Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-08-17

pleasure, and no one would have sus.
pected that even for q moment her
courage wavered.
Now that Brewster had come into
bis splendid fortune he could conceive
no greater delight than to share 1t
with them. To walk into the little
drawing room and serenely lay large
sums before them az their own seemed
such q natural proceeding that he re.
fused to see an obstacle. But he knew
1t was there. The prefer Of such a
gift to Mrs. Gray would mean
wound to the pride Inherited from
naughty generations Of men sufficient
unto themselves. There was a small
but troublesome mortgage on the
house. q matter Of two or three thou.
sand dollars, and Brewster tried to
evolve plan by which he could as.
sumo the burden without giving deep
and lasting Offense. A hundred wild
designs had come to him, but they
were quickly relegated to the growing
heap Of subterfuges and pretexts con-
demned by his tenderness for the pride
OF these two women who meant so
much to him.
Leaving the bank, he FASTENED by
electric car to Fortieth street and
broadway and then walked eagerly off
into the street of the numeral. He had
not yet come to the point where he felt
like scorning the cars even though a
roll OF bank notes was tucked snugly
away In a pocket that seemed to swell
with sudden atliuence. Old Hendrick,
faithful servitor through two genera
tions, was sweeping the autumn leaves
from the sidewalk when Montgomery
came up to the house.
Hello. Hendrick!" was the young
mans CHEEKY greeting. mice lot of
leaves you have there"
"So?" ebbed from Hendrick. who did
not even so much as look up from his
work. Hendrick was human clam.
"Mrs. Gray in?'
A grunt that slgnified yes.
you're as loQuacious as ever, Hen.
drick."
A mere nod.
! Brewster let himself in with his own
latchkey. threw his hat on chair and
unceremoniously bolted into the libra.
| ry. Margaret was seated near win.
dow. book in her lap. The first evi.
dence Of unbiased friendship he had
seen in days shone in her smile. She
took his hand and said simply, I'VE are
glad to welcome the prodigal to his
home again."
II remind myself more of the fatted
calf"
Her first self consciousness had gone.
Il thought Of that. but l didn't dare
say It," she laughed. "One must be
respectful to rich relatives"
Hang your rich relatives, Peggy
II I thought that this money would
make any difference would give it up
this minute"
Nonsense. Monty" she said. How
could 1t make a difference? But you
must admit 1t is rather startling The
friend of our youth leaves his humble
dwelling Saturday night with his sal
airy drawn for two weeks ahead. He
returns the following Thursday daz.
cling millionaire
I'm glad I've begun to dazzle any.
way. thought it might be hard to
look the part 80.
well. can't see that you are much
changed" There was suggestion Of n
quaver in her. voice. and the shadows
did not prevent him from seeing the
quick mist that fitted across her deep
eyes.
"After all. it's easy work being a mil.
lionaire." he explained. "when you've
always had million dollar inclinations."
''And City cent possibilities, she
added.
Really. though, I'll never get as
much Joy dpt of my abundant riches
as I did out of financial embarrass-
ments."
But think how fine it is. Monty, not
ever to wonder where your winters
overcoat is to come from and how
long the coal will last and all that"
ooh, never wondered about my
overcoats. The tailor did the wonder
ing. But wish could 90 on living
here Just as before. Id heap rather
live here than at that gloomy place on
the avenue"
"That sounded like the things you
used to say when we played In the
garrett. You'd q heap sooner do this
than that, don't you remember"
That's just why I'd rather live here.
Peggy. Last night l fell to thinking of
that old garnet, and hanged If some.
thing didn't come up and stick in my
throat so tight that l wanted to cry.
How long has it been since we played
up there? Yes. and how long has 1t
been since read Oliver Optic to you,
lying there In the garret window while
you sat with your back against the
wall, your blue eyes as big as dollars? p
"Oh, dear me. Monty. it was ages
} ago-twelve or thirteen years. at
least" she cried, u soft light In her
eyes.
"rm going up there this afternoon to
see what the place is like he said ca
gerly. And, Peggy. you must come
too. Maybe l can find one of those
Optic books. aud Well be young
again."
"Just for old times sake" she said
impulsively. you'll stay for luncheon
too"
, "I'll have to be at the-nO, / won't
. either Do you know. was thinking
had to be at the bank Mt 1890 to let
Mr.. Perkins 90 out for something to