The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1906-02-09
CHATTER XVII

surfing nm as far as they could that
Jones would not prove unreasonable.
An exchange Of kilograms just before
MS operation had renewed Monty's
dread Of his eccentric mentor:
New York, Jan. 8. 10.
swearengen Jones, Butte, Mont:
How about having my life insured9
would 1T violate conditions?
MONTGOMERY BREWSTER.
10 Montgomery Brewster, New York.
seems to me your life would become an
asset In that case. Can you dispose OF II
before Sept. q? I0NEs
10 swearengen Jones, Butte, Mont:
AN IN Inc contrary, I think life will be a
MONTGOMERY BREWSTER.
10 Montgomery Brewster, New York:
II you feel that way about 1t, I advise
you to take out a $500 policy. JONES.
To swearengen Jones, Butte. Mont:
DO you think that amount would cover
funeral expenses?
MONTGOMERY BREWSTER.
10 Montgomery Brewster, New York:
You won't be caring about expenses II II
comes 10 that. JONES.
The invitations for the second ball
q 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 as 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-
hous and Respondent ball, it was USE
full to him in n 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
full summing up of the expenses and
receipts proved that the tour had been
a bonanza for Brewster. The net loss
was a trif1e 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'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 n 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 he remembered, to his consterna-
ton, that the favors purchased for the
Spanish ball would be entirely inap-
propriate for the French one. He wir-
ed Brewster at once Of this misfortune
and was astonished at the n~onchalance
Of his reply. "But, then, Monty always
was a good sort" he thought, with "a
glow of affection. The new plan was
more costly than the old, for 1t was no
matter to build a Versailles
suit at Sherry's.
Pettingill 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 a costume in white
satin and gold brocade which might
once have adorned the person Of Louis
himself. 1t made him feel like a popin-
Jay, and it was with infinite relief
that he. took it off an hour OF 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
lavished upon him he detected a note
Of irony which revealed the laughter
that went on behind his back. He had
not realized how much it would hurt.
"For 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
up the challenge and determined to
win out. Then" he thought exultant-
IL, ''I'll make them feel this q bit"
He 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-