by Hunter. "

"Isn't he the dearest brother a girl ever had?" asked Pollyenthusiastically, for her love for her brother-in-law was a subject ofpleasurable comment to all who knew her. 

"One of the best ever, as I hear on all sides, " was Captain Stewart'ssatisfactory answer. "But here comes Boynton. Ahoy! Olympia Ahoy!" heshouted, hurrying out upon the piazza as a launch from the Olympia cameboiling "four bells" toward Navy Bungalow's dock, the white clad Jackieslooking particularly festive and Captain Boynton of the Olympia withCommander Star of the Chicago sitting aft. They waved their caps gailyand shouted in return. 

"Glorious day! Great, isn't it?" as the launch ran alongside the dockand friends hurried down to meet friends. 

"We came over to see how early you could be ready. We must get up thecourse in good season this afternoon in order to secure a vantage point. Mrs. Boynton wants you all--yes--the whole bunch, to come over to theGriswold for an early luncheon. Mrs. Star will be with her and we'llshove off right afterward. Now NO protests, " as Captain Stewart seemedinclined to demur. 

"All right. Your word goes. "We'll report for duty. What's the hour?"

"Twelve sharp. There's going to be an all-fired jam in that hotel butMrs. B. Has a private dining-room ready for us and has bribed the headwaiter to a degree that has nearly proved my ruin. But never mind. Wecan't see the Yale-Harvard race every day, and a month hence we'll be upin Maine with all this fun behind us. "

That luncheon was a jolly one. Captain Boynton had a daughter a littleyounger than Peggy and Mr. Star a little girl of eight. 

Promptly at two the party went down to the Griswold dock, gay withexcitement and a holiday crowd embarking in every sort of craft, allbound for the course up the river. The naptha launch had been runalongside the long Griswold pier and it did not take long for CaptainBoynton's party to scramble aboard. Captain Boynton, Captain Stewart andthe girls went forward, some of the boys making for the bow where theoutlook was enough to stir older and far more staid souls than any theFrolic carried that day. 

They cast off, and soon were making their fussy way in and out among thehundreds of launches, yachts and craft of every known description. 

The crew of the Frolic was a picked one, the coxswain, an experiencedhand, as was certainly required THAT day. The pretty launch was dressedin all her bunting, and flying the flag of her club. 

Through the mass of festive shipping the launch worked her way, guidedby the steady hand of the man at her wheel, his gray eyes alert forevery move on port or starboard. 

Peggy and Polly were close beside him. Captain Stewart and CaptainBoynton stood a little behind watching the girls, whose eager eyes notedevery turn of the wheel. An odd light came into Captain Boynton's eyesas he watched them. Presently he asked Peggy:

"Do you think you could handle a launch, little girl?"

"Why--perhaps I could--a little, " answered Peggy modestly. 

"Why, Peggy Stewart, there isn't a girl in Annapolis who can handle alaunch or a sailboat as YOU do, " cried Polly, aroused to emphaticprotest. 

Peggy blushed, and laughingly replied: "Only Polly Howland, theAnnapolis Co-Ed. "

"Eh? What's that?" asked Captain Boynton. 

"Oh, Polly has had a regular course in seamanship, Captain Boynton, andknows just everything. "

"Any more than YOU do, miss?" demanded Polly. 

"Yes, lots, " insisted Peggy. 

"Well, I'll wager anything you could take this launch up the river aseasily as the coxswain is doing it, " was Polly's excited statement. 

"How's that, Stewart? Have you been teaching your girl navigation?"

"I hadn't a thing to do with it. It's all due to the good friends whohave been looking after her while I'VE been shooting up targets. ButPolly's right. She CAN handle a craft and so can this little redhead, "laughed Captain Stewart, pulling a lock of Polly's hair which thefrolicsome wind had loosened. 

"By Jove, let's test it. Not many girls can do that trick. Coxswain, turn over the wheel to this young lady, but stand by in case you'reneeded. "

The coxswain looked a little doubtful, but answered: "Aye, aye, sir. "

"Oh, ought I?" asked Peggy. 

"Get busy, messmate, " said Captain Boynton. 

The next second the girl was transformed. Tossing her big hat aside andgiving her hair a quick brush, she laid firm hold upon the wheel andinstantly forgot all else. Her eyes narrowed to a focus which nothingescaped, and Stewart gave a little nod of gratified pride and steppedback a trifle to watch her. Captain Boynton's face showed hisappreciation and Polly's was radiant. The old coxswain muttered: "Well, well, you get on to the trick of that, lassie. You might have served ona man-o-war. "

They were now well out in the river and making straight for the railwaybridge. Peggy alert and absorbed was watching the current as it swirledbeneath the arches. "How does the tide set in that middle arch, coxswain?" she asked. 

"Keep well to starboard, miss, " he answered. 

Peggy nodded, and gave an impatient little gesture as a lumbering powerboat, outward bound seemed inclined to cut across her course. "What ailsthat blunderbuss? I have the right of way. Why doesn't he head inshore?"and she signalled sharply on her siren to the landlubber evidently bentupon running down everything in sight, and wrecking the tub he wasnavigating. Then with a quick motion she flicked over her wheel andrushed by, making as pretty a circle around him as the coxswain himselfcould have made. "Holy smoke, but ye have given him the go-by in bettershape than I could myself. Whoever taught ye?"

"A navy captain down at Annapolis, " answered Peggy, as she shot thelaunch beneath the bridge. 

"Well, he did the job all right, all right, and I may as well go backand sit down. Faith, I thought we were as good as stove in when I handedover the wheel to ye, but I'm thinking I can learn a fancy touch or twomyself. "

"Oh, no, don't go. I don't know the river, you know, though I want to domy best just to make Daddy proud of me, " answered Peggy modestly. 

"Well then he should be a-yellin' like them crazy loons yonder on theobservation train--that's what he should, " nodded the coxswain. 

Neil Stewart was not yelling, but he wasn't missing a thing, andpresently Peggy ran the launch into a clear bit of water near the three-mile flag. 

Bringing her around, she issued her orders, her mind too intent upon thebusiness in hand to be conscious that all on the launch had beenwatching her with absorbing interest. Anchors were thrown over fore andaft in order to hold the launch steady against the current, then turningthe wheel over to the admiring coxswain, Peggy wiped her hands upon herhandkerchief and holding out her right one to Captain Boynton, said:

"Thank you so much for letting me try. It was perfectly glorious to feelher respond to every touch and thread her way through all that ruck. "

"Thank me? Great Scott, child, you've done more for the whole outfitthan you guess. Stewart, my congratulations. "

Poor Peggy was overcome, but the boys and Polly were alternately runningand praising her, every last one of them as proud as possible to callPeggy Stewart chum. 

But out yonder the shells were already in the water and the electricspark of excitement had flashed from end to end of that long line ofgayly bedecked expectant yachts and launches, as down to them floatedthe strains of the Yale boating song as it is never sung at any othertime, and thousands of eager eyes were peering along the course watchingfor the first glimpse of the dots which would flash by to victory ordefeat. 

CHAPTER XVI

THE RACE

The shells had now gotten away and were maneuvering to get into a goodposition at their stake boats, far beyond the sight of the gay companyon hoard the Frolic, which could only guess how things were progressingby the rocketing cheers all along the line of anxiously waitingspectators. 

Along the course the launches of the committee were darting thither andyonder like water-bugs in their efforts to keep the course clear. Presently arose the cries:

"They are off! They are off! They are coming! They are coming, " and farup the line the puffing of the observation train could be heard with nowand again an excited, hysterical tooting of the engine's whistle, asthough in the midst of so much excitement it had to give vent to itsown. 

Presently two dots were visible, looking little more than huge water-bugs in the perspective, the foreshortening changing the long sixty-footshells into spidery creatures with spreading legs. 

The observation train following along the shore presented an animated, vari-colored spectacle, with its long chain of cars filled withbeautifully gowned women and girls, and men in all the bravery of summerserges and white flannels. Banners were waving and voices cheering, tobe caught up and flung back in answering cheers from the craft upon theriver. 

