The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, September 01, 1905, Image 3
V#. =
a*
; Brew
j 1 Mill
! 2&&&L By CEOR
? Company (
k
''
Mr. Croat drew the document from
a pigeonhole in his desk, adjusted Ids
glasses and prepared to read. Then,
as though struck by n sudden thought, .
he laid the paper down and turned
once inore to Brewster.
"It seems that Sedgwick never mar- .
rled. Your mother was his sister and |
The most extraordinary of these conditions
was the one which required
the heir to he absolutely penniless upon
the twenty-sixth anniversary of Ills
birth, Sept. 23.
The Instrument went Into detail in
respect to this supreme condition. It
set forth that Montgomery Brewster
was to have no other worldly possession
than the clothes which covered
him on the September day named. lie
was to begin that day without a penny
to his name, without a single article
of jewelry, furniture or finance that
he could call his own or could thereafter
reclaim. At 0 o'clock. New York
time, on the morning of Sept. 23 the
executor, under the provisions of the
will, was to make over and transfer
to Montgomery Brewster nil of the
moneys, lands, bonds and Interests
mentioned in the Inventory which accompanied
the will. In the event that
Montgomery Brewster had not in every
particular complied with the requirements
of the will to the full satisfaction
of the said executor, Swearengen
Jones, the estate was to be distributed
among certain Institutions of charity
designated in the instrument. Underlying
this imperative injunction of
Jnmcs Sedgwick was plainly discernible
the motive tlint prompted It. In
W nImftflt un inanv irnnla lir? rlnnlnpail Siot
*- his heir shonld not receive the fortune
it he possessed n single penny that bad
come to hlui In any shape or form
from the man lie hated, Edwin Peter
Brewster. While Sedgwick could not
Have known at the time of his death
that the hanker had bequeathed $1,.
000,000 to 1U? grandson, It was more
than apparent that he expected the
young man to be enriched liberally by
his enemy. It was to preclude any
possible chance of the mingling of his
fortune with the smallest portion .of
Edwin P. Brewster's that James Sedgwick
on bis deathbed put Ills hand to
this astonishing Instrument.
There was also a clause In which be
undertook to dictate the conduct of
Montgomery Brewster during the year
leading up to his twenty-sixth anniversary.
He required that the young man
should give satisfactory evidence to
the executor that he was capable of
managing his affairs shrewdly aud
wisely; that he possessed the ability
to "add to the fortune through his own
enterprise; that he should come to his
twenty-sixth annlversury with a fair
name and a record free from anything
worse than mild forms of dissipation;
that his habits be temperate; tbpt he
ins omy Known roiniive or close connection.
He was n man of most peculiar
temperament, but In full possesslon
of bin mental faculties. You may
V ltiid tills will to lie a strange document,
but I tlilnk Mr. Jones, the executor,
-explains any mystery that may be suggested
by Us terms. While Sedgwick's
whereabouts were unknown to his old
friends In New York, It seems that he
was fully floated on all that was going
on here. lie knew that you were the
only child of your mother and therefore
his only nephew. He sets forth the
dntes of your, mother's marriage, of
your birth, of the death of Robert
lire water and of Mrs. Brewster. He
also was aware of the fact that old
Kdwin Peter Brewster Intended to bequeath
a large fortune to you, and
thereby hangs a tale. Sedgwick was
proud. When he lived In New York he
was regarded as the kind of man who
never forgave the person who touched
roughly upon his pride. You know, of
course, that your father married Miss
Sedgwick In the face of the most bitter
opposition on the part of Edwin
Brewster. The latter refused to recog*1
nlr.e her as his daughter, practically
disowned his son and heaped the harshest
kind of calumny upon the Sedgwlcks.
It was commonly believed about
town that Jim Sedgwick left the country
three or four years after tnls marriage
for the solo reason that he nud
Edwin Brewster could not live in the
name place. no deep \vn? Ills hatred
or the old man that he fled to escape
killing him. It was known that upon
one occasion he visited the offlce of his
sister's enemy for the purpose of slaying
him. but something prevented. He
curried that hatred to the grave, as
you will see.'*
Montgomery Rrewster was trying to
gither himself together from within
the fog 'which made himself aud the
world unreal.
