Peggy-Alone   By: Mary Agnes Byrne

PEGGY ALONE

BY

MARY AGNES BYRNE

AUTHOR OF "THE LITTLE WOMAN IN THE SPOUT," "LITTLE DAME TROT," "ROY AND ROSYROCKS," "THE FAIRY CHASES," ETC.

DRAWINGS BY

ANNA B. CRAIG

THE SAALFIELD PUBLISHING COMPANY

CHICAGO AKRON, OHIO NEW YORK

Copyright, 1909

By

The Saalfield Publishing Co.

TO MY SISTER TRESS

CONTENTS

CHAPTER

I. PEGGY ALONE II. UNCLE FRED III. GUMDROPS IV. THE GARDEN OF GOOD INTENTIONS V. A DISGUSTED POET VI. A SCORNFUL BEAUTY VII. THEATRICALS VIII. PICNICKING IX. TISSUE PAPER HATS X. ALENE'S VISITORS XI. TAFFY PULLING XII. A STRING OF FISH XIII. A GIRLISH TIFF XIV. THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS XV. AFTER THE SHOW XVI. LAURA'S PROPOSITION XVII. IN THE BERRY PATCH XVIII. TO THE RESCUE XIX. THE BLUE BOX XX. MRS. KUMP'S BIRTHDAY XXI. TO CHINA IN A GLASS BOAT XXII. VEXATIONS AND CONSOLATIONS XXIII. THE CRIMSON BAG XXIV. THE GARDEN PARTY XXV. IVY'S FRIEND XXVI. AN ADVENTURE XXVII. IN THE TOWER

PEGGY ALONE

CHAPTER I

PEGGY ALONE

"Down, Prince!"

High above the shrill exclamations of surprise and terror came that thin silvery command which the dog, great black fellow that he was, obeyed at once, and his flight in pursuit of those daring petticoats which had intruded on his master's orchard was brought to an ignominious end.

"Girls, say, girls, don't be frightened! He won't bite!"

One of the children had already scaled the wall, dropping her apron of apples on the way. She stood ready to help the second down, while the third and largest, who had kept in the rear between the smaller ones and their pursuer, waiting to see them safely over ere hastening her own steps, on hearing those friendly words paused and looked back.

Some distance away, under the apple trees on the grassy terrace, stood a little girl dressed all in white; a wreath of green ivy vines crowded her glossy curls which fell to her waist and framed her thin face; one tiny hand was raised in a beckoning gesture and the other was placed firmly on the head of the dog.

Leading him, she approached the girl who waited in mute surprise.

"Do tell them not to go. They needn't be afraid of Prince now!"

"She says not to be afraid," hallooed the largest girl, whereupon the fugitives came back and seated themselves upon the wall overlooking the scene.

The girl with the dog had come forward. She stood looking half shyly, but with evident good will, from the little maids on the wall to their friend who had turned after recalling the others, and came back a few steps to meet her.

"What are their names?" inquired the stranger.

"This is Ivy Bonner," the other said in a formal tone, pointing to her thinner companion, who swung her feet on the outside of the wall and, though she sat only half facing them, seemed to see everything that went on. "And this is my sister Nettie," she continued, indicating the chubby, flaxen haired party whose ruddy cheeks and great staring blue eyes reminded one of an over grown doll baby.

As each name was pronounced its owner gave a ceremonious little bow such as is always used in make believe introductions, and the newcomer bowed gravely to each in acknowledgment. Then she turned again to the largest girl.

"And yours?"

"I am Laura Laura Lee."

"What's hers?" called Ivy, who felt that there was something lacking in the ceremony.

"Oh, my name's Alene Dawson," was the answer, and then, turning to Laura, she added with a somewhat rueful laugh, "but Uncle sometimes calls me Peggy Alone."

"Why does he call you such a funny name?"

"Why, you see I'm so much by myself, now that mother and father went away and left me here with Uncle Fred. I get lonesome all by myself!"

"I should think you would!" cried Laura compassionately.