Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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rewster s Millions SHS?SS?S?L BY GE0RGE BARR MCCUTCHEON Q Company (RICHARD GREAVES) -.-!-1? Monty Brewster had something like $200,000 in Colonel Drew's bank. He would not have regretted on his own account the collapse of this institution, fcut he realized what it meant to the hundreds of other depositors, and for the first time he appreciated what his money could accomplish. Thinking that Jafc presence might give confidence to the other depositors and stop the run, ??& went over to the bank with Harri? son and Bragdon. The tellers were handingout thousands of dollars to the eager depositors. His friends advised bim strongly, to withdraw before it was too late, but Monty was obdurate. They set.it down to his desire to help Barba? ra's father and admired his nerve. "I understand, l?onty," said Brag? don, and both he and Harrison went among the people carelessly asking one another if Brewster had come to with? draw his money. "No, he has over $200,000, and he's going to leave it," the other would say. Each excited group was visited in turn by the two men, but their assur? ance seemed to accomplish but Ettie. These men and women were there to ?ave their fortunes; the situation was ?esp?rate. . Colonel Drew, outwardly calm and j serene, but inwardly perturbed, finally saw Brewster and his companions. He sent a messenger over with the request that Monty come to the president's pri? vate office at once. "^Be wants to help you to. save your fnpney," cried Bragdon in low tones. "That shows ifs all up." ~ "'Get out every dollar of lt. Monty, and don't waste a minute. It's a smash as sure as fate," urged Harrison, a feverish expression In his eyes. Brewster was admitted ?to the colo - nei's private office. Drew was alone and was pacing the floor like a caged animal "Sit down, Brewster, and don't mind If I seem nervous. Of course we can't fcold out, but it is terrible, terrible! They think we are trying to rob them. They're mad-utterly mad." *T never saw anything like it, eolo Tie2. Ape you .sure you can meet all the demands?" asked Brewster, thor? oughly excited. The colonel's face was I white, 'and he chewed his cigar nerv? ously. -we can hold out unless^some ol our . ?eavSest depositors get the fever and j swoop down upon us. I appreciate your feelings in an affair of this kind, cor Jug ,so swiftly upon the heels of ihe other, but I want to give you my personal assurance that the money you have here is safe I called you in to impress you with the security of the hank. You ought to know the truth, flowerer, and I will tell you in confi? dence that another check like Austin's, which we paid a few minutes ago, would cause us serious though tempo? rary embarrassment" T came to assure you that I have not thought of withdrawing my de? posits from this bank, colonel. Yon fleed have no uneasiness" The door opened suddenly, and one ot the officials of the bank bolted in? side, bis face as white as death. He started to speak before he saw Brew? ster and then closed his lips despair? ingly. **What is it, Mr. Moore?" asked Drew as calmly as possible "Don't mind Mr. Brewster." "Oglethorp wants to draw $250,000," said Moore in strained tones. "WelL he can have it, can't he?" asked the colonel quietly. Moore look? ed helplessly at the president of the bank, and his silence spoke more plain? ly than words. .^Brewster, it looks bad, ' said tue colonel, turning abruptly to the young man. "The other banks are afraid of a run, and we can't count on much help from them. Some of them have helped us and others have refused. Now, I not only ask you to refrain from drawing out-your deposit, but I want you to help us in this crucial moment." The colonel looked twenty j years older, and his voice shook per- \ Tiic proud (Ad man was before him aaa supplia m. ceptibly. Brewster's pity went out to bim in a flash. "What can J do, Colonel Drew?" he cried. 