The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-05-23

v
10 Montgomery Brewster, New York:
IL you feel that way about it, I advise
you to- take out q, 500 policy JONES
TO swearengen Jones. Butte Mont:
Do you think that anoupt would cover
MoNTGoMERY BREWSTER. !
no Montgomery Brewster. New York:
You won't be caring about expenses II It
Homes TO that = JONES.
The invitations for the second ball
had been out for some tine, and the
preparations were nearly complete
when Brewster arrived upon the scene
of festivity. It 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 it
had once been. He was not greeted as
cordially as before, and he grimly won
dered how many Of his friends would
stand true to the end The uncertain
II 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 resplendent ball, it. was use
ful 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. a 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
ful summing up of the expenses and
receipts proved that the tour had been
bonanza for Brewster. The net loss
was triae more than $4,000. When \
this story became known about town
everybody laughed pityingiy. and poor
Gardner was almost in tears when he
tried to explain the disaster to the man
who lost the money But Monty's
sense Of humor, singularly enough, did
not desert him on this trying occa-
sion.
Aesthetically 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 Spain Of VelasqueZ to France and
Louis Quinze. After the cards were
out ae remembered, to his consterna-
ton. that the favcrs purchased for the
Spanish bah would be entirely inap-
prorriate for the French one. He wiz
ed Brewster at once Of this misfortune
and was astonished at the nonchalance
of his reply. .'But. then. Monty always
was a good sort" he thought, with
glow of affection. The new plan was
more costly than the old, for it was no
simple matter to build Versailles
suit at Sllerry's.
PettingiIl was no imitator, but be
created an effect which was superoiy
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 a costume ID whlte
satin and gold broeade which might
once have adorned the person of Louis
himself. It made him feel like popln-
1ay. and it was with infinite rellef
that he took It off an hour or so after
dawn. He knew that things had gone
well, that even Mrs. Dan was salts
fed, but the whole affair made him
heartsick. Behind the compliments
,avished upon him he detected a note
OF irony 17lica revealed ne laughter
that went on behind his back He had
not realized how much it would hurt.
.sFor 2 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
I'D the challenge and determined to
win out. Then" he thought exultant-
". "FI make them feel this Bit
He longed for the time when he
could take his few friends with him
and sail away to the Mediterranean
20 escape =, e $50 i.a..-7}ies = -
York. fopa5ie 6e al-ged siafsisos'