I believe I'd like to have you read
this eictrnor?tl.e will, Mr. Grant." he
said, with au effort to hold his ucrves
in leash.
Mr. Grant cleared his throat and begun
in his still voice. Once he looked
up to find his listener eager, nn:l again
to And him grown Indifferent. lie wondered
-dimly if this were a pose.
In lirlef, the last will of James T.
Sedgwick bequeathed everything, real
ami personal, of which he died possessed
to his only nephew, Montgomery
Rrewster of New York, son of Robert
ami I.oulse Sedgwick Rrewster. Supplementing
this all important clause
there was a set of conditions governing
the final disposition of the estate.
i ?
ster's
ions I
GE BARR MCUTCHEON
RICHARD GREAVES)
' *
possess nothing nt the.eml of the year
which might he regarded ns a "visible
or Invisible asset;" that he make uo
endowments; that he give sparingly to
charity; that he neither lend nor give
away money, for fear that It might be
restored to him later; that he live on
the principle which Inspires a man to
"get his money's worth." be the expenditure
great or small. As these
conditions were prescribed for but a
single year. In the life of the heir, it
was evident that Mr. Sedgwick did not
Intend to impose any restrictions after
the property had gone into his hands.
"How do yon like it?" asked Mr.
Grant as lie passed the will to Brewster.
The latter took the putter nml glanced
over It with the air of one who hud
heard lint hud not fully grasped its
meaning.
"It must he a Joke, Mr. Grant," he
said, still groping with ditllculty
through the fog,
"No. Mr. Brewster, it Is absolutely
genuine. Here Is a tplegram from the
probate court In Sedgwick's home county,
received in response to u query
from us. It says that the will Is to
be hied for probate and that Mr. Sedgwick
was many times a millionaire.
This statement, which he calls an Inventory,
enumerates his holdings and
their value, and the footing shows $G,G4ri,000
in round numbers. The investments,
you see, arc gilt edged. There
Is not a bad penny in all those millions."
"Well, It Is rather staggering, isn't
it?" said Montgomery, pusslng his hand
over his forehead. He was beginning
to comprehend.
"In more ways than one. What are
you going t& do about It?"
"Do about It?" Jn surprise. "Why,
It's mine, isu't it?"
"It is not yours until next September."
the lawyer quietly said.
"Well, I fancy I can wait," said
Brewster, with a smile that cleared the
air.
"But, my dear fellow, you are already
the possessor of a million. Do you
forget that you are exi>ected to bo
penniless a year from now?"
"Wouldn't you exchauge a million
for seven millions. Mr. Grant?"
"But let me inquire how you purpose
doing It?" asked Mr. Grant mildly.
"Why, l>y the simple process of destruction.
Don't you suppose I can get
rid of a million In a year? Great
Scott, who wouldn't do -it! All I have
to do is to cut a few purse strings, and
there is but one natural conclusion.
I don't mind being n puuper for a few
hours on the 23d of next September."
"That Is your plan, then?"
"Of course. First I shall substantiate
all that this will sets forih. When
I am assured that there can be no possibility
of mistake in the extent of this
fortune and my undisputed claim I'll
take steps to get rid of my grandfather's
million in short order." Brewster's
voice rang true now. The zest
of life was coming back.
Mr. Grant leaned forward slowly, and
his intent, penetrating gaze served as a
^lin/.lr ?!.? - 41 1
VUVVA iw IIIU ;uuu^ ICIIVH 19 trillllUHUtSllJ.
"I admire and approve the sagacity
which urges you to exchange a paltry
million for a fortune, but it seeuis to
me that you are forgetting the conditions,"
he said slowly. "Has it occurred
to you that it will be no easy task
to spend a million dollars without in
some way violating the restrictions in
your uncle's will, thereby losing both
fortunes?"
CHAPTER V.
ANEW point of view gradunlly
came to Brewster. All his
life had been spent in wondering
how to get enough
money to pay his bills, and it had not
occurred to him that it might l>e as
diiilcult to spend as to acquire wealth.
The thought staggered him for a moment.
Til A he cried triumphantly, "I
can decline to accept grandfather's million."
