The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1905-12-29

ia society. He had dropped cid friends
and cultivated men In whom he felt
no real interest: no had been errand
boy for the matrons and cavalier fof
the buds: he had Joined more clubs
than he could AFFORD and had pfnched
In many ways to make up for the ex.
pcnditures. He had told countless
stories Of his life at Harvard. but ever
spoke Of his family In Dakota. He had
often referred to incidents Of his trip
abroad. without limiting that he had
been tutor to a rich youth: he had told
dreamy tales Of q winter In Mexico.
carefully c~oncealing the fact that he
had been assistant to an invalid archi.
tcct. He had talked wittily Of plays
and operas. gathering his ideas from
the daily papers rather than from OBJ
%servation Indeed, he had done every.
thing In his power to seem a man Of
the world and = favorite In society.
And now-when he had thought his
position assured-when he had
dreamed OF spending John L.ittle's mil.
lions with perfect taste and passing his
days In an atmosphere Of wealth and
leisure with the grace OF one TO the
manner born" he found that he did
not seen TO belong anywhere" and
was to be given n New Years dinner
out Of charity. while little Charlie LET.
fngwell, who never managed to get be.
yond his freshman year at Yale. whose
only accomplishment was driving m
automobile and whose n aim In life
was to Increase his already large for.
tune. was 20 share the Little millions.
and "the boys" would no doubt laugh
behind his back because he. Bcrtram
wingate. had angled for them In vain.
Tho whole shallow mockery. which
lay bare 20 Others. for the first time
seemed thoroughly contemplate 10
him. Angry teais simartcd In his eyes
and his hands were clenehed In his
pockets with a fierce determination to
win an cnylable position withou, the
help Of society; 10 live n life too busy
for the tolerant patronage Of women
or the amused contempt Of men.
liz had walked for nearly an hou,
before no became conscious that his
feet were numb with cold and his face
no longer felt the sting Of the sleet
Pausing %irrcsolutoly 10 get his bearing.
before seeking the nearest car line. he
stood for n moment in n shaft OF lieh,
from the window OF a pretty cottage.
A young girl. turning briskly "a
enter the house. exclaimed: so you
have really some TO see Us at last This
II the place. Come right In. You'
mother said she would write and tell
you We were here, but We thought sh,
had forgotten. Mabel Is teaching. I'm
going to tho conservatory. Bob's IN
business college and fathers got 4
good job buying wheat for the Consol
dated why haven, you been TO SOC
us htfore?"
wlnga,a murmurcd something about
h"lus very busy, rs he mcckly followed
tho glrl into the house.
Il suppose you're always busy" com
mcntcd tho girl kindly. out this wa,
on some building I guess? l hope yoI
haven't been 10 dinner.
Mother. here's Bcrtram Winea'e
He was out this way and has looked NJ
NIf VA NAlIs hNAt'AAbk NAhHNhN a.
the CHEEKY sitting room.
He WIS thankful for the easily ~
sumed e, plantations and glad TO follow
the girl ilto the cosy room. Mrs, Whit
comb crested him heartily and th'
whole family gathered about him
pressing him TO stay and asking new
OF his people. There was an air o
pleasant affection and a Difference 10
his accomplishments which was sooth
Ing to his wounded vanity.
When he took his departure, Mrs
whitcomo said. kindly, Cant yo'
spend New Years with us. Bcrtram'
1T would be real charity on You
part II may" said wingate. dushinl
warmly at the thought Of the othe
charity dinner he had expected TO eat
: Its nice OF you TO speak that wa,
y Bertram,' said Mrs. whi,comb, strok
:. ing his sleeve, but you know the pleas
, ure will be ours In having n frien
!, from the old Dakota home to share Tn
, day with us"
The New Years dinner was by n
means the last which Bertram VIII
gate ate In the little cottage.
In the spring Molly, the irrepress
BILE, wrote to her Dakota confdani'
, Mabel and Bertram wingate ar
going together q good deal. lie isn't
bit stuck up ~ some Of the Dakot
people used to say he was. Father say
; he has drawn the plans for nearly q
n the big buildings to be put NJ thi
n summer. II he's going to be my br'
t~her.in-law. I hope hsll plan a cut
little house for Mabel think motht