, 1905-11-29

der why the American public could
not appreciate the real thing. A care
full summing up of the expenses and
receipts proved that the tour had been
a bonanza for Brewster. The net loss
was a trihe more than $4,000. When
this story became known about town
everybody laughed pityingly, and poor
Gardner was almost in tears when he
tried to explain the disaster to the man
who lost the money. But Monty's
sense of humor, singularly enough, did
not desert him on this trying occa-
sion.
Aesthetically the ball proved to be
the talk of more than one season. Pet
tingill had justified his desire for au-
thority and made a name which would
last. He had taken matters into his
W hands while Brewster was in
Florida and changed the period from
the Spain of Velasquez to France and
Louis Quinze. After the cards were
out he remembered, to his consterna-
ton. that the favors purchased for the
Spanish ball would be entirely inap-
Dropriate for the French one. He wiz
ed Brewster at once of this misfortune
and was astonished at the nonchalance
of his reply. "But, then, Monty always
was a good sort" he thought, with a
glow Of affection. The new plan was
more costly than the old, for it was no
simple matter to build a Versailles
suit at Sherry's.
pettingill was no imitator, but he
created an effect which was superbly
in keeping with the period he had
chosen. Against it the rich costumes,
with their accompaniment Of wigs and
powdered hair, shone out Respondent.
With great difficulty the artist had Sc
cured for Monty a costume in white
satin and gold brocade which might
once have adorned the person Of Louis
himself. 1t made him feel like a popin-
Jay, and it was with infinite relief
that he took it off an hour OF so after
dawn. He knew that things had gone
well, that even Mrs. Dan was salts
fed, but the whole affair made him
heartsick. Behind the compliments
lavished upon him he detected a note
of irony which revealed the laughter
that went on behind his back. He had
not realized how much it would hurt.
"For 2 cents" he thought, I'D give
up the game and be satisfied with
what's left" But he reflected that
such a course would offer no chance
to redeem himself. Once again he took
UP the challenge and determined to
win out. '"Then,' he thought eXultant-
ly, 'Ill make them feel this a bit"
He longed for the time when he
could take his few friends with hi2l
and sail away to the Mediterranean
to escape the eyes and tongues of New
York. Impatiently he urged Harrison
to complete the arrangements so that
they could start at once. But Harri-
sons face was not untroubled when
he made his report. All the prelimi-
nary details had been perfected. He
had taken the Filter for four
months, and it was being overhauled
and put into condition for the voyage.
1t had been Browns special pride,
but at his death it went to heirs who
were ready and eager to rent it to
the highest bidder. 1t would not have
been easy to find a handsomer yacht
in New York waters. A picked crew
of fifty men were under command of
Captain Abner Perry. The steward
was a famous manager and could be
relied upon to stock the larder in
~princely fashion. The boat would be
in readiness to sail by the 10th of
April.
81 think you are going in too heavily,
Monty" protested Harrison, twisting
his fingers ~nervously. Il can't for my
life figure how you can get out for less
than a fortune if we do everything you
have in mind. Wouldn't it be better to
pull up a bit? This looks like sheer
madness. You won't have a dollar,
Monty-honestly you won't"
ITS not in me to save money, Mop
per, but if you can pull out a few dol
lars for yourself l shall not object"
you told me that once before, Mon
ty," said Harrison as he walked to the
window. When he resolutely turned
back again to Brewster his face was
white, but there was a look of deter
mination around the mouth.
"Monty, I've got to give up this job"
he said huskily. Brewster looked up
quickly.