"You cannot decline to accept what is
already yours. I understand that the
money has been paid to you by Mr.
Busklrk. You have a million dollars,
Mr. Bewster, and it cannot be denied."
"You are right," agreed Montgomery
dejectedly. "Really, Mr. Grant, this
proposition is too much for me. If you
nrep't required to give an Immediate
answer I want to thluk it over. It
bouiius 11 kc a areuui."
"It Is 110 dream, Mr. Brewster," smiled
the lawyer. "You are fnce to face
with an amazing reality. Come in tomorrow
morning and see me again.
Think It over; study It out. Remember
the conditions of the will and the
conditions that confront you. In the
meantime I shall write to Mr. Jones,
the executor, and learn from hliu Just
what he expects you to do In order to
carry out his own conception of the
terms of your uncle's will."
"Don't write, Mr. Grant; telegraph.
And ask him to wire his reply. A year
Is not very long in an affair of this
kind." A moment later he added:
"llang these family feuds! Why
couldn't Uncle James have relented a
-bit? Ho brings endless trouble on my
Innocent head Just because of a row
before I was bopc"
"He was a strange man. As a rule,
one does not carry grudges quite so
fart Rut that Is neltheg here nor there,
I nis will Is law In this Jesse."
"Suppose I succeed lf*i gpeadlBf All
but 11 thousand dollars' iofore the 28d
or next September! I1 ose tbe seven
millions and be tbe, ft thing to A
pauper. That woulAh'tIr^^ulte like
getting uiy money's' worth."\\ v
"It is a problem, my boy. Thih*.
over very seriously ?>cfore you come
(o a decision one way or the other. Jit
the meantInic we can establish Wyoiid
u doubt tbe accuracy of this inventory."
"By nil means go ahead, and pleuse
urge Mr. Jones not to be too hard on
< uie. I believe I'll risk It If the restrictions
arc not too severe. But If Jones
has puritanical Instincts 1 might as
well give up hope and be satisfied with
what 1 have."
"Mr. Jones Is very far from what
you'd call puritanical, but he Is In-,
tensely practical and clear headed. He
will undoubtedly require you to keep
au expense account and to show some
sort of reeelnt fnr ovnrv
V T VlVIIUi J VW
disburse."
"(?o?h1 Lord! Itemize?"
"In n general way, I presume."
"I'll have ..to employ an army of
spendthrifts to devise ways and mean's
for proiligaey."
"You forget the item which restrains
you from taking anybody into your
confidence concerning tl?l? matter.
Think it over. It may not be so dillicult
after a night's sleep."
"If it isn't too difficult to get the
night's sleep."
All the rest of the day Brewster
wandered about as one in a dream.
lie held up llic little sheet of paper rucfull
i/.
lie was preoccupied and puzzled, and
more than one of his old associates, receiving
a dlstunt nod in passing, resentfully
concluded that his wealth
was beginning to chaugc him. Ills
brain was so full of statistics, figures
and computations that it whirled dizzily,
and once he narrowly escaped being
run dawn by n street car. He dined
alone at n small French restaurant In
one of the side streets. The waiter
marveled at the amount of black coffee
the young mail consumed and looked
hurt when he did not touch the quail
and lettuce.
That night the little table In his room
at Mrs. Qray's was littered with scraps
of pad paper, each covered with an
iii(.-umiiriMiuiiMu>ie maze or ngures. After
dinner be had gone to bis own
rooms, forgetting that be lived on Fifth
I avenue. Until long after midnight bo
smoked and calculated and dreamed.
For the first time the Immensity of
that million thrust Itself upon him. If
on thnt very day, Oct. 1, he were
to begin the task of spending it he
would have but 3.">7 days lu which to
accomplish the end. Taking the round
sum of $1,000,000 as n basis, it was
an easy matter to calculate his nver,
uge dally disbursement. The sltuution
did not look so utterly impossible until
he held up the little sheet of paper and
ruefully contemplated the result of
that simple problem in mathematics.
It meant an average daily expenditure
of $2,801.12 for nearly a year, and
even then there would be 10 cents left
over, for in providing the result of his
rough sum in division he could account
for hut $900,000.84. "Then it occurred
to him that his money would
be drawing interest at the bank.