'Til not take my money ou:, but I don't know how 1 can be of fur? ther assistance to you. Command me, Monty, my dear boy, by increas your deposits in our bank,", said colonel slowly and as if dreading ? fate of the suggestion. "You mean, sir, that I can save i bank by drawing my money from o er banks and putting it here?" ask Monty slowly. He was thinking ha er and faster than he had ever thou? in his life. Cuuld he afford to risk 1 loss of his entire fortune on the fi of this bank? What wovjld Swear? gen Jones say if he deliberately < posited a vast amount of money in tottering institution like the Bank Manhattan Island? It would be t maddest folly on his part if the ba went down. There could be no mi gating circumstances in the eyes of ther Jones or the world if he swamp ail jpf his money in this crisis. beg of you. Monty, help us." T colonel's pride was gone. "It mea disgrace if we close our doors ev for an hour; it means a stain that on years can remove. You can resto confidence by a dozen strokes of yo pen, and you can save us." He was Barbara's father. The proi old man was before him as a supp ant, no longer the cold man of ti world. Back to Brewster's mind caa the thought of his quarrel with Ba bara and of her heartlessness, scratch of the pen one way. or the ot er could change the life of Barba] Drew. The two bankers stood b; scarcely breathing. From outside can the shuffle of many feet and the mu fled roll of voices. Again the door 1 the private office opened and a clei excitedly motioned for Mr. Moore 1 hurry to the front of the bank. Mooi paused irresolutely, his eyes on Brev Bier's face. The young man knew tl time had come when he must help < deny them. Like a flash the situation was mad clear to him, and his duty was plan He remembered that the Bank of Mai hartan Island held 5?ery dollar ths Mrs. Gray and Peggy possessed. The: meager fortune had been intrusted t the care of Prentiss Drew and his ai sociates, and it was in danger. "I will do all I can, colonel," sai Monty, "but upon one condition." "That is?" "Barbara must never know of this. The colonel's gasp of astonishmeE was cut short as Monty continu?e "Promise that she shall never know." "I don't understand, but if it is you wish I promise." Inside of half an hour's tijne severa hundred thousand came tb the relie of the. struggling bank and the ma] who had come to watch the run wit! curious eyes turned out to be its sav lor. His money won the day for tb< Bank of Manhattan Island. When th< happy president and directors offeree to pay him an astonishingly high rat? of interest for the use of the monej he proudly declined. The next day Miss Drew issued in vitations for a cotillon. Mr. Mont gomery Brewster was not asked to at tend. ' CHAPTER XIV. MISS DREW'S cotillon was no1 graced by the presence ol Montgomery Brewster. It is true he received an eleventh hour invitation and a very cold and dif? ficult little note of apology, but he maintained heroically the air of dis? dain that had succeeded the first sharp pangs of disappointment. Colo? nel Drew, in whose good graces Monty had firmly established himself, was not quite guiltless of usurping the role of dictator in the effort to patch up a truce. A few nights before the co? tillon, when Barbara told him that Herbert Ailing was to lead, he ex? plosively expressed surprise. "Why not Monty Brewster, Babs?" he de? manded. "Mr. Brewster is not coming," she responded calmly. "Coiner to be out of town?" "I'm sure I do not know," stiffly. "What's this?" "He has not been asked, father." Miss Drew was not in good humor. "Not asked?" said the colonel in amazement. "It's ridiculous, Babs. Send him an invitation at once." "This is my dance, father, and I don't want to ask Mr. Brewster." Tho colonel sank, back in his chair and struggled to overcome his anger. He knew that Barbara had inherited his willfulness and had long since dis? covered that it was best to treat her with tact. "I thought you and he were"- But the colonel's supply of tact was ex? hausted. "We were," in a moment of absent? mindedness, "but ifs ail over." said Barbara. "Why. child. lhere wouldu'l have been a cotillon if it hadn't been for" But the colonel remembered his prom? ise to Monty and checked himself just in time. "I-I mean lhere will not be any party if Montgomery Brewster is not asked. That is all 1 care to say on the subject." And ho stamped ??ut of the room. Barbara wept copiously after her fa? ther had gone, but she realized thc: his will was ?aw and that Monty must be invited. "I will send an invitation." she sail to herself, "but if Mr. Throw? ster cr*mes aft? r he in.s read it 1 shall be surprised." Montgomery, however, did not re? ceive the uote in the spirit lu which it had been sent. Ko only saw in it a of hope that Barbara was rele? and was jubilant at the prospect reconciliation. The next Sunday sought an interview with Miss I) but she received him with icy res? If he had thought to punish hei staying away it was evident that felt equally responsible for a g deal of misery on his part. Both been more or less unhappy, and were resentfully obstinate. Brew felt hurt and insulted, while she that he had imposed upon her disgi fully. He was now ready to cry q and it surprised him to find her o rate. If he had expected to dictate terms of peace he was woefully di pointed when she treated his adva: with cool