Page:Arthur Stringer-The Loom of Destiny.djvu/58

The Loom of Destiny That night some one came down to dinner wearing a ring with one big shiny diamond in it, and an unusual pinkiness in her cheeks. Peggy did not understand its exact meaning, but she knew it must have come from Ali Baba. The thought filled her with a vague unrest, for Ali Baba scarcely spoke to her all dinner-time. She was silent and miserable as the meal went on. Her mother and father exchanged glances as they noted the change. Miss Peggy was at last learning to act more like a little lady at the table! But there was a mystery and constraint about that dinner that the child did not understand. She felt very lonesome. Ali Baba had forgotten the woman he had promised to marry if she would wait for him!

"When are you going to make your peace with Peggy?" she heard her Aunt Frankie laughingly ask Ali Baba.

"Oh, I'll have to do that when I'm her cross old uncle, shan't I, Peggy?" laughed back Ali Baba. "But Peggy is n't the same little girl I used to know. The Boogie man must have carried off my little Peggy!" 46