Peggy and Polly stood as girls so often do in stress of excitement, witharms clasped about each others' waists. The boys stood in characteristicattitudes: Durand with his hands upon his hips--lithe and straight as anarrow, but intent upon the onrushing crews; Shortie with his arm thrownover Wheedles' shoulder subconsciously demonstrating the affection hefelt for this chum from whom he would so soon be separated and for howlong he could not tell. The friendships formed at the Academy areexceptionally firm ones, but with graduation comes a dividing of theways sometimes for years, sometimes forever. It is a special provisionof Providence that youth rarely dwells upon this fact, and the feelingis invariably expressed by:

"So long! See you later, old man. " Captain Stewart and Commander Haroldwere a striking evidence of this fact. They had not met until years hadelapsed and the common tie of daughter and niece had re-united theirinterests. But, another strange feature; they had as much in commontoday as though their ways had divided only the week before. 

They now stood watching the approaching crews with powerful glasses, their terse comments enlightening their friends as to what was takingplace beyond their unaided range of vision. Peggy and Polly were fairlydancing up and down in their eagerness. 

On came the shells growing every second more defined in outline, although from their distance from the Frolic their progress seemed slow, only the flashing of the blades in and out of the water indicating thatthe men were not out for a pleasure pull, and the blue ripples asterntelling that sixteen twelve-foot sweeps were pushing that water behindthem for all they were worth. 

Thus far Harvard was in the lead by half a length, and holding her ownas she drew near the three-mile flag, where the Frolic swung and tuggedat her anchors. But it must be admitted that the sympathies and hopes ofall in the Frolic centered in the Yale shell; a Yale coach had drilledand scolded and "cussed" and petted the Navy boys to victory only a fewweeks before, and Ralph, if no one else, felt that all his future restedin the ability of that Yale coach "to knock some rowing sense into hisblock. "

"Daddy Neil! Daddy Neil, yell at them! Yell!" screamed Peggy, breakingaway from Polly to run to her father's side and literally shake him, asthe crews drew nearer and nearer. 

"I AM yelling, honey. Can't you hear me?"

"I mean yell something that will make those Yale men put--put oh, something into their stroke which will overhaul the red blades. "

"Ginger? You mean ginger? To make 'em pull like the very--ahem. Like thevery dickens? Hi! Shortie, whoop up the Siren--there are only about adozen of us here but give it hard. Give it for all you're worth when theYale crew crosses our bow. You girls know it and so do the older women, and the crew can make a try at it. Now be ready. Whoop it up!"

Shortie sprang into position as cheer-leader pro-tem and if wildgyrations and a deep voice lent inspiration certainly nothing more wasneeded, for as the shells came rushing on

"Hoo--oo--oo--oo--oooo! Hoo--oo--oo--oo--oooo! Hoo--oo--oo--oo--oooo! Hoo--oo--oo--oo--oooo! Navy! Navy! Navy! Yale! Yale! Yale!"

was wailed out over the water, and as upon many another occasion backyonder on the old Severn it had acted as a match to gunpowder to alosing cause with the Navy boys, so it now startled the men in the Yaleboat, for they had many friends in the Navy School and had heard thatyell too often when they were in the lead in some sport not to know thefull significance of it. It meant to the losing people: "Get after theother fellows and beat them in spite of all the imps of the lowerregions!"

The Yale men had no time to acknowledge the cheer; all their thoughtsand energies must center upon the O-n-e, T-w-o, T-h-r-e-e, F-o-u-r, F-i-v-e, etc. Of the coxswain and his "Stroke! Stroke! Stroke!" But thatyell had done what Peggy hoped and secretly prayed it would:

The long blades flashed in and out of the water quicker and cleaner, cutting down Harvard's lead, until just as they swept by the Frolic thatdiscouraging discrepancy was closed and the two shell's noses were even. Yale had made a gallant spurt. 

"Up anchor and after them, " ordered Captain Boynton and the crew sprangto obey orders, eagerness to see the finish lending phenomenal speed totheir fingers, and the Frolic was soon in hot pursuit of the shells, Yale now pulling a trifle ahead of her adversary in that last fatefulmile. 

How those eight bare backs swayed back and forth. Harvard's beautiful, long, clean sweep was doing pretty work, but that Siren Yell seemed tohave supplied the "ginger" necessary to spur on the Yale men. 

"Give 'em another! Give 'em another!" shouted Captain Stewart, as theFrolic came abreast of the Yale crew, and fairly shaking Captain Haroldin his excitement. 

"Avast there! Give way, man! Do you want to yank me out of my coat?" helaughed. 

"I'll yank somebody out of something if those Yale boys don't pull alength ahead of those Johnny Harvards, " sputtered Neil Stewart. 

"Whoop it up fellows--AND friends. The four N Yell for old Yale, " bawledShortie in order to make himself heard above the din and pandemonium ofscreaming sirens and the yelling, and in spite of it all the Yale crewheard

"N--n--n--n! A--a--a--a! V--v--v--v! Y--y--y--y! Yale! Yale! Yale!"

and laid their strength to their sweeps. Chests were heaving and breathcoming in panting gasps, but the coxswain of the Yale crew was abreastof number three in the Harvard shell, and inch by inch the space waslengthening in favor of the blue-tipped blades. 

"Yale! Yale! Yale!"

yelled the crowd as only such a crowd can yell. Then clear water showedbetween the shells and the four-mile flag fluttered like a blur as theYale crew rushed by it. Slower plied the blades, shoulders which hadswayed backward and forward in such perfect rhythm drooped, and one ortwo faces, gray from exhaustion, fell forward upon heaving chests. Thenthe rowing ceased, the long oars trailed over the water, as Harvard'screw slid by and came to a standstill. Friends flocked to the shells tobring them alongside the floats where, nerve-force coming to the rescueof physical exhaustion, the big fellows managed to scramble to thefloats and fairly hug each other as they did an elephantine dance infeet from which some stockings were sagging, and some gone altogether. But who cared whether legs were bare or covered!

The Frolic came boiling up to the float at a rate calculated to smashthings to smithereens if she did not slow down at short order, everybodyyelling, everybody shouting like bedlamites. 

"Best ever! Best ever! The Siren started it and the Four N. Did thetrick!" shouted Captain Stewart, while all the others cheered andcongratulated in chorus. 

"Give 'em again. Give 'em again. By Jove, I'm going to get up a race ofmy own and all you fellows will have to come to yell for us, " criedCaptain Boynton, and again the Navy Yell sent a thrill through thoseweary bodies upon the float. Then gathering together all the "sand" leftin them they gave the old Eli Yell for their friends of the Navy withmore spirit than seemed possible after such a terrific ordeal as theyhad just undergone. 

And all those months of training, all that endless grind of hard work, for a test which had lasted but a few minutes, ending in a certainvictory for one shell and a certain defeat for the other, since victorysurely could not possibly result for both. 

"See you all at the Griswold tonight, " called Captain Boynton, as thelaunch shoved off and got under way. 

"Sure thing! Have our second wind by that time we hope, " were the cheeryanswers. 

"Take the helm again, little skipper, " ordered Captain Boynton. "YourDaddy is just dying to have you but modesty forbids him to even look ahint of it. "

"May I really?" asked Peggy. 

"Get busy, " and Peggy laughed delightedly as she took the wheel from thecoxswain who handed it over with:

"Now I'll take a lesson from a man-o-war's lassie. "

Shortie, Happy and Wheedles had now gone aft to "be luxurious" theysaid, for wicker chairs there invited relaxation and the ladies weremore than comfortable. Ralph, Durand and Jean had gone forward to thewheel to watch the little pilot's work, Durand's expressive face full ofadmiration for this young girl who had grown to be his good comrade. 

Durand was not a "fusser, " but he admired Peggy Stewart more than anygirl he had ever known, and the friendship held no element of sillysentimentality. 