"But for each day's $2,801.12 I am
getting seven times us much," he soliloquized
as he finally got into bod.
"Thnt means $10,007.84 a day, u clear
profit of $10,800.72. That's pretty good
?yes, too good. I wonder If the bank
couldn't oblige me by not charging Interest
V"
The figures kept adding and subtracting
themselves as he dozed off, and
once during the night be dreamed that
Swearengcu Junes luul sentenced lilm
to eat n million dollars' worth of game
and salad ut the French restaurant,
lie awoke with the consciousness that
he had cried aloud, "I can do It, but a
year is not very long In an affair of
| this kind."
It was 9 o'clock when Brewster Anally
rose, and after his tub he felt ready
to cope with any problem, even a sub
stantlnl breakfast. A message had
come to him fnrtn Mr. (Irant of Grant
& Itlpley, nnnounclAg the receipt of Important
dispatches from Montana and
asking him to luncheon at 1. He had
! time to spare, aud as Margaret and
Mrs. Gray had gone out he telepltoned
Ellis to take his horse to the entrance
' to the park at once. The crisp autfltnn
1 air was i>erfect for his ride, aud Brewster
found a number of smart people
already riding nnd driving In the park.
Ills horse was keen for a canter, and
1 he had reached the obelisk before be
drew rein. As he was about to cross
the carriage road he was nearly run
1 down by Miss Drew in her new French
automobile.
"I beg your pardon," she cried.
"You're the third person I've run Into,
> so you see I'm not discriminating
> against you."
. "I should be .flattered even, to be run
saMMfegggs- I I '
down by you.'*
"Very well, then, look out." Anil she
started tho machine 09 If to charge
lilm. She stopped In time and said,
with a Inugh: "Your gallantry deserves
a reward. Wouldn't you rather send
^^dT/borse home and come for a ride
I ^jn ioiiu is waiting at Fifty-ninth
fftrjR. If you'll coiuc that far I'll go
wlflP|?tcn?mre."
Monty had merely a society acquaintance
wltli Miss Drew. Ho had met her
at dinners and dances as be had a host
<of other girls, but she had Impressed
him more than the others. Something
indescribable took place every time
their eyes met. Monty had often wondered
Just what that something meant,
but he hail always realized that it had
iu it nothing of platouic affection.
"If I didn't have to meet her eyes,"
lie had said to himself, "I could go on
discussing even politics with her, but
the moment she looks at me 1 know she
can see what I'm thinking nbout."
From the first they considered themselves
very good friends, anil after
their third meeting It seemed perfectly
natural that they should call one anI
other hv their
- ,?- -- ... ov uauics. .uouiy
knew he was trending on dangerous
ground. It never occurred to liliu to
wonder what Barbara might think of
)ilm. lie took It as a matter of course
that she must feel more than friendly
toward liiin. As they rode through the
maze of carriages they l>owed frequently
to friends as they \)i\xh(h1.
They were conscious that some of the
women, noticeably old Miss Dexter,
actually turned around and gazed at
them.
"Aren't you afraid people will talk
ubout us?" asked Monty, with a laugh.
"Tulk about our riding together in
the park? It's just as safe here as it
would be in Fifth avenue. Besides,
who eares? I fancy we can stand it."
"You're a thoroughbred, Barbara. 1
simply di?lii't want you talked about.
When I go too far, say the word and
drop me."
"I have a luncheon at 2, but until
then we have our ride."
Monty gasped and looked at his
watch. "Five minutes to 1!" he cried.
The matter of his engagement with the
attorney had quite escaped him. In
the exhilaration of Miss Drew's companionship
lie had forgotten even I'dc|?
James' millions.
yTve got a Unto at 1 that means life
(1 death to me. Would you mind
taking me down to llic nearest elevated?or?here,
let me run it."
Almost before Barbara was aware
of what was happening they had changed
places, and the machine, under Monty's
guidance, was tearing over the
ground.
"Of all the casual people!" said the
girl, by no means uuequal to the excitement.
"I believe you're kidnaping
me."
But wheu she saw the grim look on
Monty's face and one policeman after
another warned hlni she became seriously
alarmed. "Monty Brewster, this
pace is positively dangerous."
