Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-06-27

mother in the battle to keep the wolf down and appearances up. Margaret was rich in friendships and pride alone stood between her and the ad- vantages they offered. Good looking bright and cheerful, she knew no natu- ral privations. With heart as light and joyous as May morning she faced diversity as though 1t were a | pleasure, and no one would have sus- pected that even. for moment her courage wavered.
 Now that Brewster had come into his splendid fortune he could conceive no greater delight than to share 1t with them. To walk into the little drawing room and serenely lay large sums before them as their own seemed such natural proceeding that he re- fused to see an obstacle. But he knew it was there. The proffer of such a gift to Mrs. Gray would mean a wound to the pride inherited from naughty generations of men sufficient unto themselves There was a small but troublesome mortgage on the l house, matter of two or three thou sand dollars, and Brewster tried to evolve plan by which he could as- sume the burden without giving deep and lasting offense. A hundred wild designs had come to him. but they were quickly relegated to the growing heap of subterfuges and pretexts con demned by his tenderness for the pride of these two women who meant so much to him.
 Leaving the bank, he hastened by electric car to Fortieth street and Broadway and then walked eagerly off into the street of the numeral. He had not yet come to the point where he felt 1 like scorning the cars even though roll of bank notes was tucked snugly away in pocket that seemed to swell with sudden affluence. Old Hendrick, faithful servitor through two genera tions, was sweeping the autumn leaves from the sidewalk when Montgomery came up to the house.
 Hello, Hendrick.' was the young mans cheery greeting. Nice lot of leaves you have there"
 "So?" ebbed from Hendrick, who did not even so much as look up from his work. Hendrick was human clam.
 Mrs. Gray in?'
 | A grunt that signified yes.
 You're as loquacious as ever, Hen. ! drick.'
 i A mere nod
 Brewster let himself in with his own latchkey, threw his hat on chair and unceremoniously bolted into the libra | ". Margaret was seated near a win dow, a book in her lap. The first evi. dence of unbiased friendship he had ! seen in days shone in her smile. She took his hand and said simply, We are glad to welcome the prodigal to his home again"
 'I remind myself more of the fatted calf"
 Her first self consciousness had gone. T thought of that, but didn't dare say 1t" she laughed. One must be respectful to rich relatives" Hang your rich relatives. Peggy. If I thought that this money would make any difference would give it up l this minute"
 Nonsense. Monty" she said. How could it make difference? But you must admit it is rather startling The friend of our youth leaves his humble dwelling Saturday night with his sal. ary drawn for two weeks ahead. He returns the following Thursday a dag zling millionaire"
 I'm glad I've begun to dazzle any way. thought it might be hard to look the part"
 Well. I can't see that you are much changed" There was a suggestion of quaver in her voice, and the shadows did not prevent him from seeing the quick mist that fitted across her deep eyes.
 'After-sll. it's easy work being a mil lionaire." he explained. "when you've always had million dollar inclination
 And fifty cent possibilities" she added.
 Really. though. I'll never get as much joy out of my abundant riches as I did out of financial embarrass ments"
 But think how fine 1t is. Monty. not ever to wonder where your winters overcoat is to come from and how long the coal will last and all that"
 "Oh. I never wondered about my overcoats. The tailor did the wonder ing. But I wish I could go on living here just as before I'd heap rather live here than at that gloomy place on the avenue"
 That sounded like the things you used to say when we played in the garrett. You'd a heap sooner do this than that, don't you rememberT
 That's just why I'd rather live here. Peggy. Last night fell to thinking of that old garret. and hanged if some thing didn't come up and stick in my throat so tight that I wanted to cry. How long has it been since we played up theret Yes. and how long has it been since read Oliver Optic to you. lying there in the gsrret window while you sat with your back against the wall your blue eyes as big as dollsrsi'
 'oh. dear me, Monty. it was ages ago-twelve CT thirteen years. at least" she cried, a soft light in her eyes.
 lin going ur there this afternoon to see what the place is like he said ca geriy. And. Peggy. you must come foo Marho I can find ona of thoss