How bonny they both looked, and how strikingly alike. Could there, afterall, have been any kindred drop of blood in their ancestry? It did notseem possible, yet how COULD two people look so alike and not have somekinship to account for it?

Peggy was not conscious of Durand's close scrutiny. She was too intentupon taking the Frolic back to the Griswold's dock without being stovein, for in the homeward rush of the sightseers, there seemed a very goodchance of such a disaster. 

Nevertheless, there always seems to be a special Providence watchingover fools, and to judge by the manner in which some of those launcheswere being handled, that same Providence had all it could handle thatafternoon. 

They had gone about half the distance, and Peggy was having all shewanted to do to keep clear of one particularly erratic navigator, herface betokening her contempt for the wooden-headed youth at the helm. 

The badly handled launch was about thirty feet long, and carrying aheavier load than was entirely safe. She was yawing about erratically, now this way, now that. 

"Well, that gink at the helm is a mess and no mistake, " was Durand'sscornful comment. "What the mischief is he trying to do with that tubanyhow?"

"Wreck it, ruin a better one, and drown his passengers, I reckon, "answered Peggy. 

"And look at that little child. Haven't they any better sense than tolet her clamber up on that rail?" exclaimed Polly, for just as thelaunch in question was executing some of its wildest stunts, a littlegirl, probably six years of age, had scrambled up astern and was tryingto reach over and dabble her hands in the water. 

"They must be seven kinds of fools, " cried Durand. "Say, Peggy, there'sgoing to be trouble there if they don't watch out. "

But Peggy had already grown wise to the folly--yes, rank heedlessness--on board the other launch. If any one had the guardianship of that childshe was certainly not alive to the duty. 

"I'm going to slow down a trifle and drop a little astern, " she saidquietly to Durand. "Don't say a word to any one else but stand by incase that baby falls overboard; they are not taking any more notice ofher than if she didn't belong to them. I never knew anything sooutrageous. What sort of people can they be, any way?"

"Fool people, " was Durand's terse rejoinder and his remark seemed wellmerited, for the three ladies on board were chatteringly oblivious ofthe child's peril, and the men were not displaying any greater degree ofsense. 

Peggy kept her launch about a hundred feet astern. They had passed thebridge and were nearing the broader reaches of the river where ferryboats were crossing to and fro, and the larger excursion boats which hadbrought throngs of sightseers to New London were making the navigationof the stream a problem for even more experienced hands, much less thecallow youth who was putting up a bluff at steering the "wash tub, " asRalph called it. 

The older people in the Frolic were not aware of what was happening upahead. The race was ended, they had been tinder a pretty high stress ofexcitement for some time, and were glad to settle down comfortably andleave the homeward trip to Peggy and the coxswain who was close at hand. Never a thought of disaster entered their minds. 

Then it came like a flash of lightning:

There was a child's pathetic cry of terror; a woman's wild, hystericalshriek and shouts of horror from the near-by craft. 

In an instant Durand was out of his white service jacket, his shoes werekicked off and before a wholesome pulse could beat ten he was overside, shouting to Peggy as he took the plunge:

"Follow close!"

"I'm after you, " was the ringing answer. 

"Heaven save us!" cried Captain Stewart, springing to his feet, whilethe others started from their chairs. 

"Trust him. He is all right, Daddy. I've seen him do this sort of thingbefore, " called Peggy, keeping her head and handling her launch in amanner to bring cheers from the other boats also rushing to the rescue. 

It was only the work of a moment for Durand swimming as he could swim, and the next second he had grasped the child and was making for theFrolic, clear-headed enough to doubt the chance of aid being rendered bythe people on the launch from which the child had fallen, but absolutelysure of Peggy's cooperation, for he had tested it under similarconditions once before when a couple of inexperienced plebes had beencapsized from a canoe on the Severn, and Peggy, who had been out in hersailboat at the time, had sped to their rescue. A boat-hook was promptlyheld out to the swimmer and he and his burden were both safe on boardthe Frolic a moment later, neither much the worse for their dip, thoughthe child was screaming with terror, answering screams from one of thewomen in the other launch indicating that she had some claim to theunfortunate one. 

"She's all right. Not a hair harmed. Keep cool and we'll comealongside, " ordered Captain Stewart. "Not the least harm done in theworld. "

But the woman continued to shriek and rave until Mrs. Harold said:

"I would like to shake her soundly. If she had been paying any attentionto the child the accident never could have happened. "

The dripping baby was transferred to her mother, Captain Harold hadclapped Durand on the back and cried: "Boy, you're a trump of the firstwater, " and the rest of the party were telling Peggy that she was "abrick" and "a first-class sport, " and "a darling, " according to thevocabulary or sex of the individual, when the second feminine occupantof the launch which had been the cause of all the excitement, electrified every one on the Frolic by exclaiming:

"Why, Neil! Neil Stewart! Is it possible after all these years? Don'tyou know me? Don't you know Katherine? Peyton's wife!"

For a moment Neil Stewart looked nonplussed. His only brother hadmarried years before. Neil had attended the wedding, meeting the bridethen, and only twice afterward, for his brother had died two years afterhis marriage and Neil had never since laid eyes upon Peyton's wife. Ifthe truth must be told he had not been eager to, for she was not thetype of woman who attracted him in the least. Yet here she was beforehim. By this time the launches had been run up to one of the docks uponthe West shore of the Thames. Naturally, both consolation for theemotional mother of the child as well as introductions were now inorder, Mrs. Harold and Captain Stewart offering their services. These, however, were declined, but Mrs. Peyton Stewart embraced the opportunityto rhapsodize over "that darling child who had handled the launch withsuch marvelous skill and been instrumental in saving sweet littleClare's life. " Durand, drying off in the launch, seemed to be quite outof her consideration in the scheme of things, for which Durand was dulythankful, for he had taken one of his swift, inexplicable aversions toher. But Madam continued to gash over poor Peggy until that modestlittle girl was well-nigh beside herself. 

"And to think you are right here and I have not been aware of it. Oh, Imust know that darling child of whose existence I have actually beenignorant. I shall never, never cease to reproach myself. "

Neil Stewart did not inquire upon what score, but as soon as it could bedone with any semblance of grace, bade his undesirable relativefarewell, promising to "give himself the pleasure of calling thefollowing day. "

"And be sure _I_ shall not lose sight of THAT darling girl again, " Mrs. Peyton Stewart assured him. 

"I'm betting my hat she won't either, " was Durand's comment to Wheedles, "and I'd also bet there's trouble in store for Peggy Stewart if THATfemme once gets her clutches on her. Ugh! She's a piece of work. 

"A rotten, bad piece, I'd call it, " answered Wheedles under his breath. 

When Mr. And Mrs. Harold, Captain Stewart and Peggy returned to thelaunch one might have thought that they, instead of Durand, had beenplunged overboard. They seemed dazed, and the run across to the Griswolddock was less joyous than the earlier portion of the day had been. 

CHAPTER XVII

SHADOWS CAST BEFORE

Captain Boynton as host entertained the launch party at dinner at theGriswold that evening, and later all attended the dance given in honorof the winning crew. 

Many of the Yale and Harvard men were old friends of the midshipmen, having been to Annapolis a number of times either to witness orparticipate in some form of athletics. So old friendships were renewed, and new ones made, though, in some way Peggy and Polly felt less at homewith the college men than with "our boys, " as they both called all fromAnnapolis, notwithstanding the fact that "our boys" were in someinstances the seniors of the college men. But the Academy life ispeculiar in that respect, and tends to extremes. Where the collegianfrom the very beginning of his career is permitted to go and come almostat will, and as a result of that freedom of action attains a libertywhich, alack, has been known to degenerate into license, the midshipmanmust conform to the strictest discipline, his outgoings limited, withthe exception of one month out of the twelve, to the environs of alittle, undeveloped town, and with every single hour of the twenty-fouraccounted for. Yet, on the other hand he must at once shoulderresponsibilities which would make the average collegian think twicebefore he bound himself to assume them. 

