Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-08-05
friends in state to the Scala. 1t was q,

generously ~ uHWlCtluSly gwen lQe
town the most princely sensation in
years, and curiosity was abundant.
Mrs. Valentine, who was In the car
riage with Monty. wondered openly
why they were attracting so much at
tention.
They take US for American dukes
and princesses," explained Monty.
"They never saw white man before"
Perhaps they expected US to ride on
buffaloes," said Mrs. Dan, "with Indian
captives In our train"
"No,' Subway Smith protested; ~
seem to see disappointment in their
faces. They are looking for crowns and
scepters and shower of gold coin.
Really, Monty, you don't play the game
as you should. Why. could give you
points on the potentate act myself-a
milk white steed, few gathering at
PENDANTS in gorgeous uniforms, lofty
nod here and there and little me dis
tributing silver in the rear"
Il wonder" exclaimed Mrs. Dan, "if
they don't get tired now and then of
being potentates. Can't you fancy liv-
ing in palaces and longing for thatch-
ed cottage?"
Easily" answered Subway, with
laugh. Haven't we tried it ourselves?
Two months Of living upon nothing but
fatted calves is more than can stand.
We shall be ready for home for dys-
peptics if you can't slow down bit,
Monty"
Whereupon Mrs. Dan evolved plan
and promptly began to carry it out by
inviting the crowd to dinner the next
night, Monty protested that they
would be leaving Milan in the after
noon and that this was distinctly his
affair, and he was selfish.
But Mrs. Dan was very sure. 'NIy
dear boy, you can't have things your
own way every minute. In another
month you will be quite spoiled. Any
thing to prevent that. My duty is
plain. Even if / have to use heroic
measures, you dine with me tomor-
row."
Monty recognized defeat when he
met it and graciously accepted her
very kind invitation. The next mo-
ment they drew up at the opera house
and We're ushered in with Difference
only accorded to wealth. The splendor
of the effect was overpowering to
Brewster as well as to his bewildered
guests. Aladdin, 1t seemed, had fairly
outdone himself. The wonder Of it
was so complete that 1t was some time
before they could settle down to the
opera, which was Aida" given with
an enthusiasm that only Italians can
compass.
During the lass intermission Brew
ster and Peggy were walking in the
foyer. They had rarely spoken since
Win Happiness that s aHs 6aa 81 aeyera
occasions avoided Pettingill.
II thought we had given up fairy
land when we left the lakes, but be.
lieve you carry it with you" sue said.
THE trouble with this Monty re-
piled, lis that there are too many peo-
pie about. My fairyland is to be just
little different"
"Your fairyland, Monty, will be built
Of gold and paved with silver You
will sit oil day cutting coupons in an
office Of alabaster."
Peggy, do you, too, think me vul-
gar? It's beastly parade, know,
but it can't stop now. You don't real.
lie the momentum Of the thing"
"You do 1t up to the handle" she put
in. And you are much too generous
to be vulgar. But it worries me, Mon
ty; 1t worries me desperately It's the
future I'm thinking of--your future,
which is being swallowed up. This
kind of thing can't go on. And what
Is to follow itf You are wasting your
substance, and you are not making any
life for yourself that opens out"
Peggy" he answered very seriously,
you have got to trust me. I can't
back out but I'll tell you this-you
shall not be disappointed in me in the
end"
There was mist before the girls
eyes MS she looked at him. ~ believe
you, Monty" she said simply. II shall
not forget"
The curtain rose upon the next act,
and something in the opera toward the
end seemed to bring the two very close
together. As they We're leaving the
theater there was note of regret from
Peggy. 1T has been perfect" she
breathed, "yet, Monty, isn't 1t a waste
that no one else should have seen 1t?
Think Of these poverty stricken peas
ants who adore music and have never
heard an opera"
"Well, they shall hear one now"
Monty rose to it, but he felt like a
hypocrite in concealing his chief mo-
tive. We'll repeat the performance
tomorrow night and fill the house with
them"
He was as good as his word. Ber-
tier was given task the next day
which was not to his taste. But with
the assistance Of the city authorities he
carried it through. To them it was an
evidence Of insanity, but there was
something princely about 1t, and they
were tolerant. The manager of the op-
era house was less complacent, and he
ha1 olo, "a a.