contempt. "Barbara, you know I care ' much for you," he was pleading, fi on the road to submission. "I am : you are not quite indifferent to This foolish misunderstanding ri really be as disagreeable to you a is to me." "Indeed!" she replied, lifting brows disdainfully. "You are ass ing a good deal, Mr. Brewster." "I am merely recalling the fact 1 you once told me you cared, would not promise anything, I kn but it meant much that you cared, little difference could not have chan your feeling completely." "When you are ready to treat with respect I may listen to your p rion," she said, rising haughtily. "My petition?" He did not like' word, and his tact quite deserted h "It's as much yours as mine. D< throw the burden of responsibility me, Miss Drew." "Have I suggested going back to old relations? You will pardon mc I remind you of the fact that you ca today on your own initiative and < tainly without my solicitation." "Now, look here, Barbara"- he gan, dimly realizing that it was go to be hard, very hard,' to bring her reason. "I am very sorry, Mr. Brewster, 1 you will have to excuse me. I am ? ing out." "I regret exceedingly that I shoi have disturbed you today, Miss Dre\ he said, swallowing his pride. "P haps I may have the pleasure of s? ing you again." As he was leaving the house, de anger in his soul, he encountered t colonel. There was something abc Monty's greeting, cordial as it WJ that gave the older man a hint as the situation. "Won't you stop for dinner, Monty he asked in the hope that his st picion was groundless. "Thank you, colonel, not tonighi and he was off before the colonel cou hold him. Barbara was tearfully angry wh< her father came into the room, but he began to remonstrate with her ti tears disappeared and left her at whi heat "Frankly, father, you don't unde stand matters," she said, with slow er phasis. "I wish you to know now th? if Montgomery Brewster calls again shall not see him." "If that is your point of view, Barb; ra, I wish you to know mine." Tl colonel rose and stood over her, ever, thing forgotten but the rage that wei so deep that it left the surface cale Throwing aside his promise to Brev ster, he told Barbara with dramat simplicity the story of the rescue of tl bank. "You see," he added, "if it ha not been for that op*fen hearted boy w would now be ruined. Instead of gn ing cotillons you might be giving mt sic lessons. Montgomery Brewster wi always be welcome in this house, an you will see that my wishes are r< spected. Do you understand?" "Perfectly," Barbara answered in still voice. "As your friend I shall tr, to be civil to him." The colonel was not satisfied with s cold blooded an acquiescence, but h wisely retired from the field. He lef the girl silent and crushed, but with ; gleam in her eyes that was not alto gether to be concealed. The story ha< touched her more deeply than sb would willingly confess. It was some thing to know that Monty Brewste: could do a thing like that and would d< it for her. The exultant smile which i brought to her lips could only be mad< to disappear by reminding hersell sharply of his recent arrogance. He] anger, she found, was a plant whicl needed careful cultivation. It was in a somewhat chastenec mood that she started a few days latei for a dinner at the DeMilles'. As shi entered in her sweeping golden gown the sight of Monty Brewster at the oth? er end of the room gave her a flutter at the heart, but it was an agitation that was very carefully concealed. Brew? ster was certainly unconscious of it. To him the position of guest was like a disguise, and he Avas pleased at the prospect of 1 rfting himself go under the mask wrnout responsibility. But it took on a tifferent color when the butler bandee - him a card which signi? fied that ho was to take Miss Drew in to dinner. Hastily seeking out the host? ess, he endeavored to convoy to her the impossibility of the situation. MI hope you won't misunderstand me," he said. "But is it too late to change my place at the table?" "It isn't conventional. I know, Mon? ty. Society's chief aim is to separate engaged couples at dinner." said Mrs. Dan. w ith a hindi, "lr would i?.- pos? itively compromising if a man and his wife sat t<)LT<*il?-?*-." Dinner was announced before Monty could utter another word."and as she led him over to Barbara she said: "Be? hold a generous hostess who gives up the l.?esi luau in Tia* crowd so that he and s cae one else may have a happy time. 1 leave ?i ?