And the result is an exceptional development: they are boys at heart, but men in their ability to face an issue. Ready to frolic, have "arough house, " and set things humming at the slightest provocation, butequal to meet a crisis when one must be met and--with very rareexceptions--gentlemen in word and deed. 

Peggy's and Polly's chums during the winter just past had been chosenfrom the best in the Academy, and it was no wonder they drew very sharp, very critical comparisons when brought in touch with other lads. InPeggy's case it was all a novelty, though Polly had known boys all herlife. 

Nevertheless, the ball given at the Griswold would have been joyunalloyed but for one fly in the pot of ointment: A most insistent, buzzing fly, too, in the form of Mrs. Peyton Stewart. 

Perhaps while all the world is a-tiptoe in the packed ballroom, orcrowding the broad piazzas of the hotel, this will be an opportunemoment in which to drop a word regarding Mrs. Peyton Stewart. 

As lads, Neil Stewart and his brother had been devotedly attached toeach other. Peyton was five years Neil's junior, and Neil fairly adoredthe bright little lad. Naturally, Neil had entered the Naval Academywhile Peyton was still a small boy at boarding-school. Then Peyton wentto college and at the ripe age of twenty-two, married. 

Had the marriage been a wise one, or one likely to help make a man ofthe heedless, harum-scarum Peyton, his family, and his brother, wouldprobably have accepted the situation with as good a grace as possible. But it was NOT wise: it was the very essence of folly, for the girl wasnearer Neil's age than Peyton's, and came of a family which could neverhave had anything in common with Peyton Stewart's. She was also entirelyfrivolous, if not actually designing. Neil was the only member of hisfamily who attended the wedding, which took place in a small New Jerseytown, and, as has been stated, had seen his undesirable sister-in-lawonly twice after her wedding-day. Upon one occasion by accident, andupon the last at his brother's death, only two years after the marriage, and had then and there resolved never to see her again if he couldpossibly help it, for never had one person rubbed another the wrong wayas had Mrs. Peyton rubbed her brother-in-law. 

Naturally, Peyton had received his share of his inheritance upon thedeath of his parents, but Neil had inherited Severndale, so while MadamPeyton Stewart was not by any means lacking in worldly goods, she hadnothing like the income her brother-in-law enjoyed. But she was by nomeans short-sighted, and like a flash several thoughts had entered herhead when chance brought her in touch with him. She had never been ofthe type which lets a good opportunity slip for lack of prompt action, so in spite of her hostess' rather excited frame of mind as the resultof the afternoon's accident, she persuaded her to attend the ball at theGriswold that evening. 

She must have something to divert her thoughts from the horror of thatprecious child's disaster and miraculous rescue from death, she urged, that same child, as a matter of fact, being as gay and chipper as thougha header from the stern of a crowded launch into a more crowded riverwas a mere daily incident in her life. 

So there sat Madam, gorgeous in white satin and silver, plying her fanand her tongue with equal energy. 

Presently Peggy danced by with Durand, not a few eyes following thebeautiful young girl and handsome boy, and to an individual those whosaw them decided that they were brother and sister. This was Mrs. Stewart's opportunity and she made the most of it: Turning to a ladybeside her she gurgled:

"Oh, that darling child. She is my only niece though I have never mether until this very afternoon. Isn't she a beauty? THINK what asensation she will be sure to create a year or two hence when she comesout. Don't you envy me? for, of course, there is no one else tointroduce her to society. Her mother died years ago. "

"And the young man with her?" questioned the lady, wondering why thedarling niece had not figured more prominently in the aunt's lifehitherto. "Is he her brother?"

"No. He is the hero of the day. The young naval cadet [save the mark!]who so nobly sprang overboard after sweet little Clare and saved herunder such harrowing circumstances. Isn't he simply stunning! Have youever seen a more magnificent figure? I think he is the handsomest thingI've ever laid my eyes upon. And so devoted to dear Peggy. And they sayhe has a fortune in his own right. But, that is a minor consideration;the dear child is an heiress herself. Magnificent old home in Marylandand, and, oh, all that, don't you know. "

Madam's information concerning her niece's affairs seemed to have grownamazingly since that chance encounter during the afternoon. 

At that moment the dance came to an end and by evil chance Peggy andDurand were not ten feet from Mrs. Stewart. She beckoned to them and, ofcourse, there was nothing to do but respond. They at once walked over toher. 

"Oh, Mrs. Latimer, let me present my dear niece Miss Stewart to you, andPeggy darling, I MUST know this young hero. You dear, dear boy, weren'tyou simply petrified when you saw that darling child plunge overboard?You are a wonder. A perfect wonder of heroism. Of course the girls arejust raving over you. How could they help it? Uniforms, brass buttons, the gallant rescuer and--now turn your head the other way because youare not supposed to hear this--all the gifts and graces of the gods. Ah, Peggy, I suspect you have rare discrimination even at YOUR age, andwell--Mr. Leroux--YOU have not made any mistake, I can assure you. "

Perhaps two individuals who have suddenly stepped into a hornet's nestmay have some conception of Peggy's and Durand's sensations. Peggylooked absolutely, hopelessly blank at this volley. Durand's face wasfirst a thunder-cloud and then became crimson, but not on his ownaccount: Durand was no fool to the ways of foolish women; hismortification was for Peggy's sake; he loathed the very thought ofhaving her brought in touch with such shallowness, exposed to suchvulgarity, and the charm of their rarely frank intercourse invaded bysuggestions of silly sentimentality. Thus far there had never been ahint, nor the faintest suggestion of it; only the most loyal goodfellowship; and his own attitude toward Peggy Stewart was one of thehighest esteem for a fine, well-bred girl and the tenderest sense ofprotection for her lonely, almost orphaned position. He looked at Mrs. Peyton Stewart with eyes which fairly blazed contempt and she had thegrace to color tinder his gaze, boy of barely nineteen that he was. 

"And you are going to let me know you better, aren't you, dear?"persisted Mrs. Stewart. "I am coming to see you. Do ask father to comeand talk with me. There are a thousand questions I must ask him, andinnumerable incidents of old times to discuss. "

"Captain Stewart is just across the room. I will tell him you areanxious to see him, Mrs. Stewart, and then I must take you to Mrs. Harold, Peggy, or the other fellows will never find you in this jam, "and away fled Durand, quick to find a loophole of escape. Whether NeilStewart appreciated his zeal in serving the family cause is open tospeculations, but it served the turn for the moment. Neil Stewart wasobliged to cross the room and talk to his sister-in-law, said sister-in-law taking the initiative to rise at his approach, place her hand uponhis arm, and say:

"Dear Neil, what a delight after all these years. But pray take meoutside. It is insufferably oppressive in here and I have so much I wishto say to you. "

Just what "dear Neil's" innermost thoughts were need not be conjectured. He escorted the lady from the big ballroom, and Durand whisked Peggyaway to Mrs. Harold, though he said nothing to the girl--he was ragingtoo fiercely inwardly, and felt sure if he said anything he would saytoo much. Nor was Peggy her usual self. She seemed obsessed by aforewarning of evil days ahead. Durand handed her over to the partnerwho was waiting for her, and saw her glide away with him, then slippinginto a vacant chair behind Mrs. Harold, who for the moment happened tobe alone, he said:

"Little Mother, have you ever been so rip-snorting mad that you havewanted to smash somebody and cut loose for fair, and felt as if you'dburst if you couldn't?"

The words were spoken in a half-laughing tone, but Mrs. Harold turned tolook straight into the dark eyes so near her own. 

"What has happened, son?" she asked in the quiet voice which alwayssoothed his perturbed spirit. He repeated the conversation just heard, punctuating it with a few terse comments which revealed volumes to Mrs. Harold. Her face was troubled as she said:

"I don't like it. I don't like it even a little bit. I'm afraid troubleis ahead for that little girl. Oh, if her father could only be with herall the time. Outsiders can do so little because their authority is solimited and those who HAVE the authority are either too guileless ordebarred by their stations. Dr. Llewellyn, Harrison and Mammy are theonly ones who have the least right to say one word, and--"

Mrs. Harold ceased and shrugged her shoulders in a manner which mighthave been copied from Durand himself. 

