Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-09-03
CHAPTER xx11.
.Hn peacefulness Of fairyland
WINS something which Brewster

n ana with beftleF ne WAS Soou
planning to invade it, The automobile
which he was obliged to order for the
mysterious marQuise put other ideas
into his head. 1t seemed at once alb
solutely necessary to give a coaching
party In Italy, and, as coaches or the
right kind were hard to find there and
changes OF horses most uncertain,
nothing could be more simple and nat
ural than to import automobiles from
Paris. Looking into the matter, be
found that they would have to be pur-
chased outright, as the renting Of Ave
machines would put his credit to too
severe n test Accordingly Bertier tel
egraphed wholesale order, which
taxed the resources Of the manufacture
ers and caused much complaint from
some customers whose work was unac-
countably delayed. The arrangement
made by the courier was that they
were to be taken back at greatly re-
duced price at the end of six weeks.
The machines were shipped at once,
1--WE to Milan and one to the address OF
1t was with sharp regret that Mon
ty broke into the idyl Of the villa. for
the witchery Of the place had got into
his blood. But stern sense OF duty,
combined with the fact that the Paris
chautreurs and machines were due In
Milan on Monday, made him ruthless.
He was astonished that his orders to
decamp were so meekly obeyed, for
getting that his solicitous guests did
not know that worse extravaganza lay
beyond. He took them to Milan by
train and lodged them with some splen-
dor at the Hotel Cavour. Here he
found that the fame of the princely
profligate had preceded him, and his
portly host was all Difference and at
tention-all regret, too. for monsieur
was just too late to hear the wonderful
company of artists who had been sing
ing ut La Scala. The season was but
just ended Here was an opportunity
missed, indeed, ana Brewsters vexa-
ton brought out an ironical comment
to Bertier. 1t ranked, but 1t had its
effect. The courier proved equal to
the emergency. Discovering that the
manager Of the company and the prin-
cipal artists were still In Milan, he
suggested to Brewster that special
performance would be very difficult to
secure, but might still be possible. Ills
chief caught at the idea and authorized
him to make every arrangement, re-
serving the entire house for his own
party.
"But the place will look bare" pro
tested the courier. aghast.
"Fill it with flowers; cover 1t with
tapestries commanded Brewster. Il
put the affair in your hands, and
trust you to carry it through in the
right way. Show them how it ought to
be done"
Bertisr's heart swelled within him at
the thought of so glorious an opportu-
nifty. His fame, he felt, was already
estab lished in Italy. 1t became a mat
ter Of pride to do the thing handsome
", and the necessary business arrange
ments called out all his unused re-
sources Of delicacy and diplomacy.
When it came to the decoration of the
opera house he called upon Pettingill
for assistance, and together they super
intended an arrangement which cur
tanned OF large part of the place and
it to livable proportions. With
the flowers and the lights, the tapes
tries and the great faded flags, it be-
came something quite different from
the usual empty theater.
To the CONSERVATION Of the Italians,
the work had been rushed. and 1t was
on the evening after their arrival in
Milan that Brewster conducted his
friends in state to the Scala. 1t was al
most a triumphal progress, for he had
generously If unwittingly given the
town the most princely sensation in
years, and curiosity was abundant.
Mrs. Valentine, who was In the car
rage with Monty. wondered openly
why they were attracting 20 much at
teation.
They take US for American dukes
and princesses," explained Monty.
They never saw a white man before"
Perhaps they expected us to ride on
said Mrs. Dan, with Indian
captives in eur train.'
mo" Subway Smith protested; II
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
rs you should. Why, I could give you
points on the potentate act myself-a
milk white steed, a few Gathering at
tendants in gorgeous uniforms, lofty
nod here and there and little me dis
tributing silver in the rear"
II WONDER" exclaimed Mrs. Dan, III
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 q
laugh. Haven't we tried 1t ourselves?
Two months Of living upon nothing but
fatted calves is more than I can stand.
We shall be ready for home for dys-
peptics if you can't slow down q bit,
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. "My
dear how Won can't kaya thinrs your
own way every minute. In another
month you viii be quite spoiled. Any
thin~ RI nrevcn< that NV duty il