<? yon. Barbara, if that isn't the test ?d' friendship." For a moment thc two ri voled their cyr- on ia;- ;? ?or; iii":; iii" humor of tho situation caine I . Monty. "I did n->i know that we were sup? posed t ? di? Gibson tableaux tonight" be said dryly as !:<> \ rofferod his arm. -T don't imd?r>"t:>T>il ' * " 1 Barbs ra's curiosity overcame her determina? tion not to speak. "Don't you remember tho picture of the man who was called npon to take his late fiancee out to dinnerV" The awful silence with which this remark was received put an end to further efforts at humor. The dinner was probably the most painful experience in their lives. Bar? bara had come to it softened and ready to meet him halfway. The right kind of humility in Monty would have found her plastic. But she had very definite and rigid ideas of his duty in the premises, and Monty was too simple minded to seem to suffer and much too flippant to understand. It was plain to each that the oilier did not expect to I talk, but they both realized that they owed a duty to appearances and to their hostess. Through two courses at least there was dead silence between them. It seemed as though every eye I in the room were on them and every ! mind were speculating. At last in sheer desperation Barbara turned to him with the first smile he had seen on her face in days. There was no smile in her eyes, however, and Monty un? derstood. "We might at least give out the im? pression that we are friends," she said auietly. "More easily said than done," he responded gloomily. "They are all looking at us and won? dering." "I don't blame them." "We owe something to Mrs. Dan, I think." "I know." Barbara uttered some inanity when? ever she caught any one looking in their direction, but Brewster seemed not to hear. At length he cut short some remark of hers about the weather. "What nonsense this is, Barbara," he said. "With any one else I would chuck the whole game, but with you it is different. I don't know what I have done, but I am sorry. I hop? you'll forgive me." "Your assurance is amusing, to say the ieast" "But I am sure-I know this quar? rel is something we'll laugh over. You keep forgetting that we are going to be married some day." A new light came into Barbara's eyes. "You forget that my consent may be necessary," she said. "You will be perfectly willing when the time comes. I am still in the fight and eventually you will come to my way of thinking." "Oh! I see it now," said Barbara, and her blood was up. "You mean to force me to it What you did for fa ther" Brewster glowered at her, thinking that he had misunderstood. "What do you mean?" he said. "He has told me all about that wretched bank business. But poor "J/ it had not been for him we miqhi have been ruined." father thought you quite disinterested. He did not see the little game behind your melodrama. He would have torn up your check on the instant if he had suspected you were trying to buy his daughter." "Does your father believe that?" tsked Brewster. I "No, but I see lt all now. His per? sistence and yours-you were not slow to grasp the opportunity he offered." "Stop. Miss Drew," Monty com? manded. His voice had changed, and she had never before seen that look in his eyes. "You need have no fear that I will trouble you again." CHAPTER XV. ATYPOGRAPHICAL error in one of the papers caused no end of amusement to every one except j * Monty and Miss Drew. The j headlines had announced. "Magnificent ! Ball to Be Given Miss Drew by Her j Finance," and the Little Sons of the i Rich wondered why Monty did not see ! the humor of it. "Tie has too bad an attack to see any- j thing but the lady," said Harrison one evening when the Sons were gathered j for an old time supper party. "It's always the way." commented j ! the philosophical Bragdon. "When you ! j lose your hean your sense of humor ! I goes too. Engaged couples couldn't do | j such ridiculous stums if they had the . ? least particle of it left." j "Well, if Monty Brewster is still in : j love with Miss Drew he takes a mighty j j poor way of showing it." Subway j ! Smith's remark fell like a bombshell. \ j The thought had come to every one. j j hut no one had been given the courage ? to inter it. I'or them Brewster's si- ' lenee on the suhj<>:-t since the DeMille (limier sei med to have something om? inous behind it: i "It's probably only n lexers' quar? rel." said Bragdon. Ihn. further com- j m.