Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-04-15

EHCHAPTEQ W
En- EIGHT ~
IVY January the complex social
mechanism OF the metropolis
was whirIing smoothly again.
IL The last ultra fashionable De.
cember lingerer had returned from the
country. Those OF the same caste out
ward bound for a southern or exotic
winter had departed, aud the glitterlng
machine, every part assembled, refur-
bished. repolished and connected. hav.
Ing been given preliminary speed tests
at the horse show and a tuning up at
the opera, was now running under full
velocity, and Its steady, subdued whir
quickened the Gathering pulse OF the
city. keying IL to sublimely synco-
pated ragtime.
II was an open winter In New York
and financially a prosperous one. and
that meant a brilliant social season
Three phenomena particularly charac'
terlzed that metropolitan winter-the
reckless rage for private gambling
through the medium of bridge and
roulette; the incorporation of a com
pany known as the Intercounty Elec
trio company, capitalized at a figure
calculated TO disturb nobody and so far
without any avowed specific policy 9th.
er than that which served TO decorate
a portion of its charter which other.
wise might have remained ornately
and comparatively blank the third
phenomenon was the retirement from
active affairs OF Stanley S. Quarter
the father of Howard Quarter, and
the election of the son to the presiden.
cy of the great Algonquin Loan and
Trust company. with its network sys.
TEN of dependent, subsidiary and allied
corporations.
The day that the newspapers gave
this interesting information to the west
ern world Leroy Mortimer, on being
bluntly notified that he had overdrawn
bis account with the Algonquin Loan
and Trust, began telephoning in every
direction until he located Beverly
Plank at the Saddle club, an organiza.
ton OF wealthy men and sufficiently
exclusive not to compromise Planks
possible chances for something better
Mortimer crawled out of his hanson,
saying that the desk clerk would pay,
and entered the reading room. where
Plank sat writing a letter
Beverly Plank had grown stoutef
since he had returned 10 town from
Black Fells, but the increase OF weight
was evenly distributed over his six
feet odd, which made him only trifie
more ponderous and not abdominally
fat But Mortimer had become enor-
nous. Rolls OF flesh crowded his mot.
tied ear lobes outward and bulged
above his collar. Cushions OF 1t pad
ded the backs OF his hands and fin
gers. Shaving left his heavy, distend'
ed face congested and unpleasantly
shiny. But he was as minutely groom
ed as ever. and he wore that satiated
air of prosperity which had always
been one of his most important assets.
The social campaign inaugurated by
Leila Mortimer I'm behalf of Beverly
Plank had so far received no serious
ICNNAN'os LIS bOA Ct INC hOicC ohONs
Of course. produced merely negative
results. His box at the opera might
mean something some day. His name
was up at the Lenox and the PATRONS.
He had endowed a ward In the new
pavilion OF st Berolds hospital He
had presented fine Gainsborough.
''The Countess OF Wythe." 10 the Met
ropolitan museum. and II was rumored
that he had consulted several bishops
concerning a new chapel for that huge
bastion Of the citadel of faith looming
above the metropolitan wilderness in
the north
Meanwhile he was doggedly docile.
His huge house. facing the wintry park
midway between the squat palaces of
the wealthy pioneers and the outer
hundreds, remained magnificently emp
~ save for certain afternoon confer
ences OF very solemn men. fellow di-
rectors and associates I'm business and
financial matters-save for the peri
odIcal presence OF the Mortimers.
Things are moving all the same"
said Mortimer as he entered the read
ing room OF the Saddle club. "Quarrier
and Belwether have listened more re-
spectfully to me since they read that
column about you and the bishops and
that chapel business"
Plank turned his heavy head, with n
disturbed glance around the room.
Cant You be carefulY' he said There
was n man here "a moment ago" re
picked mp his unfinished letter. folded
and pockcted Il. touched an electric
bell. and when a servant came. "Take
Mr. MortimeF's order" he said. sup
porting bis massive head ON his huge
hands and resting his elbow on the
writing desk
1--WE got 10 cut ont this morning
bracer" said Mortimer eying the serv-
ant with indecision. but he gave his
order nevertheless and later accepted
q cigar. and when the servant had re-
turned and again retired he half emp
He'd his tall glass. rehlled II with min.
eral water and settling back In the
padded armchair. said; IF | manage
this thing az Il ought to De managed
you'll go through by April what DO
you think OF thaty'
Plank'y pblegmatic features flushed
I'm more obliged to you than I car
say" he began. but Mortimer silcnce1
him with "a gesture. Don't Interrupt
I'm goias 10 put You through the Pa
troons ciub 10y April That's thirty