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

He was pre0ccupied and puzzled, ana
more than one Of his old associates. re-
reiving a distant nod III passing. re-
sentfully concluded that his wealth
was beginning to change him. His
brain was so full Of statistics. figures
and computations that it whrlcd diz
zily. and once he narrowly escaped be-
ing run down by street car. He dined
alone at small French restaurant In
one Of the side streets. The waiter
marveled at the amount ofblack coffee
the young man consumed and looked
hurt when he did not touch the quail
and lettuce.
That night the little table in bis room
ut Mrs Gray's was Uttered with scraps
Of pad paper, each covered with au
lHcomprchsnsibls maze Of figures. Aft
or dinner he had gone to his own
rooms. forgetting that he lived on Fifth
avenue. Until long after midnight he
smoked and calculated and dreamed.
For the first time the immensely Of
that million thrust itself upon him. If
OH that very day, Oct. I. he were
to begin the task Of spending 1t he
would have but 357 days in which to
accomplish the end. Taking the round
sum of $1,000,0OO as a basis, 1t was
an easy matter to calculate his aver
age daily disbursement. The situation
did not look so utterly impossible until
he held up the little sheet of paper and
ruefuly contemplated the result Of
that simple problem in mathematics.
1t meant an average daily expendi.
ture of $2.S01.12 for nearly year, and
even then there would be 16 cents left
over, for in providing the result of his
rough sum in division he could ac-
count for but $685., 999S4. Then 1t oc-
Cured to him that his money would
be drawing interest at the bank.
"But for each days $2,601.12 I am
getting seven times as much" he so
liloquized as he finally got into bed.
THAT means $1o.6O7 "a a day. clear
profit of $16.SO6.72. That's pretty good
yes, too good. I wonder if the bank
couldn't oblige me by not charging in
terest?'
The figures kept adding and subtract.
ing themselves as he dozed off. and
once during the night he dreamed that
Swearengen Jones had sentenced him
to eat q million dollars worth OF game
and salad at the French restaurant.
He awoke with the consciousness that
he had cried aloud, Il can do it, but
year is not very long In an affair Of
this kind"
1t was o'clock when Brewster final.
~ rose. and after his tub he felt ready
to cope with any problem, even a sub.
stantial breakfast. A message had
come to him from Mr.. Grant Of Grant
e. Ripley, announcing the receipt of i'm
portant dispatches from Montana and
asking him to luncheon at 1. He had
time to spare, and as Margaret and
Mrs. Gray had gone out he telephoned
Ellis to take his horse to the entrance
to the park at once. The crisp autumn
air was perfect for his ride. and Brew.
ster found number of smart people
already riding and driving in the park.
His horse was keen for n canter, and
he had reached the obeisk before he
drew rein. AS he was about to cross
the carriage road he was nearly run
down by Miss Drew in her new French
automobile.
Il beg your pardon" she cried.
"You're the third person I've run into,
so you see I'm not discriminating
against you"
II should be Hattered even to be run
down by you.''
very WELL then. look out" And she
started the machine as If to charge
him. She stopped in time and said,
with laugh: Your gallantry deserves
q reward. Wouldn't you rather send
your horse home and come for a ride
with me?"
My man is waiting Mt Fifty-ninth
street II you'll come that far III 20
with pleasure"
Monty had merely society acquaint.
ance with Miss Drew. He had met her
at dinners and dances as he 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 won.
dered just what that something meant
but he had always realized that 1t had
In 1t nothing of platonic affection.
IF didn't have to meet her eyes.
he had said to himself, II could 20 or
discussing even politics with her, bu
the moment she looks Mt me know she
can see what I'm thinking about.
From the first they considered them
selves very good friends, and aftel
their third meeting 1t seemed perfectly
natural that they should call one an
other by their first names. MONTY
knew he was treading Oh dangerou,
ground. 1t never occurred to him Il
wonder what Barbara might think O.
him. He took 1t as a matter Of cours,
that she must feel more than friendl,
toward him. As they rode through tn,
maze of carriages they bowed fire
quently to friends as they passed
They were conscious that some of tn,
women. noticeably old Miss Dexter
actually turned around and gaxed q
them.
"Aren't you afraid people will tall
about us?" asked Monty, with laugh
"Talk about our riding together Il
the park? It's just as safe here as
would be in Fifth avenue. Besides
who cares? ! fancy we can stand It,"
you're thoroughbred, Barbara.
simply didn't want you talked about
When ! 20 too far. say the word an
drop me-"
~ have q luncheon at 2. but unit