Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-08-28
CHAPTER XVII.

BILE his efforts, Notwithstanding the
manifest dismay of his friends. His
first act was to call upon Grant & Rip
ley, from whom he hoped to learn
what Swearengen Jones thought OF his
methods. The lawyers had heard nc
complaint from Montana and advised
him to continue as he had begun, az
surfing him rs far as they could that
Jones would not prove unreasonable.
An exchange of kilograms just before
his operation had renewed Monty's
dread Of his eccentric mentor:
New York. Jan. 6. 1s-.
Swearengen Jones. Butte. Mont:
How about having my life insured
Would 1t violate conditions?
MONTGOMERY BREWSTER.
To Montgomery Brewster. New York:
Seems to me your life would become ar
asset In that case. Can you dispose OF II
before Sept. e? JONES.
To Swearens;sn Jones. Butte. Mont:
On the contrary, think life will be Z
debt by that time.
MONTGOMERY BREWSTER.
10 Montgomery Brewster New York:
you to take out $500 policy. JONES.
To Swearengen Jones, Butte, Mont.s
Do you think that amount would cover
funeral expenses?
MONTGOMERY BREWSTER.
To Montgomery Brewster New York:
You won't be caring about expenses IL II
comes to that. JONES.
The invitations for the second ball
had been out for some time, and the
preparations were nearly complete
when Brewster arrived upon the scene
OF festivity 1t did not surprise him
that several old time friends should
hunt him up and protest vigorously
against the course he was pursuing.
nor did it surprise him when he found
that his presence was not as essential
to the success Of some other affair as 1t
had once been. He was not greeted as
cordially rs before, and he grimly Won
dered how many Of his friends would
stand true to the end. The uncertain
ty made him turn more and more often
to the unquestioned loyalty Of Peggy
Gray, and her little library saw him
more frequently than for months.
Much as he had dreaded the preten-
tious and respondent ball, it was use
full to him in one way at least. The
profit side Of his ledger account was
enlarged, and in that there was room
for secret satisfaction. The Viennese
orchestra struggled into New York
headed by Elon Gardner, a physical
wreck, in time to make harmonious
farewell appearance behind Brewster's
palms, which caused his guests to won
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 trife 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
sense Of humor, singularly enough, did
not desert him on this trying occa-
sion.
Aesthstically 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
own hands while Brewster was in
Florida and changed the period from
the spafn Of velasquez to France and
Louis ouinze. After the cards were
out he remembered, to his consterna>
ton, that the favors purchased for the
Spanish ball would be entirely inap-
propris.te for the French one. He wiz
ed Brewster at once of this misfortune
and was astcnished at the nonchalance
Of his reply. "But, then, Monty always
was q good sort" he thought, with a
glow CT affection. The new plan was
more costly than the old, for it was no
simple matter to build q Versailles
suit at Sherry's.
Petttngill 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 costume in white
satin and gold brocade which might
once have adorned the person Of Louis
himself 1t made him feel like popin-
iay. and it was with infinite relief
that he took it of an hour or SO after
GAVIN. He knew that things had gone
well, that even Mrs. Dan was salts
fed, but the whole affair made him
heartsick. Behind the compliments
Iavished upon him he detected note
Of irony which revealed the laughter
that went on behind his back. He had
not realized how much it would hurt.
.'For 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, 'TH make them feel this bit"
Hs longed for the time when he
could take his few friends with him
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 prelimF
nary details had been perfected Ee
had taken the Filter for four
months, and it was being overhaulad
and mt into coalition fer the voyage.