Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-07-01

u the dIlar SHe re10lceQ ID having
 captured husband worth at least
 $500O0.
 He vied with Brewster in patronizing
 Barbara's booth, and he rushed into
 the conflict with an impetuosity that
 seemed destined to carry everything
 before it. Monty was brushed aside,
 Barbara was pre-empted as if she were mining claim, and ten days after his arrival in New York Grimes was the most talked of man in town Brewster
 was not the sort to be dispatched with out struggle, however. Recognizing Grimes as an obstacle, but not as ri. val, he once more donned his armor and
 beset Barbara with all the zest of champion who seeks to protect and not to conquer. He regarded the Califor- nian as an impostor. and summary ac- tion was necessary T know all about him, Babs," he said one day after he felt sure of his position. Why, his father was honored by the V. c. on the coast in '49."
 "The Victoria cross?" asked Barbara ,innocentiy.
 "No, the vigilance committee"
 In this way Monty routed the enc my and cleared the field before the end of another week. Grimes transferred his objectionable affection, and Barba- ra was not even asked to be wife No. 3. Brewsters campaign was so ardent that he neglected other duties deplora- ply, falling far behind his improyident average. With Grimes disposed of. he once more forsook the battlefield of love and gave his harassed and undi- vided attention to his own peculiar business.
 The fast and loose game displeased Miss Barbara greatly. She was at first surprised, then piqued, then resentful. Monty gradually awoke to the distress ing fact that she was going to be in- ractable, as he put it, and forthwith undertook to smooth the troubled sea. To his amazement and concern, she was not to be appeased.
 Docs it occur to you, Monty" she said, with gentle coldness that was infinitely worse than heat, that you have been carrying things with a pret- ty high hand? Where did you acquire the right to interfere with my privi- leges? You seem to think that I am not to speak to any man but you"
 "Oh, come, now. Babs." retorted Monty, Eve not been quite as un- reasonable as that. And you know yourself that Grimes is the worst kind of bounder."
 T know nothing of the sort" replied [ the lady. with growing irritation. You say that about every man who gives me smile or flower. Does it indi- cate such atrocious taste?"
 Don't be silly. Barbara. You know perfectly well that you have talked to Gardner and that idiot Valentine by the hour and I've not said a word. But there are some things I can't stand, and the impertinence of Grimes Is one of them. love! He looked at you out of those fishy eyes sometimes IS though he owned you. If you knew now many times I've fairly ached to knock him down.
 Inwardly Barbara was weakening a little before his masterfulness. But she gave no sign.
 And it never occurred to you" she aid. with that exasperating coldness of voice, that was equal to the sltua- Ion. I suppose you thought Mir. ! Grimes had only to beckon and I {. would ioyfully answer. I'll have you ,now, Monty Brewster. right now that .
 am quite able to choose my friends md to handle them Mir. Grimes has . haracter. and I like him. He has seen nore of life In a year of his strenuous areer than you ever dreamed of in all our pampered existence. His life has 'een real. Monty Brewster, and yours 5 only an imitation"
 It struck him hard. but it left him entle.
 "Babs." he said softly. q can't take hat from you. You don't really mean l, do you? Am as bad as that?"
 It was a moment for dominance. and Q missed it. His gentleness left her old
 Monty" she exclaimed irritably, you are terribly exasperating Do lake ID your mind that you and your lillion are not the Onl- things in the -orld.r
 His blood was up now, but 1t flung in away from her. Some day perhaps you'll find out at there Is not much besides. am st little too big. for one thing. to be ayed with and thrown aside. I won't and it."
 He left the house with his head high
 the air. angry red in his cheeks d feeling in his heart that she was Q most unreasonable of women. Bar 2 ira in the meantime cried herself to eep. vowing she would never love c onty Brewster again as long as she [ cd. i A sharp cutting wind was blowing in f Dnty's face as he Jeff the house. He IS thoroughly vretched | Throw up your hands-' came arsely from somewhere. and there [ IS Bo tenderness ID the tones. For an h 'tant Monty was dazed and bewil- il red, but In the next he saw two idowy figures walking beside him. g top where ron are. young fellow F s tir- next command. and he stopped Jrt- He was in a mood to fight. bat sr . sight ,F a V..--,fr-,- ,na.ga Es-, .f,s,.t- !