all pale blue eyes at the lawyer.

"And ez that the kind o' chirpin these critters keep up?"

"I regret to say, my dear young lady," responded the lawyer, "that the
world is censorious. I must add," he continued, with engaging frankness,
"that we professional lawyers are apt to study the opinion of the world,
and that such will be the theory of--our side."

"Then," said Peggy stoutly, "ez I allow I've got to go into court to
defend my character, I might as well pack in them three millions too."

There is hearsay evidence that Peg added to this speech a wish and
desire to "bust the crust" of her traducers, and, remarking that "that
was the kind of hairpin" she was, closed the conversation with an
unfortunate accident to the plate, that left a severe contusion on the
legal brow of her companion. But this story, popular in the bar-rooms
and gulches, lacked confirmation in higher circles. Better authenticated
was the legend related of an interview with her own lawyer. That
gentleman had pointed out to her the advantage of being able to show
some reasonable cause for the singular generosity of the testator.

"Although," he continued, "the law does not go back of the will for
reason or cause for its provisions, it would be a strong point with the
judge and jury--particularly if the theory of insanity were set up--for
us to show that the act was logical and natural. Of course you have--I
speak confidently, Miss Moffat--certain ideas of your own why the late
Mr. Byways was so singularly generous to you."

"No, I haven't," said Peg decidedly.

"Think again. Had he not expressed to you--you understand that this is
confidential between us, although I protest, my dear young lady, that
I see no reason why it should not be made public--had he not given
utterance to sentiments of a nature consistent with some future
matrimonial relations?" But here Miss Peg's large mouth, which had been
slowly relaxing over her irregular teeth, stopped him.

"If you mean he wanted to marry me--No!"

"I see. But were there any conditions--of course you know the law takes
no cognizance of any not expressed in the will; but still, for the sake
of mere corroboration of the bequest--do you know of any conditions on
which he gave you the property?"

"You mean did he want anything in return?"

"Exactly, my dear young lady."

Peg's face on one side turned a deep magenta color, on the other a
lighter cherry, while her nose was purple, and her fore