The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1909-03-05
CHAPTEQI
EIGHT \


nY January the complex social
* mechanism of the metropolis
was whirling smoothly again.
H. The last ultra fashionable De
cent Der lingerer had returned from the
country. Those of the same caste out
ward bound for a southern or exotic
winter had departed, and the glitterins
machine, every part assembled, refur-
bished, rep llished and connected, hay
ing been g EN- preliminary speed tests
at the hors show and tuning up
the opera, was now running under full
velocity, and its steady, subdued v'hir
Quickened the Gathering pulse of the
city, keying 1t to a sublimely synco-
pated ragtime.
It was an open winter in New York
and financially a prosperous one, and
that meant a brilliant social season
Three phenomena particularly charac-
terized that metropolitan winter-the
reckless rage for private gambling
through the mediums of bridge and
roulette: the Incorporation Of conf
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 it's charter which other
wise might have remained ornately
and comparatively blank; the third
phenomenon was the retirement from
g. ,,f fn nj
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-
tenn of dependent, subsidiary and allied
corporations.
The day that the newspapers gave
this Interesting informa ton to the west
ern world Leroy Mortimer, on being
bluntly notified that he had overdrawn
his account with the Algonquin Loan
and Trust, began telephoning in every
direction until he located Beverl~
Plank at the Saddle club, an organiza
ton of wealthy men and sufficient
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 letter.
Beverly Plank had grown stouter
since he had returned to town from
Black Fells. but the increase of weight
was evenly distributed over his six
feet odd. which made him only trife
more ponderous and not abdominally
Eat. 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 mn
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 In behalf OF Beverly
Plank had so far received no serious
reyerses. His box at the horse show,
of course produced merely negative
results. !. His box at the opera might
mean something some day. His name
was M at the LenoX and the PATRONS.
He had endowed ward In the new
pavilion Of ST Berold's hospital. He
had presented fine Gainsborough.
1.-THE Countess Of wythe," to the Met
ropolitan museum. and 1t was rumored
that he had consulted several bishops
concerning a new chapel for that huge
bastioh 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 magnifcently emp
~ save for certain afternoon confer
ences of very solemn men, Fellow di'
rectors and associates In business and
financial matters-save for the peri
odicaI 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
disturbed glance around the rom.
.tCan't YOU be carefulr' he said. There
was n man here a moment ago" He
picked up his unfinished letter. folded
and pocketcd 1t, touched an electric
hell and when a servant came, "Take
Mr Mortlmers order" he said. sup
Dorting his massive head on his huge
hands and resting his elbow on the
writing desk.