-ni was cul short by the entrance "i' ! Monty himself, and they ! >k their places ai table. Before ?he evening came t<? an end j they were in posses<? m of many aston- ! isbbv? details in connection with die ! was t? be given for Miss Drew, an ber name was conspicuously absei from his descriptions. As he unfolds his plans even the Little^ Sons, wi were imaginative by instinct and reel less on principle, could not be quit acquiescent. Xopper Harrison solemnly expresse the opinion that the ball would coi Brewster at least $125,000. The Littl Sons looked at one another in coi sternation, while Brewster's indiffe: ence expressed itself in an unflattei ing comment upon his friend's vulga: itv. "Good Lord, Xopper," he adde( "you would speculate about the prie of gloves for your wedding!" Harrison resented tho taunt. "1 would be much less vulgar to do tha Monty, saving your presence, than t force your millions down every one' throat." "Well, they swallow them, I've nc ticed," retorted Brewster, "as thong they were chocolates." Pettingiii interrupted grandiloquent ly, "My friends and gentlemen!" "Which is which?" asked Van Wir kle casually. But the artist was in the saddle "Permit me to present you to the bo; Croesus-the only one extant. His mai bles are plunks, and his kites are mad of fifty dollar notes. Ile feeds upo: coupons a la Xewburg. and his chain pagne is liquid golden eagles. Look a him, gentlemen, while you can an< watch him while he spends $13.000 fo flowers!" "With a Viennese orchestra for twen ty-nine thousand!" added Bragdon "And yet they maintain that silence i golden." "And three singers to divide twelve thousand among themselves! That's ab solutely criminal!" cried Van Winkle "Over in Germany they'd sing a monti for half that amount." "Six hundred guests to feed-tota cost of not less than $40.000," groanet Xopper dolefully. "And there aren't COO in town," la mented Subway Smith. "All that glorj wasted on 200 rank outsiders." "You men are borrowing a lot of trou hie," yawned Brewster, with a gallanl effort to seem bored. "All I ask of yoi] is to come to the party and put up a good imitation of having the time ol your life. Between you and me, I'd rather be caught drinking ice cream so? da than giving this thing. But" "That's what we want to know-but what?" and Subway leaned forward eagerly. "But," continued Monty, "I am in foi it now, and it is going to be a ball that is a bali." Xevertheless the opti - V: . -stei could not find the cour . roil Peg? gy of these picturesque . ; ;aces. To satisfy her curiosity : 7 in? formed her that he vas rig off much more cheaply tba . expect? ed. He laughingly deno - drue the stories that had cc ? from outside sources, and con? vincing assertions that .. re ri? diculously exaggerated d ex? pression in the girl's e; - ired. "I must seem a fool.' rn . . Mon? ty as he left the hou ';.??? ie of these explanatory trials, bui. what will she think of me toward the end of the year when T am really in harness"?" He found it hard to control the desire to be straight with Peggy and tell her the story of his mad race in pursuit of poverty. Reparations for the ball went on steadily, and in a dull winter it had its color value for society. It was to be a Spanish costume ball, and at many tea tables the talk of it was a godsend. Sarcastic as it frequently was on the question of Monty's extrav? agance, there was a splendor about the Aladdin-like entertainment which had a charm. Beneath the outward disap? proval there was a secret admiration of the superb nerve of the man. And there was little reluctance to help him in the wild career he had chosen. It was so easy to go with him to the edge of the precipice and let him take the plunge alone. Only the echo of the criticism reached Brewster, for he had silenced Harrison with work and Pet tingill with opportunities. It troubled him little, as he was engaged in jotting down items that swelled the profit side of his ledger account enormously. The ball was bound to give him a good lead in the race once more despite the heavy handicap the Stock Exchange had imposed. The 'Little Sens took off their coats and helped Pettingiii in the work of preparation. He found them quite superfluous, for their ideas never agreed, and each man had a way of preferring his own suggestion. To Brewster's chagrin, they were united in the effort to curb his extravagance. "He'll be giving automobiles and ropes of pearls f->r favors if we don't stop him," said Subway Smith after Monty had ordered a vintage cham? pagne to be served during the entire evening. "Give them two glasses first, if you like, and then they won't mind if they have cider tho rest of the night." "Monty is plain dotty," chimed in Bragdon. "and the pace is beginning to tell on him." As a matter of fact the pace was be? ginning to tell on Brewster. Work and worry were plainly having an effect on his health. Iiis cohn* was bad, his eyes were losing their luster, and there was a listlessness in his actions that even determined effort could not con? ceal from his friends. Lil ile hts ol' fever annoyed him occasionally, and he admitted tba! he did not feel quite right. "Something is wrong somewhere." he ; said ruefully, "and my whole system seems ready to stop work through sym- ? pathy." _ , I [TO BS COXTIXT7ED.J His <?m*<-r Question. Mudge -What an aggravating habit j Wickwire has of answering a question ! by asking an ?tiler! Yabsiey-I never noticed ii. Mudge Xow. for instance, hist night I asked him if he would lend me $10. ile didn't say whether he could or not. but asked me if T took BUICK LAW PROHIBITION. Consrabies Destroy Illicit Distilleries in Greenville County. Spartanburg. May 1.