"Yes, I know who you mean. And Peggy is one out of a thousand. She andPolly too. Great Scott, there isn't an ounce of nonsense in their heads, and if that old fool--I beg your pardon, " cried Durand, fussed at hisbreak, but Mrs. Harold nodded and said:

"There are times when it is excusable to call a spade a spade. "

"Well, " continued Durand, "if that femme starts in to talk such rot toPeggy it's going to spoil everything. Why, you never heard suchconfounded foolishness in all your life. "

"Come and walk on the terrace with me, laddie, and cool off bothmentally and physically. I know just how you feel and I wish I could seethe way to ward off the inevitable--at least that which intuition hintsto be inevitable--

"And that is?" asked Durand anxiously. 

"Child, you have been like a son to me for two years. Peggy has grownalmost as dear to me as Polly. I long to see that rare little girlblossom into a fine woman and she will if wisely guided, but with such aperson as her aunt--"

"You don't for a moment think she will go and camp down at Severndale?"demanded Durand, stopping stock-still in consternation at the picturethe words conjured up. 

"I don't KNOW a thing! Not one single thing, but I am gifted with anintuition which is positively painful at times, " and Mrs. Harold resumedher walk with a petulant little stamp. 

Nor was her intuition at fault in the present instance. In some respectsNeil Stewart was as guileless and unsuspicious as a child, but MadamStewart was far from guileless. She was clever and designing to adegree, and before that conversation upon the Griswold piazza, ended shehad so cleverly maneuvered that she had been invited to spend the monthof September at Severndale, and that was all she wanted: once herentering wedge was placed she was sure of her plans. At least she alwaysHAD been, and she saw no reason to anticipate failure now. 

But she did not know Peggy Stewart. She thought she had read at a glancethe straightforward, modest little girl, but the real Peggy was not tobe understood in the brief period of four hours. 

Meanwhile, Peggy was blissfully unaware of her impending fate, and hadalmost dismissed Mrs. Stewart's very existence from her thoughts. Sheand Polly were dancing away the hours in all the joy of fifteen summers, and rumors of a wonderful plan were afloat for the following day. Thiswas no more nor less than a cutter race between the midshipmen of theOlympia and the Chicago. For days the two crews had been practising andwere only waiting for the big day to come and pass before holding theirown contest. 

The Chicago really had the picked men, most of them being the regularcrew men, and while pulling in a cutter is a far cry from pulling in ashell, nevertheless, the work of trained men usually counts in the longrun, and the boys and the Jackies had bet everything they owned, fromtheir best shoes to a month's pay, upon the victory of the Chicago'screw. 

But the Olympia boys "were lyin' low, an' playin' sly. " They had but onecrew man in their cutter, but he was "a jim dandy, " being no less thanLowell, the stroke oar of the Navy crew, and a man who could "put moreginger into a boatload of fellows than any other in the outfit, " so hischums averred. 

Durand was on the Olympia's crew, and Durand's shoulders were worthconsiderable to any crew. 

Nicholas was on the "Old Chi, " Ralph on the Olympia, so the forces wereabout equally divided, and the girls were nearly distracted over theissue, for if they could have had the decision both would have beenvictorious. 

The following morning dawned as sparkling and clear as the previous one. "Regular Harold weather, " the boys pronounced it, owing to the fact thatrarely had Mrs. Harold planned a frolic of any sort back yonder inAnnapolis without the weather clerk smiling upon it. 

When "Colors" came singing across the water at eight o'clock, up wentthe squadron's bunting in honor of the day, and a pretty picture theships presented dressed from stem to stern in their gay, varicoloredflags. 

The race would take place at three o'clock in the afternoon but apreliminary pull over the course was in order for the morning, andCaptain Boynton of the Olympia and Captain Star of the Chicago were aseager to have all conditions favorable, and the lads "fit to a finish, "as though their ages, like those of the contestants were within thefirst score of life's journey. So their launches were ordered out towatch that morning practice and they ran and jeered each other like acouple of schoolboys out for a lark, and that attitude did more to putspirit in the boys, to establish good feeling and the determination to"Put up a showing for the Old Chi" or "that fighting machine of the oldman's, " the "old man" being their term of affection for Admiral Dewey, than all the "cussing out" in the English vocabulary could have done. 

CHAPTER XVIII

YOU'VE SPOILED THEIR TEA PARTY

So absolutely confident of winning were the people, officers, midshipmenand crew on board the Chicago that they had made all their plans for theelaborate tea and dance to be given on board the ship of the winningcrew. 

Boatloads of Jackies had been sent ashore for evergreens, and a force ofmen had been put to work decorating the quarter-deck, the wardroom andthe steerage until the ship presented a wonderful picture. The dance wasto be held on the quarter-deck of the ship of the victorious crewimmediately after the race, so the preparations were elaborate and hopesmore than sanguine. Already the Chicago's officers mentally pictured thegay gathering upon her tastefully decorated decks; saw the handsomelygowned chaperones and the daintily clad girls in all the bravery ofsummer gowns dancing to the strains of the ship's band. Oh, it was theprettiest mental vision imaginable!

And on the old Olympia? That stately veteran of Manila Bay upon whosebridge his loyal, devoted admirers had outlined in brass-headed nailsthe very spot where Commodore Dewey's feet had rested as he spoke thememorable words:

"When you are ready you may fire, Gridley. "

And the Olympia's personnel? The admiral of the fleet, the captain andthe officers straight down to the very stokers? Well, THEY had an ideaof what the Olympia's men were worth when it came to the scratch and afew things were privately moving forward which might have made theChicago's personnel sit up and take notice had they found time to do so. 

There were no EVERGREENS brought over the side, it is true, but launcheshad been darting to and fro with systematic regularity, and each timethey came from New London significant-looking boxes, important juniorofficers, and odd freight came, too, but no one was the wiser. Not onlywere awnings spread fore and aft, but they were hung in such a way thatpassing craft, however curious the occupants, could not see what mightbe taking place on board. 

But with five bells came a revelation. A steady line of launches put offto the shore, some to the east, some to the west, to return with a gayfreight, and as they came up the starboard gangway the festivefemininity broke into rapturous exclamations, for on every side wereroses! Red roses, white roses, pink roses, pale yellow roses, begged, bought or--hush!--from every farmhouse within a radius of five miles, and every nook and corner of the deck was made snug and attractive withbunting, or rug-covered--well, if not chairs, improvised seats whichserved the purpose equally well and from which "the get-away" could beclearly seen, the course being a triangular one, starting on the portside of the Olympia and ending on the starboard bow. The Chicago, withall her bravery, lacked the position held by the Olympia. 

Captain Stewart's party were the guests of the Olympia and had comeaboard early. 

Peggy and Polly were wild with excitement. At least Polly was; Peggytook her pleasures with less demonstration. 

The cutter crews were already in their boats and ready to pull out tothe starter's launch which bobbed gaily within easy range of thequarter-deck. 

Peggy and Polly hung over the rail calling cheery farewells to Durandand Lowell and telling the others that they would never forgive them ifthey did not win the trophy. 

"Win! Win! Fill up that tin cup right now and have it ready to hand overwhen we come back the proud victors of the day, for we'll be thirsty andyou can just bet we're going to come back in that fascinating guise--winners, we mean. What? Let those lobsters from the 'Chi' beat us out?Not on your life! You just watch us play with them, and pull all aroundthem, " shouted Lowell as the cutter shoved off at the coxswain's word. 

Meanwhile the Chicago's cutter had taken. Her berth and was ready forthe send-off from the committee's launch. 

Now a cutter race is no holiday pastime but a long pull and a strongpull from start to finish, for a cutter weighs something over and abovea racing shell, to say nothing of her lines being designed for servicein stress rather than for a holiday fete. Add to the weight of the boatherself her freight of twelve men, and all pretty husky fellows, andyou've got some pulling ahead in order to push that boat through a givendistance of water. 

