Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-06-30
CHAPTER X.
CHAPTER X. THE next two months were busy ones for Brewster. Miss Drew saw him quite as often as be-

but he was always puzzle to her.
 His attitude is changed somehow" she thought to herself. And then she remembered that "a man who wins a girl after an ardent suit is often like one who runs after street car and then sits down to read his paper"
 In truth. after the first few days Monty seemed to have forgotten hfs competitors and was resting in the consciousness of his assured position. Each day he sent her flowers and con- sidered that he had more than done his duty. He used no small part of his income on the flowers, but in this case his mission was almost forgotten in his love for Barbara.
 Monty's attitude was not due to any waning of his affection. but to the very unromantic business in which he was engaged. It seemed to him that, plan as he might. he could not devise fresh ways and means to earn $16,0O0 day. He was still comfortably ahead in the race, but famine in opportu mites was not far remote. Ten big dinner parties and a string of elaborate after the play suppers maintained a fair but insufficient average, and he could see that the time was ripe for radical measures. He could not go on | forever with his dinners. People were already beginning to refer to the fact ! that he was warming his toes on the 1 social register. and he had no desire to become the laughingstock of the town. The few slighting, sarcastic remarks about his business ability. chiefly by women and therefore reflected from the men, hurt him. Miss Drew's ap- parently harmless taunt and Mrs. Dams open criticism told plainly enough how the wind was blowing. but it was Peggy's gentle questions that cut the deepest. There was such hon. est concern in her voice that he could see how his profigacy was troubling her and Mrs. Gray. In their eyes more than in the others he felt ashamed and humiliated. Finally goaded by the re- mark of bank director which he over heard. Edwin P. Brewster is turning handsprings in his grave over the way he is going it." Monty resolved to re- deem himself in the eyes of his critics. | He would show them that his brain was not wholly given over to frivolity.
 With this project in mind he decided to cause a little excitement in Wall street For some days he stealthily watched the stock market and piled his friends with questions about values Constant reading and observation finally convinced hi.l that Lumber and Fuel Common was the one stock in which he could safely plunge. Cast ing aside all apprehension. so far as Swearengen Jones was concerned. he prepared for what was to he his one and only venture on the Stock Ex- change before the o3d of the following September With all the cunning and craftiness of general he laid his plans for the attack. Gardner's face was the picture of despair when Brewster ask ed him to buy heavily in Lumber and Fuel
 Good heavens. Montyw cried the broker You're joking. Lumber is away up now. It can't possibly go a fraction of point higher. Take my advice and don't touch it. It opened today at 111s4 and closed at 109. Why, man. you're crazy to think about 1t for an instant"
 "I know my business. Gardner" said Brewster quietly. and his con- science smote him when he saw the flush of modification creep into the face of his friend. The rebuke had cut Gardner to the quick.
 But. Monty, know what I'm talk ing about At least let me tell you something about this stock" pleaded Elon Loyalty despite the wound.
 "Gardy, I've gone into this thing carefully. and if ever man felt sure about anything I do about this" said Monty decidedly. but affectionately.
 Take my wori for it, Lumber can't go any higher. Think of the situation. The lumbermen in the north and west are overstocked. and there is strike ready 10 go into effect. When that comes. the stock will % for a song. The slump is liable to begin any day"
 My mind is made up" said the other firmly. and Gardner was in despair. Twill you or will you not execute an order for nc at the opening tomorrow? I'll start with 10000 shares. What will it cost me to margin 1t for ten points,"
 At least hundred thousand eXclu- sive of commission. which would he twelve and half hundred shares. Despite the most strenuous opposition from Gardner. Brewster adhered to his design. and the broker executed the or der the next morning He knew that Brewster had but one chance to win. and that was to buy the stock in a lump instead of distributing it among several brokers and throughout the session This was point that Monty had overlooked
 There had been little to excite the Stock Exchange for some weeks: noth ing was active. and the slightest furry was hailed as an event Every one knew that the calm would be disturbed at some near day. but nobody looked for sensation in Lumber and Fuel IL WAS a forez0ne conclusion that q slump was coming and there was scarcely any trading in the stock When Elon Gardner. acting for Mont eouery BrevNer. took 1000 shares at fn1ss fherp Has a miG1fr R10 nn fhe