-The Spartan burg constabulary force, composed of Constables F. R. Mulligan. J. F. Mil? ler, W. D. Whitmire, M. P. Hayes and W. B. Dean, this morning destroyed three distilleries in Greenville county near Hogback mountain. The stills had the following capacities: 100 gal? lons and two with a capacity of 65 gallons each. There was a quantity of contraband found at each place and this was poured on the ground. The entire plants of the distillers were de? stroyed. The force also seized 15 gal? lons of liquor at thc home of Lewis Scoggins, which is located near one of the stills destroyed. The electric fire alarm system is on the bum and the fire alarm is now op? erated by police power as in ante Game well fire alarm system days. The tr mole is said to be due to the lack of sufficient batteries to operate the alarm bell. *Xot a thing harmful in One Min? ute Cough Cure, but it relieves a cough .yaieLIy, cuts the phlegm. Healing and soothing. Sold by all druggists. An effort is being made to have the Southern and Atlantic Coast Line rail? ways build a Union depot in Barnwell. ?Why take a dozen things to cure that cough? Kennedy's Laxative Hon? ey and Tar allays the congestion, stops that tickling, drives the cold out through your bowels. Sold by ali drug? gists. The Charleston board of city school commissioners have decided not to 'recommend to city council the con? version of the Thomson auditorium into a city school as had been propos? ed. *For a painful burn there is nothing like Dewitt's Witch Hazel Salve. There are a host of imitations of Dewitt's Witch Hazel Salve on the market-see that you get the genuine. Ask for De? witt's. Good, too, for sunburn, curs, bruises, and especially recommended for piles. The name E. C. DeWitt & Co., Chicago, is on every box. Sold by all druggists. There are 134 Confederate pension? ers in Sumter county and they re? ceive $3,352.30. Lee county has 134 pensioners and they receive $3.432.95. Clarendon county has 145 on the rolls and they receive $3,770.60. *A torpid, inactive liver can produce more bodily ills than almost anything else. It is good to clean the system out occasionally. Stir the liver up, and get into shape generally. 'The best results are derived from the use of Dewitt's Little Early Risers. Re? liable, effective, pleasant pills with a reputation. Xever gripe. Sold by all druggists. Governor Heyward has requested Attorney General Youmans to investi? gate the* status of the bond case against the State Treasurer and to take such steps as may be necessary to protect the interest of the State. Deaths From Appendicitis * Decrease in the same ratio that the use of Dr. King's New Life Pills in? creases. They save you from danger and bring quick and' painless release from constipation and the ills growing out of it. Strength and vigor always follow their use. Guaranteed by Si bert's Drug Store. 25c. Try them. Mr. LeGrand Dickson, formerly with China's Drug Store, is now at Du? nant's Pharmacy. lt is Dangerous to Xegleet a Cold. '?'How often do we hear it remark? ed: "It's only a cold," .'.nd a few days later iearn that the m\n is on his back with pneumonia. Tl is is of such common occurrence that a cold, how? ever slight, should not be disregarded. Chamberlain's Cough Remedy coun? teracts any tendency of a cold to re? sult in pneumonia, and has gained its great popularity and extensive sale by its prompt cures of this most com? mon ailment. It always cures and is pleasant to take. For sale by all druggists. Mr. Jake Shuford has returned to Sumter and is now in charge of the soda fountain at China's Drug Store. Mr. Shuford is one of the best ?n tre 1 itsiness, and will be piesse*] to see h.s friends at China's soda founttain. Not ii as Rich as Rockefeller. *If you had all the wealth of Rock? efeller, the Standard Oil ?nagi.ate. you could not buy a better med? icine for boucl complaints than Chamberlain's Colic. Cholera and Diarrhoea Remedy. The most emi? nent physician cannot prescribe a bet? ter preparation for colic and diar? rhoea, both f'>r children and adults. The uniform success of this remedy has show n it to be superior to all oth