"Perhaps It is," he responded, "but If
they haven't sense enongh to keep out
of the way tLey shouldn't kick If they
get run over."
"I don't menu the people or the automobiles
or traps or trees or monumeuts,
Monty. I mean you and me. I
know we'll either be killed or arrested."
"This isn't anything to the gait I'll
be going if everything turns out as 1
expect. Don't be worried. Bill>8. Besides,
It's 1 now. Lord, 1 didn't dream
it was so late!"
"Is your appointment so important ?"
she'naked, hanging on.
"^Vell, I should say it is, and?look
out, you blooming idiot! Do you want
to get killed?" The last remark was
hurled back at an indignant pedestrian
who had escaped destruction by
the merest chance.
"Here we are," he said as they drew
up beside the entrance to the elevated.
"Thanks awfully?you're a corker?sor
'
"TFTiot have you heard from Montana
t"
ry to leave you this way. I'll tell you
all about It later. You're a dear to
help ine keep my appointment."
"Seems to me you helped yourself,"
she cried after him as he darted up
the steps. "Come up for tea some day
and tell me who the lady Is."
After he had gone Miss Drew turned
to her chauffeur, who was in the tonneau;
then she laughed unrestrainedly,
and the faintest shadow of a grin
stole over the man's face.
"Reg pardon, miss," he said, "but
I'd "taqik Mr. Brewster against Fournler
anjr\lay."
Only half an hour late, Brewster entered
fffewflftee of Messrs. Grant & Ripley,
flushed, eager and unconscious of
the big splotch of mud that decorated
his cheek.
"Awfully sorry to have kept you
waiting," he apologized.
"Sherlock Holmes would say that
ypu_ had. b$enjlrjklng? B/ewsbjjr."
said Mr. lUpJey, shaking the'young
man's band.
"He would miss It. Mr. Hip".?y. I've
beeu flying. What have ; <u lieard
from Montana!" lie could . ? longer
check the impatient questl.?a. which
came out so suddenly that the attorneys
laughed Irresistibly. Itrewster
joining them an instant later. They
laid before him a lialf dozen telegrams,
responses from bankers, lawyers and
mine operators In Montana. These
messages established beyond doubt the
extent of James T. Sedgwlek's wealth.
It was reported to be even greater
than shown by the actual figures.
"And what does Mr. Jones say?" demanded
Montgomery.
"Ilis reply resembles a press dispatch.
lie has tried to make himself
thoroughly clear, and If there is anything
left unsaid It is past our comprehension.
I am sorry to inform you,
though, that he has paid the telegraph
charges," said Mr. Grant, smiling
broadly.
"Is ho rational about it?" asked
jumifjouii'ry nervously.
Mr. (irant Rave his pnrtnor a quick,
significant glance and then drew from
Ids desk the voluminous telegram from
Swearengen Jonea. It was as follows:
Oct. 2.
Orant & Ripley, Yucatan Building', Now
York:
I am to be sole referee tn this matter.
You are retained as my agents, heir to
report to me through you weekly. One
desire of uncle was to forestall grandfather's
bequest. I shall respect that desire.
Knforco terms rigidly. He was my
best friend and (nmkrd me with disposition
of all this money. Shall attend to n
sacredly. Heir must get rid of money left
to him In given time. Out of respect to
memory of uncle he must take no one
Into his confidence. Don't want world to
think S. was a fool. He wasn't. Here are
rules I want him to work under: 1. No
reckless gambling. 2. No Idiotic board of
trade speeulatlon. 3. No endowments to
Institutions of any character, because
their memory would be an Invisible asset.
4. No Indiscriminate giving away of
funds. By that I don't mean him to be
stingy. I hate a stingy man, and so did
J. T. S. 5. No more than ordinary dissipation.
I hate a saint. So did J. T. S.
And both of us sowed an oat or two. C. No
excessive donations to charity. If he
gives as other millionaires do I'll let It
go at that. Don't believe charity should
be spoiled by Indulgence. It Is not easy
to spend a million, and 1 won't be unreasonable
with him. Let him spend It freely,
but not foolishly, and get his money's
worth out of it. If he does that I'll consider
him a good business man. I regard
It foolish to tip waiter more than dollar,
and car porter does not deserve over live.