If all the civil world had been on the alert during the previous day'scontest, certainly all the little Navy world assembled at New London wason the alert that afternoon. The decks of the Chicago and Olympia werecrowded with friends. The ships' launches were darting about likedistracted water-bugs, and innumerable "shore boats" were bringingguests from every direction. 

Presently, however, the course was cleared, the signals given and theheavy oars took the water as only "man-o-war's men's" oars ever take it:as though one brain controlled the actions of the entire crew. 

The start was pretty even, the huge sweeps dipping into the watersimultaneously and cleanly. Then the Chicago's men began to pull slowlyaway from the Olympia's, the coxswain right at the outset hitting up thestroke faster than the Olympia's coxswain considered good judgment soearly in the race, for that triangle had three sides, as is the rule oftriangles, and each side presented a pretty good distance. 

But the people on the Chicago were cheering and yelling like bedlamites, pleased to the very limit to see their men putting up such a showing, and confident of their ability to hold it to the finish. They did notpause to reason that they had begun at a stroke which meant just adegree more endurance than most men are equal to, but they were sanguinethat their ship was to hold a function in their honor. 

Just astern the Chicago's boat the Olympia's coxswain was keeping up hissteady "Stroke! Stroke! Stroke! Stroke!" which sent the boat boilingthrough the water as though propelled by a gasoline engine. TheOlympia's men were holding their own if not breaking a record. 

"Hold her steady. Keep the stroke. We won't try to set the Thames afire--not YET, " were the coach's significant words from his launch. 

Lowell nodded quick understanding but kept his steady weight against theoar which was setting the stroke for the men behind him, and Durand'seyes hardly left the sway and swing of that splendid broad back just infront of him as on they rushed to the first flag-boat, making the turnof the triangle just a length astern of the Chicago's men, and amidstthe cries of:

"Hit it up, Olympia! Overhaul 'em! Pull down that lead!" from the launchfollowing, in which several officers were yelling like Comanches. 

"Takes better men. You didn't know how to pick 'em, " were the tauntingcries from the Chicago's launch on their starboard beam. 

"Wait till they round the next stake-boat. They're only playing with younow. "

"Playing OUT? They've got to do better than this to overhaul US. We arerowing some, " were the laughing answers. 

"Now we'll play for fair. Hit her up to thirty-six, " was the order ofthe Olympia's coxswain, and the oars flashed response to the order, thecutter seeming to fly. 

There was a quick exclamation from the coxswain of the Chicago's cutter, a sharp command, and the stroke jumped to thirty-eight which sent theboat boiling forward. Another command on the Olympia's as the secondstake boat was neared and the Olympia's crew was holding it at forty, aslip to tell, and the boats rounded the second stake-boat bows even. 

Then came the home stretch; the last telling, racking effort of the two-mile triangle. The Chicago was still pulling a splendid thirty-eight asthey swept by the stake-boat, but once the turn was made oars flashed upto forty-two, for the Olympia's nose had forged half a length aheadafter that turn. 

Meantime pandemonium had cut loose in the launches as well as on boardthe ships, and if yelling, hooting, or calls through megaphones couldput power into a stroke, certainly no inspiration was wanting. 

Half the last stretch was covered, the lads rowing in splendid form whenthe Chicago's men started in to break the record and their launch wentmad as they spurted to forty-six to overhaul their rival's lead. But aforty-six stroke is just a trifle more than can be held in a heavycutter with twelve, fourteen and sixteen-foot oars weighing many poundseach; it simply could not be held. 

"Give 'em forty-two for a finish, fellows, " bawled the Olympia'scoxswain through his megaphone, literally pro bono publico. And forty-two did the trick, for forty-six could not be held, and the Olympia'scutter swept past the stake-boat a length in the lead, while CaptainBoynton on the bridge beside the admiral of the fleet fairly jumped upand down. 

Alas, and alack for the dance on board the Chicago and the tea to beserved to her admiring guests!

One of the conditions of that tea and dance was victory with a capital Vfor the hosts. 

"Bring 'em aboard! Bring 'em aboard! Pass the order, " rumbled theadmiral. 

"Just as they are!" questioned Boynton, not quite sure that heunderstood aright. 

"Yes! Yes! Bring 'em aboard!"

"What will the ladies say?" gasped Boynton. "These rowing togs arerather sketchy. "

"Hang their clothes! Get 'em some. Pass the word, man. Bring them up theSTARBOARD GANGWAY. Bring 'em up, I say, and get down there to welcomethem! They own the ship and everything on board!"

Boynton lost no time in passing the word and hurrying down to greet thewinning crew and it seemed as though the whole personnel of the oldOlympia had gone stark mad. 

But to see and hear was to obey and the Olympia's lads, clad in raimentconspicuous principally for its limitations, came piling up the sacredstarboard gangway to be met by Captain Boynton who grasped each hand inturn as he shouted:

"You're a bunch worth while! You spoiled their tea party! You busted uptheir dance, confound you, you scamps! You did 'em up in shape and WE'REthe whole show! Now go below and get fit to be seen, then come back andlet the ladies feed you and make fools of you, for they'll DO it allright. "

And they were fed! They were ready to be. A pull over such a coursemeans an appetite, but whether these level-headed chaps were made foolsof is open to question. 

It was long after dark before that frolic ended, and the ships were afairy spectacle of electric lights, the band's strains floating acrossthe water as light feet tripped to the inspiring strains of waltz ortwo-step. 

That was one of the happiest afternoons and evenings Peggy and Polly hadever known, and so passed many another, for Neil Stewart meant thatmonth to be a memorable one for Peggy, little guessing how soon a lesshappy one would dawn for her, or how unwittingly he had laid the trainfor it. 

For two weeks there were lawn fetes at Navy Bungalow, long auto tripsthrough the beautiful surrounding country and the delightfully cosyfamily gatherings which all so loved. 

After Gail's graduation Mrs. Howland returned bringing that golden-haired lassie with her, Snap and Constance coming too. 

Gail's introduction to the circle was a funny one:

Captain Stewart had been curious to see whether "Howland number fourwould uphold the showing of the family, " as he teasingly told Polly, andPolly who was immensely proud of her pretty sister had brindled andprotested that: "Gail was the very best looking one of the family. "

"Then she must be going some, " he insisted. 

She was a sunny, bonny sight in spite of a dusty ride down fromNorthampton, and Captain Stewart was at the steps to help her from theauto which had been sent up to the New London station to meet her. Shestepped out after her mother and Constance, but before Mrs. Howland hada chance to present her Captain Stewart laid a pair of kindly hands uponher shoulders, held her from him a moment, peering at her from under histhick eyebrows in a manner which made a pretty color mantle her cheeks, then said with seeming irrelevance:

"No, the Howland family doesn't lie, but on the other hand they don'tinvariably convey the whole truth. You'll pass, little girl. Yes, you'llpass, and you don't look a day older than Polly and Peggy even if youare hiding away a sheepskin somewhere in that suitcase yonder. Yes, I'lladopt you as my girl, and by crackey I'm going to seal it, " and withthat he took the bonny face in both hands and kissed each rosy cheek. 

Poor Gail, if the skies had dropped she couldn't have been morenonplussed. She had heard a good deal of the people she was to visit buthad never pictured THIS reception, and for once the girl who had beenpresident of her class and carried off a dozen other honors, was asfussed as a schoolgirl. 

Peggy came to her rescue. 

Running up to her she slipped her arms about her and cried:

"Don't mind Daddy Neil. We are all wild to know you and we're just BOUNDto love you. How could we help it? You belong to us now, you know. Comewith me. You are to have the room right next ours--Polly's and mine, Imean--and everything will be perfectly lovely. "

Within three days after Gail's arrival Happy, Wheedles and Shortie hadto leave for their own homes, as their families were clamoring for someof their society during that brief month's leave before they joinedtheir ships. But fortune favored them in one respect, for Happy andWheedles were ordered to the Connecticut, the flag-ship of the Atlanticfleet, and Shortie to Snap's ship, the Rhode Island in the same fleet. So, contrary to the usual order of things where men in the Academy havebeen such chums, their ways would not wholly divide. 

