The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1908-09-26

"Oho! Here2"
"In Chicago, yes-we'n talk about 1t
The present genial environment and
conyivial atmosphere were producing
a most inspiriting effect on the lawyer.
The delightful consciousness that the
people with whom his son was supping
were Of the smartest set IN town for
the moment had banished all fears of
exposure. From time to time he
glanced proudly across to the alcove
table where the men were engaged in
unfolding their napkins and toying
with their glasses, in lively anticipa-
ton Of the enjoyment to come; while
the women. with the hope of eliciting
admiration for their hands and the
sparkle of their rings, were taking of
their gloves and spreading out their
fingers on the tablecloth.
"Graydon seems to be right in the
swim, eh, Droom" he said. The irony
of It all appealed strongly to his n
Of humor. 81 don't suppose you know
those swellsT' he added patronizingly.
broom was listening lntently to the
bursts Of merriment which were en-
livening the restaurant Like a small
boy at a circus who fears that some
thing will happen that be win not see,
he was continually turning his head
and letting his eyes travel critically
over the company at the neighboring
table.
At this speech Of Bansemer's the
eyes of the old clerk returned They
expressed no little resentment at tue
inference.
Certainly | do" and, leaning over
the table and ~coyertly indicating with
his long, bony finger the man at the
mead OF the table, ne answered sue
clnctly, That's Fernmore; hes
A particularly loud burst Of laughter
cut him short. At the adjoining tables
conversation had abruptly ceased
heads were turned and inquisitiye eyes
were fastened on the brilliant coteri'
at the alcove table.
Few men IN Chicago were bette
known or better liked than the stout
forid complexioned. jovial looking BIZ
~ Fernmore, the host of this enter
tainment. His social adventures ant
the headlong follies in which his ful
loving proclivities invariably ennesh
ed him we're only surpassed by hi
fondness for Kidding himself of his IN
limited wealth.
b To his inherited five millions mar
4 riage had added the colossal fortune 0
a beautiful heiress, whose extrava
gances aggregated less than his owr
solely through the limitations OF he
sex. Yet, were it not for the self i'm
posed handicap of adhering strictly t
the somewhat old fashioned precep
that jewels should be acquired onl
through affectionate benefcence, Mrs
Fernmore might have succeeded
surprising the princely prodigalities Q
her lord and master.
1T was this way" Billy was say
ing in his own inimitable manner an
awake to the realization of having
"good one" to tell. "A few days ago til
lady of my house took wings for Me-
York-a little spree of her own, 70
understand. And, for Billy Fernmor,
1 kept out Of mischief for a time fairl
well. After waiting days, lamblike, fC
her return. restlessness"-and hel
Fernmore's shameless affectation {
the neglected husband became so irr,
sistibly funny that it provoked pr
longed laughter from his listener
even broom showing his yellow snal
and stretching his mouth to the fulleI
extent Of the law as he Joined in I'll
general chorus-"restlessnes gave wa
to ~recklessness, and in desperation
invited a half dozen of the Oldest an
most distinguished widowers in tow
to dine with me at the hotel, whel
E they were informed they were to |
honored by the presence Of a bevy
the seasons prettiest d%ebutantes. NJ
+ stars, but they were a fine collectiC
of old innocentsp Fernmore tire
r himself back in his chair and roar'
at the recollection.
! "Billy's a wonder when he's wour
e upW Medford's whispered aside
the lady on his right met with a sill
u pie nod of the head; for, despite Mi
d Clegg's well feigned interest in NJ
Medford when Rigby was present, +,
q other occasions there was no preten
/ Of enjoyment of his society.
5 among those ~present-to use Il
correct phrase" said Billy, after ha
ing refreshed himself with sufieie
champagne to proceed, were two !
tired merchants, a venerable logicia
a d~oddering banker and a half Bill
college professor. OF course | had
make some excuse for Mrs. Fernmor'
absence. For the life Of me l cam
now remember what yarn l told the
but they were too anxious to be pl
scented to the gay young women .
to swallow it-whole. The old DO
fairly swamped the girls with th'
senile attentions. It was a lively 81
per party-my world And they we
home unanimously declaring that (
debutantes Of the present day d
counted. at least in dash and 80, I
p cbarmers OF fifty years ago"
Amidst the confusion Of peals