He does not earn more than one. If heir
wants to try for this big stake, he'd better
begin quick, because he might slip up
If he waits until day of Judgment. It's loss
than year off. Luck to him. Will write
you more fully. S. JONES.
"Write more fully!" echoed Montgomery.
"What can there be left to
write about?"
"He Is explicit." said the attorney,
"but it is best to know all the conditions
before you decide. Ilavc you
made up your mind?"
Brewster sat silent for a long time,
staring hard at the floor. A great
struggle was going ou in his mind.
"It's a gamble, and a big one," he
said at last, squaring his shoulders,
"but I'll take it. I don't want to appear
disloyal to my grandfather, but
I think that even he would advise nie
to accept. Yes, you may write Mr.
Jones that I accept the chance."
The attorneys complimented him on
his nerve and wished him succeas.
Brewster turned, with a smile.
"I'll begin by nsking what you think
a reasonable fee for an attorney in
a case of this kind. I hope you will
act for me."
"You don't want to spend it nil in
a lump, do you?" asked Mr. Grant,
smiling. "We can hardly act as counsel
for both you and Mr. Jones."
"But I must have a lawyer, and the
will limits the number of my confidants.
What am I to do?"
hu win consult Air. jonos m regard
to the question. It Is not regular,
you see, but I apprehend no legal difficulties.
We cannot accept fees from
both sides, however," said Mr. (Irant.
"But I want attorneys who are willing
to help me. It won't be a help if
you decline to accept my money."
"We'll resort to arbitration," laughed
Ripley,
Be.orc night Montgomery Brewster
began a career that would have
startled the world had the facts been
known. With true loynltj* to the Little
Sons of the Rich, he asked his
friends to dinner and opened their
eyes.
"Champagne!" cried Harrison as
they were seated at table. "I can't
remember the last time I bad champagne."
"Naturally," laughed Subway Smith.
"You couldn't remember nuytblnft after
that."
As the dinner progressed Brewster
explained that he intended to double
his fortune within a year. "I'm going
to have some fun, too," he said,
"and you boys are ^o help me."
Nopper Harrison was employed as
"superintendent of affairs," Klon Gardner
as financial secretary, Joe Bragdon
na nrlt*nto oaosAtosf c?........
MO I'iifuiv ov\ & CIU1 ouinvu^y PlllllII
as counsel, and there were places In
view for the other members.
"I want the smartest apartment you
can find, Nop per," ho commanded.
"Don't stop at expense. Have Pcttinglll
redecorate It from top to bottom.
Get the best servants you can find.
I'm going to live, Nopper, and bang
the consequences."
CHAPTER VI.
A FORTNIGHT later Montgomery
Brewster had a new home.
In strict obedience to his
k chiefs command, Nopper Harrison
had leased until the September
following one of the inost expensive
apartments to he found in New
York city. The rental was $23,000,
and the shrewd financial representative
had saved $1,000 for his employer j
by paying the sum in advance. But
when he reported this bit of economy I
to Mr. Brewster he was surprised that '
It brought forth a frown. "I never saw j
a man who had less sense about 111011eyt"
^muttered Nopper. Jy.. hiyiaolf.
"TThy, ho spends it like ft Ohtcngo'nlllionalrc
trying to Rot Into New York
.society. If it were not for the rest of
us lieM be a pauper in six months."
Paul Pettinglll, to Ills own intense
surprise anil, it must he an hi, consternation,
was engaged to redecorate
certain rooms according to a plan suggested
by the tenant. The rising young
artist iu a great flurry of excitement
agreed to do the work for $300 ami
then blushed like a schoolgirl when he
was informed by the practical Brewster
that the paints anil material for
oue room alone would cost twice as
much.
"Petty, you have no more idea of
business than a goat," criticised Montgomery.
And Paul lowered his head in
humble confession. "That man who
calcimines your studio could figure on
a piece of work with more intelligent-*
than you reveal. I'll pay $2,500. It's
oillv 11 fillr nrlm nn.l T -*r
? ? ? uu a. VUH L 411L U1U
anything cheap in this place."
