Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1906-01-05

himself up In time. "1fs a funny old
world, colonel" he said, land some
times ones nearest friend Is n stranger.
l know l seem a FOOL but, after all,
why isn't it good philosophy to make
the most OF n holiday and then settle
back to work."
THAT is all very well, Monty"-and
Colonel Drew was entirely serious
"but the work Is hundred times hard
er after you have played to the limit
You'll find that you are way beyond it,
It's no joke getting back into the har-
ness"
Perhaps you are right, colonel. but
at least I shall have something to look
back upon even if the worst comes"
And Monty instinctively Strengthened
his shoulders.
They turned to leave the building,
and the colonel had a moment of weak
ness.
do you know, Monty" he said, my
daughter Is awfully cut up about this
business. She is plucky and tries not
to show It, but, after all, a girl doesn't
get over that sort of thing all in mo-
ment. 1 am not saying"-it seemed nee
essary to recede a step-'that it would
be an easy matter to patch up. But
like you, Monty, and if any man could
do it you can"
Colonel, wish might" And Brew
ster found that he did not hesitate
For your sake 1 very much wish the
n cir t.1o
But there are some things Il man can't
forget and-well, Barbara has shown
in a dozen ways that she has no faith
in me-"
WELL I've got faith in you, and Il lot
OF 1t. Take care of yourself. and when
you get back you can count on me.
Goodby."
On Thursday morning the Filter
steamed off down the bay, and the
flight of the prodigal grandson was on.
No swifter, cleaner, handsomer boat
ever sailed out of the harbor of New
York, and 1t was a merry crowd that
she carried out to sea. Brewster's
guests numbered twenty-five, and they
brought with them liberal supply of
maids, Wallets and luggage. 1t was not
until many weeks later that he read
the vivid descriptions of the weighing
of the anchor which were printed in
the New York papers, but by that time
he was impervious to their ridicule.
On deck, watching the rugged sill
houette of the city disappear into the
mists, were Dan DeMille and Mrs.
Dan, Peggy Gray, Rip Van Wrinkle,
Reginald Vanderpool, Joe Bragdon.
DR.. Lotless and his sister Isabel, Mr..
and Mrs. Valentine-the official chap
eron-and their daughter Mary. Sub
way Smith, Paul Pettingill and some
others hardly less distinguished. AS
Monty looked over the eager crowd he
recognized with a peculiar glow that
here were represented his best and tru-
est friendships. The loyalty of these
companions had been tested and he
knew that they would stand by him
through everything.
There was no little surprise when it
was learned that Dan DeNIille was
really to sail. Many of the idle voy-
ayers ventured the opinion that he
would try to desert the boat in mid
ocean if he saw a chance to get back
to his club on a westbound steamer.
But DeMille, big, indolent and indiffer-
ent, smiled carelessly and hoped he
wouldn't bother anybody If he stuck
to the ship until the end.
For time the sea and the sky and
the talk Of the crowd were enough for
the joy of living. But after a few
peaceful days there was a lull, and il
was then that Monty gained the nick.
name Of Aladdin, which chung to him.
From somewhere, from the hold or the
rigging or from under the sea, he
brought forth four darkies from the
south who strummed banjos and SAM
ragtime melodies. More than once dur
Ing the voyage they were useful.
Peggy" said Brewster one day
when the sky was particularly clear
and things were quiet on deck, ION thu
whole | prefer this to crossing the
North river on a ferry. rather like it
don't you2'
1T seems like dream" she cried
her eyes bright, her hair blowing in the
wind
And, Peggy, do you know what ]
tucked away in chest down in my