The San Francisco call., 1903-09-06
n " II.
TIE NEW nENnERE FOOT

Brewster was comparatively we'll and
strong when he returned to New York In
March His illness had interfered extern
sively with his plan of campaign and II
was imperative that he redouble his ef
forts, Notwithstanding the manifest dis
may of his friends. His first act was to
call upon Grant & Ripley, from whom he
hoped to learn what Swearengen Jones
thought of his methods. The lawyers had
heard no complaint from Montana, and
advised him TO continue as he had begun,
assuring him, far as they could, that
Jones would not prove unreasonable.
An exchange Of kilograms just before
his operation had renewed Monty's dread
OF his eccentric mentor.
NEW YORK, Jan. q, 1e-
ewearengen Jones. Butte. Mont: How about
having my life insured2 Would II violate con-
ditions? MONTGOMERY BREWSTER.
To MONTGOMERY Brewster New York: Seems
TO me your life would become an asset In that
Der %? JONES.
To swearenEen Jones. Butte. Mont: On the
contrary I think life will be a debt by that
time MONTGOMERY BREWSTER.
To MONTGOMERY Brewster, New York: II
you feel that & way about it, advise Ts, you to
To swearengen Jones, Butte, Mont: Dc
you think that amount would cover funeral
expensesi MONTGOMERY BREWSTER.
TO Montgomery Brewster. New York: You
that JONES.
The invitations for the second ball had
been out for some time and the prepara-
tons were nearly complete when Brews-
ter arrived upon the scene Of festivity. 1t
did not surprise him that several old-time
friends should hunt him up and protest
vigorously against the course he was pur-
suing. Nor did IT surprise him when he
found that his presence was not essential
to the success Of some other affair as 1t
had once been. He was not greeted as
cordially as before, and he grlmly won
dered how many of his friends would
stand true to the end. The uncertainty
made him turn more and more often to
the unquestioned loyalty Of Peggy Gray,
and her little library saw him more fire.
Quently than for months.
Much as he had dreaded the pretentious
and resplendent ball, it was useful to him
in one way at least. The profit" side OF
his ledger account was enlarged and in
that there was room for secret satisfac-
ton. The Viennese orchestra struggled
into New York, headed by Elon Gardner
a physical wreck, in time to make har-
moniOus farewell appearance behind
Brewster's palms, which caused his guests
TO wonder why the American pubic could
not appreciate the real thing. A careful
summing up Of the expenses and receipts
proved that the tour had been bonanza
lOE bIehSAtL llt net lOSS hdA llltl6
more than $685. ,0O0 When this story became
known about town everybody laughed
pityingiy and poor Gardner was almost
in tears when he tried to explain the DIS
aster TO the man who lost the money. But
Monty's sense of humor, singularly
enough, did not desert him on this trying
occasion.
Esthetically the ball proved to be the
talk of more than one season. HettingIll
had Justified his desire for md
made a name which would last. He had
taken matters into his own hands while
Brewster was in Florida, and changed
the period from the Spain of Velasquez to
France and Louis Quinze. After the
cards were out he remembered. to his
CONSERVATION, that the favors purchased
for the Spanish ball would be entirely in
appropriate for the French one He wired
Brewster at once of this misfortune and
was astonished at the nonchalance of his
reply. But then Monty always was a
good Sort" he thought, with a glow of
affection. The new plan was more costly
than the old, for it was no simple matter
TO build Versailles suite at Sherrys
Pettingill was no imitator but he created
an effect which was superbIy in keeping
with the period he had chosen. Against it
the rich costumes, with their 'accompant-
ment Of wigs and powdered hair, shone
out resplendent. With great difficulty the
artist had secured for Monty a costume
in white satin and gold brocade,
which might have once adorned
the person of Louis himself 1t
made him feel like popinjay land ii was
with infinite relief that he took It off an
hour or so after dawn. He knew that
things had gone WELL that even Mrs Dan
was satisfied: but the whole affair made
him heartsick. Behind the compliments
laVished upon him he detected a note of
irony, which revealed the laughter that
went on behind his back. He had not