The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-06-06

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 ct the opera house
and were ushered in with Difference
only accorded to wealth. The splendor
of the effect was overpowering to
Brewster as we'll as to his bewildered
guests. Aladdin, it seemed, had fairly
outdone himself. The wonder Of it
was so complete that it was some time
before they could settle down to the
opera, which was "1Aida,'' given with
an enthusiasm that only Italians can
compass.
During the last intermission Brew
ster and Peggy were walking in the
foyer. They had rarely spoken since
the day Of the ride, but Monty noticed
with happiness that she had on several
occasions avoided Pettsngi1l.
81 thought we had given up fairy
land when we left the lakes, but I be-
lieve you carry it with you," SHE said.
s1The trouble with this" Monty re-
Piled, sis that there are too many peo-
pie about. My fairyland is. to be just
a little different"
.Your fairyland, Monty, will be built
of gold and paved with silver. You
will sit all day cutting coupons in an
Office Of alabaster."
Peggy, do you, too, think me vul-
gar? It's beastly parade, I know,
but it can't stop now. You don't real
ize the momentum of the thing"
..You do it up to the handle she put
in. ..And you are much too generous
to be vulgar. But it worries me, Mon
ty: it 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 it? You are wasting your
substance, and you are not making any
life for yourself that opens out"
Peggy he answered very seriously,
s'ycu 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 as she looked at him. 81 believe
you, Monty" she said simply. Il 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 were leaving the
thea ter there was note Of regret from
Peggy. 1T has been perfect" she
breathed, "yet, Monty, isn't it waste
that no one else should have seen it?
Think Of these poverty stricken peas
ants who adore music and have never
heard an opera
.sWell, 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 a 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, bat there was
something princely about it, and they
were tolerant The manager Of the op-
era house was less complacent, and he
had an explanatory terror Of the dam
age to his upholstery. But Brewster
had discovered that in Italy gold is a
panacea for all ills, and his prescrip-
tions were liberal To him the day
was short, for Peggy's interest in the
penance, as it came to be called, was
so keen that she insisted on having a
hand in the preliminaries. There was
something about the partnership that
appealed to Monty.
To her regret the DeMtlle dinner in
terfered with the opening Of the per-
formance, but Monty consoled her with
the promise that the opera and its
democratic audience should follow.
During the day Mrs. Dan had been
deep in preparations for her banquet,
but her plans were elaborately conceal
ed. They eliminated at o'clock in the
Cova, not far from the Scala, and the
dinner was eaten in the garden to the
sound Of music. Yet it was an effect Of
simplicity with which Mrs. Dan sur
prised her guests. They were prepared
for anything but that, and when they
were served with consomme, spaghetti
"a concession to the chef-and chops
and peas. followed by a salad and cof-
fee, the gratitude Of the crowd was
quite beyond expression. In burst Of
enthusiasm Subway Smith suggested
q testimonial.
Monty complained bitterly that he
himself had never received a ghost Of
a testimonial. He protested that it was
not deserved.
"Why should you expect itw exclaim-
ed PettingilI. when have you risen
from ferraDia and artichokes to chops