Two weeks later the practice ships weighed anchor for Newport, and theparty at Navy Bungalow was broken up. Mrs. Howland, Constance, Gail andSnap returned to Montgentian. Captain Stewart and Captain Harold wereobliged to rejoin their ships, Mrs. Harold, with Polly and Peggy, goingon to Newport, thence along the coast, following the practice squadronuntil its return to Annapolis the last day of August when all midshipmengo on a month's leave and the Academy is deserted. 

Mrs. Harold was to spend September with her sister, a pleasure uponwhich she had long counted. Peggy was invited to join her, but alas!Captain Stewart had rendered THAT impossible by asking his sister-in-lawto pass September at Severndale. 

Of this Peggy had not learned at once, but was bitterly disappointedwhen she did, though she strove to conceal it from her father, when, toolate, he awakened to what he had done. 

Mrs. Stewart had contrived to spend as many hours as possible at NavyBungalow, but she had certainly not succeeded in winning the friendshipof its inmates, and Neil Stewart bitterly regretted the impulse whichhad prompted him to invite her to Severndale. When too late he realizedthat he had fallen into a cleverly planned trap, dragging Peggy withhim. And what was still worse, that there would be no one at hand tohelp her out of the situation into which his short-sightedness hadinvolved her. As a last resort he wrote to Dr. Llewellyn:

"I've been seven kinds of a fool. Watch out for Peggy. She's up againstit, I am afraid, and it is all my doing. I'll write you at length later. Meanwhile, I'm afraid there'll be ructions. "

Poor Dr. Llewellyn was hopelessly bewildered by that letter and preparedfor almost anything. 

Mrs. Harold and Polly bade Peggy good-bye at New York. Jerome and Mammyacting as her body-guard upon the homeward journey. 

It was a hard wrench, and the two girls who had been such closecompanions for so long felt the separation keenly. 

"But you know we'll meet in October and have all next winter before us, "were Polly's optimistic parting words, little guessing how the comingwinter would be changed for both her and Peggy. 

It had been arranged that Mrs. Stewart should arrive at Severndale onthe fifth of September. Peggy reached there on the second and in a half-hearted way went about her preparations for receiving her aunt. 

Nor were Mammy and Jerome more enthusiastic. They had pretty thoroughlysized up their expected guest while at New London. 

Nevertheless, noblesse oblige was the watchword at Severndale. 

CHAPTER XIX

BACK AT SEVERNDALE

The first two days of Peggy's return to Severndale were almostoverwhelming for the girl. True, Dr. Llewellyn met and welcomed her, andstrove in his gentle, kindly manner to make the lonely home-coming alittle less lonely. It was all so different from what she hadanticipated. That he was there to welcome her at all was a mere chance. He had planned a trip north and completed all his arrangements, when anold, and lifelong friend fell desperately ill. Deferring his trip forthe friend's sake, Neil Stewart's letter caught him before hisdeparture, and after reading that his own pleasures and wishes were setaside. Duty, which had ever been his watchword, held him at Severndale. 

"When questioned by him--circumspectly it is true--Peggy's answersconveyed no idea of pending trouble, nor did they alter his charitableview of the world or his fellow beings. 

"Why, Filiola, I think it must be the very happiest solution of thesituation here: I am getting too old and prosy to make life interestingfor you; your father will not be retired for several years yet, so thereis little hope of your claiming his companionship; Mrs. Harold is a mostdevoted friend, but friendships in the service must so often be brokenby the exigencies of the duties; she may be compelled to leave Annapolisat almost any time, and if she is, your friend Polly will be obliged toleave also. Why, little one, it seems to me quite providential that youshould have met your aunt in New London and that she will visit youhere, " and good Dr. Llewellyn stroked with gentle touch the pretty brownhair resting against his shoulder, and looked smilingly down upon thetroubled young face. 

"Yes, Compadre, I know you think it will be quite for the best and I'msure it would if--if--"

Peggy paused. She hated to say anything uncomplimentary of the personwhom the law said she must regard as her aunt. 

"Are you prejudiced, my dear?"

There was mild reproof in Dr. Llewellyn's tone. 

"I am afraid I am. You see I have been with the 'Little Mother, ' and Ido love her so, and Polly's mother, too, and oh, Compadre, she islovely. Perfectly lovely. If you could only see Polly with her. There issomething--something in their attitude toward each other which makes meunderstand just what Mamma and I might have been to each other had shelived. I never guessed what it meant until last winter, or felt it as Idid up there in New London. Daddy Neil is dear and precious but Mammaand I would have been just what Polly and HER mother are to each other;I know it. "

"Will it not be possible for you and your aunt to grow very deeplyattached to one another? She, I understand, is quite alone in the world, and you should mean a great deal to each other. "

Peggy's slight form shuddered ever so little in his circling arm. Thatlittle shudder conveyed more to Dr. Llewellyn than a volume of wordscould have done. He knew the sensitive, high-strung girl too well not tocomprehend that there must be something in Mrs. Peyton Stewart'spersonality which grated harshly upon her, and concluded that it wouldbe wiser not to pursue the subject. 

"Go for a spin upon Shashai's silky back, and let Tzaritza's long leapscarry yon into a world of gladness. Nelly has been asking for you andthe five-mile ride to her home will put things straighter. "

"I'll go, " answered Peggy, and left him to get into her linen ridingskirt, for it was still very warm in Maryland. 

From the moment of her return Tzaritza had never left Peggy's side, andher horses, especially Shashai, Roy and Star had greeted her with everydemonstration of affection. She now made her way to the paddockintending to take out her favorite, but when she called him the othertwo came bounding toward her, nozzling, whinnying, begging for hercaresses. 

"What SHALL I do with all three of you?" cried Peggy. "I can't ridethree at once. "

"You'll be having one grand time to git shet o' the other two whicheverone you DO take; they've been consoling themselves for your absence bystickin' together as thick as thieves: Where one goes, there goes'tothers, " laughed Shelby, who had gone down to the paddock with her. 

"Then let them come along if they want to, " and Peggy joined in thelaugh. 

"You couldn't lose 'em if you tried; first they love you, and thenthey're so stuck on each other you'd think it was one body with a dozenlegs. "

Without another word Peggy sprang to Shashai's back. Then with the clearwhistle her pets knew so well, was off down the road. That was a mad, wild gallop but when she came to Nelly's home her cheeks were glowingand her eyes shining as of old. 

"Oh, HAVE you seen Pepper and Salt?" was almost the first question Nellyasked. 

"Well, I guess I have, and aren't they wonders? Oh, I'm so glad I sawthem that day. Do you know they are to be entered in the horse-show andthe steeple-chase this fall? Well, they are. Shelby has made them suchbeauties. But now tell me all about yourself. I'm going to write toPolly tonight and she will never forgive me if I don't tell her justeverything. You are looking perfectly fine. And how is the knee?"

"Just as well as its mate. I wouldn't know I had ever been lame. Yourdoctor is a wonder, Miss Peggy, and he was so kind. He said you told himyou had adopted me and he was bound to take extra good care of mebecause I was YOUR girl now. I didn't know you had told him to attend meuntil after you had gone away and I can't thank you enough, but fatheris so worried because he thinks he will never be able to pay such a billas Doctor Kendall's ought to be for curing me. But I tell him it willcome out all right, just as it always has before, for things are lookingup right smart on the farm now. Tom and Jerry certainly do earn theirkeep, as Mr. Shelby said they would, and they are so splendid and bigand round and roly-poly, and strong enough to pull up a tree, fathersays. Don't you want to come and see them?"