"At this rate yon won't l?o able t ?
afford anything," said I'ettingill to
himself.
And so it was that Pettingill and a
corps of decorators soon turned the
rooms into a confusion of scaffoldings
and paint buckets, out of which in the
end emerged something very distinguished.
No one had ever thought
rcttlnglll deficient In ideas, and this
was his opportunity. The only drawhack
was the time limit which Brewster
so remorselessly fixed. Without
that he felt that he could have done
something splendid in the way of decorative
? nmethlng that would
make even the glory of Puvls do Cbavannes
turn pallid. With it he was
obliged to curb his turbulent Ideas,
and he decided that a rich simplicity
was the proper note. The result was
gorgeous, but not too gorgeous?It had
depth and distinction.
Elated and eager, he assisted Brewster
In selecting furniture and hangings
O.'l/'ll !...# -? -* *
? .-.v.. .wwiu, mil lie U1U UOt
know that his employer was making
conditional purchases of everything.
Mr. Itrewster had agreements with all
the dealers to the effeet that they wero
to buy everything back at a fair price
if ho desired to give up his establishment
within a year. lie adhered to this
rule In all cases that called for the
purchase outright of substantial necessities.
The bump of calculativeness
in Monty Brewster's head was growing
to abnormal proportions.
In retaining his rooms at Mrs. Gray's
he gave the flimsy but pathetic excuse
that he wanted a place In which ho
might llnd occasional seasons of peace
and quiet. When Mrs. Gray protested
against this useless bit of extravagance
his grief was so obviously genuine
that her heart was touched, nnd
there was a deep, fervent joy In her
soul. She loved this fair faced boy,
and tears of happiness came to her
eyes when she was given this new
proof of his loyalty and devotion. IBs
rooms were kept for him just as If he
hnd expected to occupy them every day
and every night, notwithstanding Ihe
luxurious apartments he was to maintain
elsewhere. The Oliver Optic
books still lay In the attic, all tattered
nnd torn, but to Margaret the embodiment
of prospective riches, promises ofl
sweet hours to come. She knew Monty
well enough to feel that he would
not forgot the dark little attic of old
for all the splendors tnat mignt come
with the new dispensation.
There was no little surprise when he
sent out invitations for a large dinner.
Ills grandfather had boon dead less
than a month, and society was somewhat
scandalized by the plain symptoms
of disrespect he was showing. Xo
one had expected him to observe a prolonged
season of mourning, but that
he should disregard the "formalities
completely was rather shoeing. Some
of the older people, who had not long
to live and who had heirs npparent,
openly denounced his heartlessness. It
was not very gratifying to think of
what might he in store for them If all
memories were as short as Brewster's.
Old Mrs. Ketcliell changed her will,
and two nephews were cut off entirely.
A very modest and impecunious
grandson of Joseph Garrity also was
to sustain a severe change of fortune
in the near future if the cards spoke
correctly. Judge Van Woort, who was
not expected to live through the night,
got better immediately after hearing
some one in the sickroom whisper that
Montgomery Brewster was to give a
uig iimner. muurauy rue ueirs-ro-De
condemned young Brewster In no uncertain
terms.
Nevertheless the dinner to be given
by the grandson of old Edwin Peter
Brewster was the talk of the town, and
not one of the sixty Invited guests
could have been persuaded to miss It,
Reports as to its magnificence were
abroad long before the night set for
the dinner. One of them bad It that It
was to cost $:>.ooo a plate. From that
figure the legendary price receded to
a mark as low us $500, Montgomery
would have been only too glad to pay
$3,000 or- moro, but some mysterious
force conveyed to bis mind a perfect
portrait of Swearengen Jones in the
net of putting down a large black mark
against him, and lie forborf.
[TO BE CONTINUED.] j
PERT PARAGRAPHS.
Some people are to the manner born,
and some are elected to the city council
by tbelr constituents.
??.. fa A There are peopic
who really
\15l7* don't know
jy!j\ whether tliey
gyr-y.g.i; ][ ytf like work or not.
It being so long
1 r rt~i ;iM since they indnlged
In It.
Many are called, but few arise until
tho very last minute.
It Is more blessed to receive than ta
be turned down.