Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-08-24

CHAPTER, VI.
\ FORTNIGHT later Montgomery
"a Brewster had a new home.
In strict obedience to his
q n chiefs command, hopper Har-
rfson had leased until the Septem-
Der following one OF the most expen-
sive apartments to he found in New
York city. The rental was $23, 900,
and the shrewd financial representa-.
tive had saved $1,000 for his employer
by paying the sum in advance. But
when he reported this bit OF economy
to Mr.. Brewster he was surprised that
1t brought forth frown II never saw
man who had less sense about mon
ey," muttered hopper to himself
"Why. he spends it like Chicago mil.
lionaire trying to get into New York
society. II 1t were not for the rest Of
rs he'd be pauper in six months"
Paul Pettingil, to his own intense
surprise and. it must be said. con-
eternation. was engaged to redecorate
certain rooms according to a plan sug-
gested by the tenant. The rising young
artist In great furry of excitement
agreed to do the work for $500 and
then blushed like a schoolgirl when he
was Informed by the practical Brew
ster that the paints and material for
one room alone would cost twice as
much.
Petty, you have no more idea of
business than a goat" criticised Mont
gomery. And Paul lowered his head in
humble confession. THAT man who
caIcimines your studio could figure OH
piece Of work with more intelligence
than you reveal I'll pay $500. It's
only fair price, and l can't afford
anything cheap in this place.
AT this rate you won't be able to
afford anything" said Pettingill to
himself
And SO it was that Pettingill and n
corps of decorators soon turned the
rooms into confusion of scaffoldings
and paint buckets, out Of which in the
end emerged something very distin-
guished. No one had ever thought
Pettingill deficient in ideas. and this
was his opportunity. The only draw.
back was the time limit which Brew.
ster so remorselessly fixed. Without
that he felt that he could have done
something splendid in the way Of dec.
orative understanding that would
make even the glory Of Puvis de Cha.
Rannes turn pallid. With 1t he was
obliged to curb his turbulent ideas.
and he decided that a rich simplicity
was the proper note. The resul: was
gorgeous, but not too gorgeous-it had
depth and distinction.
Elated and eager. he assisted Brew
eter In selecting furniture and hang.
Sngs for each room, but he did not
know that his employer was making
conditional purchases OF everything.
Mr.. Brewster had agreements with all
the dealers to the effect that they were
20 buy everything back at a fair price
II he desired to give up his establish
ment within year. He adhered to this
rule In all cases that called for the
purchase outright Of substantial ne.
cessities. The bump Of calcuativeness
IN Monty Brewster's head was growing
10 abnormal proportions.
In retaining his rooms at Mrs. Gray's
he gave the himsy but pathetic excuse
that he wanted place in which he
might find occasional seasons OF peace
and quiet. When Mrs. Gray protested
against this useless bit Of extrava.
gance his grief was so obviously gen.
uine that her heart was touched, and
there was deep. fervent JOY in her
soul. She loved this fair faced boy,
and tears OF happiness came to her
eyes when She was given this new
proof Of his loyalty and devotion. His
rooms were kept for him just az II he
had expected to occupy them every day
and every night. Notwithstanding the
tain elsewhere The Oliver Optic
books still lay in the attic, all tattered
and torn, but to Margaret the embodi-
ment Of prospective riches. promises of
sweet hours to come. She knew Mon
~ we'll enough to feel that be would
not forget the dark little attic OF old
Tor all the splendors that might come
with the new dispensation.
There was no little surprise when he
sent out Invitations for large dinner.
His grandfather had been dead less
than month, and society was some.
what scandalized by tho plain symp-
tems OF disrespect he was showing. No
one had expected him to observe pro-
oonged season OF mourning but that
be should disregard the formaliticS
completely was rather shocking. Some
Of the older people, who had not long
10 live and who had heirs apparent.
openly denounced bis heartlessness. II
was not very gratifying to think Of
what might be In store for them II all
memories were as short a. Brewster's.
O.d Mrs. Ketchell changed her will.
and two nephews were cut OF entire
y. A very modest and impecunious
grandson OF Jossph Garrity also was
70 sustain severe change Of fortune