"Indeed I do, " and following the beaming, healthy girl whose once palecheeks were now rounded and rosy, Peggy walked to the stump lot justbeyond the little cottage where she was heartily greeted by Jim Bolivar, who said:

"Well, if it ain't a sight fit ter chirker up a dead man ter see ye backagain, Miss Peggy. Will you shake hands with me, miss? It's a kind o'dirty and hard hand but it wants ter hold your little one jist a minuteter try ter show ye how much the man it belongs ter thinks of ye. "

Peggy laid her own pretty little hand in Jim Bolivar's, saying:

"I wish I could make you understand how glad I am to shake hands withyou, and it always makes me so happy to have people like me. It hurts ifthey don't, you know. "

"Well, you ain't likely ter be hurt none ter speak of; no, you ain't, little girl, an' that's a fact. God bless ye! And look at Nelly. Ain'tshe a clipper? My, things is jist a hummin' on the little old farm now, an' 'fore ye know it we'll be buildin' a piazzy. Now come 'long an' seeTom and Jerry. "

And so from one to another went the little chatelaine of Severndale, welcomed at every turn, cheery, helpful, sunny, beloved yet, oh, solonely in her young girlhood. 

And thus passed the first days of Peggy's return to Severndale. Then theeventful one of Mrs. Stewart's arrival dawned. It was a gloriously sunnyone; cool from a shower during the previous night. Mrs. Stewart wouldarrive at five in the afternoon. All morning Peggy had been busy lookingto the preparations for her aunt's reception. Harrison had followed outher young mistress' orders to the letter, for somehow of late, Harrisonhad grown to defer more and more to "Miss Peggy, " though secretly, shewas not in the least favorably inclined toward the prospective additionto the household: Mammy's report had not tended to pre-dispose her inthe lady's favor. 

Nevertheless, she was a guest, and a guest at Severndale stood for morethan a mere word of five letters. 

Peggy ordered the surrey to meet the five P. M. Car but chose to rideShashai, and when Jess set forth with the perfectly appointed carriageand span, Peggy, in her pretty khaki habit fox-trotted beside Comet andMeteor, Tzaritza, as usual, bounding on ahead. 

They had gone possibly half the distance when a mad clatter of hoof-beats caused her to exclaim:

"Oh, Jess, they have leaped the paddock fence!"

"Dey sho' has, honey-chile. Dey sho' has, " chuckled Jess. "Dat ladywhat's a-comin' gwine get a 'ception at 'tention what mak' her open hereyes. "

"Oh, but I did not want her to have such a welcome. She will think weare all crazy down here, " protested Peggy. 

"Well, if she think FIVE thoroughbreds tu'ned out fer ter welcome herstan fer crazy folks she gwine start out wid a mistake. Dem hawses gwinemind yo' an' mak' a showin' she ain' gwine see eve'y day of her lifelemme tell yo'. "

But there was no time to discuss the point further, for Silver Star andRoy came bounding up on a dead run, manes and tails waving, and with themaddest demonstrations of joy at having won out in their determinationNOT to be left behind. They rushed to Peggy's side, whinnying their"Hello! How are you?" to Shashai, who answered with quite as muchabandon. And then came the transformation: At a word from Peggy theyfell into stride beside her and finished the journey to the little depotin as orderly a manner as perfectly trained dogs. When they reached itPeggy stationed them in line, and slipping from Shashai's back orderedTzaritza to "guard. " Then she stepped upon the platform to meet theincoming car, just as little less than a year before she had steppedupon it to welcome the ones whom during that year she had learned tolove so dearly, and who had so completely altered her outlook upon life, and who were destined to change and--yes--save her future, just assurely as the one now momentarily drawing nearer and nearer was destinedto bring a crisis into it. 

The car came buzzing up to the station. There was a flutter of drapery, as a lady with a white French poodle, snapping and snarling at the worldat large, and the brakeman in particular, into whose arms it was thrust, descended from the steps. 

"Handle Toinette carefully. Dear me, you are crushing her, the poordarling. Here, porter, take this suitcase, " were the commands issued. 

"I ain't no po'tah, " retorted the negro who had been singled out byMadam. Then he turned and walked off. 

"Insolent creature, " was the sharp retort, which might have beenfollowed by other comments had not Peggy at that moment advanced to meether aunt. When the negro saw that the new arrival was a friend of thelittle lady of Severndale his whole attitude changed in a flash. Doffinghis cap he ran toward her saying:

"I looks after it fo' YO', Miss Peggy. " The accent upon the pronoun wassignificant. 

"Thank you, Sam, " was the quick, smiling answer. Then:

"How do you do, Aunt Katharine? Welcome to Severndale, " and her hand wasextended to welcome her relative, for Peggy's instincts were rarely atfault. 

But her aunt was too occupied in receiving Toinette into her protectingembrace to see her niece's hand, and Peggy did not force the greeting. "Will you come to the carriage?" she asked, "I hope you are not verytired from the journey. "

"On the contrary, I am positively exhausted. I don't see how you canendure those horrid, smelly little cars. We would not consent to ride amile in them at home. Is this your carriage? Hold my dog, coachman, while I am getting in, " and Toinette was thrust into Jess' hand whichshe promptly bit, and very nearly had her small ribs crushed for herindiscretion, her yelp producing a cry from her doting mistress. 

"Be careful, you stupid man. You can't handle that delicate little thingas though she were one of your great horses. Now put the suitcase by thedriver and leave room here beside me for my niece, " were the furthercommands issued to "Sam. "

Sam did as ordered, but when a dime was proffered answered:

"Keep yo' cash, lady. I done DAT job fer ma little quality lady hyer, an' SHE pays wid somethin' bettah. "

Mrs. Stewart was evidently NOT in her amiable guise, but turning toPeggy she strove to force a smile and say:

"Ignorant creatures, aren't they, dear? But come. I've a thousandquestions to ask. "

"Thank you, Aunt Katharine, but I rode over on my saddle horse, andshall have to ask you to excuse me. "

Not until that moment did Mrs. Stewart notice the three horses standinglike statues just beyond the carriage with the splendid dog lying uponthe ground in front of them. 

Peggy crossed the intervening space and with the one word "Up, " toTzaritza, set her escort in motion. They reached forward long, slimnecks to greet her, Tzaritza bounding up to rest her forepaws upon hershoulders and nestle her silky head against Peggy's face, sure of thesolicited caress. Then Peggy bounded to Shashai's back, and the littlegroup, wheeling like a flash, led the way from the depot. 

"Good heavens and earth! It is quite time someone came down here to lookafter that child. I had no idea she was leading the life of a wildwestern cowboy, " was the exclamation from the rear seat of the surrey, plainly overheard by Jess, and, later duly reported. 

"Huh, Um, " he muttered. 

The ride to Severndale held no charm for Madam Stewart. She was toointent upon "that child's mad, hoydenish riding. Good heavens, if suchwere ever seen in New York, " New York with its automaton figures jiggingup and down in the English fashion through Central Park being hercriterion for the world in general. 

Presently beautiful Severndale was reached. Dr. Llewellyn was waitingupon the terrace to greet his ward's aunt, which he did in his stately, courtly manner, but before ten words were spoken he comprehended allNeil Stewart meant in his letter by the words:

"Stand by Peggy. I've landed her up against it, " and as the young girlled her aunt into the house, with Mammy, all immaculate dignityfollowing in their wake, he mentally commented: "I fear he HAS made agrave mistake; a very grave one, but Providence ordereth all things andwe see darkly. It may be one of the 'wondrous ways. ' We must not formour conclusions too hastily. No, not too hastily. "

And just here we must leave Peggy Stewart upon the threshold of a newworld the entrance to which is certainly not enticing. What theexperiences of that month were, and the revelations which came intoPeggy's life during it; how the perplexing problem was solved and whohelped to solve it, must be told in the story of Peggy Stewart atSchool. But just now we must leave her doing her best to make "AuntKatharine" comfortable; to smooth out some of the kinks already making asnarl of the usually evenly ordered household, for Mammy had not changedher opinion one particle, and when Harrison went back to her ownundisputed realm of the big house she was overheard to remark:

"Well, Neil Stewart is a man, so OF COURSE, he's bound to do some foolthings, but unless I miss MY guess, he's played his trump card THIStime. "