The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-01-29

< '''' \! "HAfnphl kro1u every street z'a to,c7s. , equilibrium returned, and he went on to explain:
 T supposed you knew only two streets in town-Wells and South Wa ter"
 I"Humph! I know every street in town" broom resented. drawing him. self up in his chair, and then bluntly, "Whats happenedT
 "Not so leud! Harbert's here, butt
 "Oho! Here?"
 ''In Chicago, yes--we'll talk about it later''
 The present genial environment and convivtal atmosphere were producing a most inspi-iting 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 toTs time he glanced proudly across to the alcove table where the men were engaged in unfolding their napkins and toying ~wy4%1 %kAa rpJo fv> ov2kS sro tion 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 off their gloves and spreading out their fingers on the tablecloth.
 "Graydon seems to be right in the swim, eh, broom P he said. The irony of it all appealed strongly to his sense of hunor. "I don't suppose you know those swellsT,, he added patronizingly, broom was listening intently to the bursts of merriment which were en- livening the restaurant. Like small boy at circus who fears that some thing will happen that he will 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 the inference.
 Certainly do," and. leaning over the table and cevertly indicating with his long. bony finger the man at the head of the table, he answered sue cinctly. ''That's Fernmore; he's''-
 A particularly loud burst of laughter cut him short. At the adjoining tables conversation had abruptly ceased 1; heads were turned and inquisitive eyes were fastened on the brilliant coterie at the alcove table.
 Few men in Chicago were better known or better liked than the stout, forid complexioned. jovial looking Bn- ly Fernmore, the host of this enter tainment His social adventures and the headlong follies in which his fun loving proclivities invariably enmesh- ed him were only surpassed by his fondness for ridding himself of his un- limited wealth.
 To his inherited five millions mar riage had added the colossal fortune of a beautiful heiress, whose extrava- gances aggregated less than his own solely through the limitations of her sex. Yet. were it not for the self inn posed handicap of adhering strictly to the somewhat old fashioned precept that jewels should be acquired only through affectionate benefcence. Mrs. Fernmore might have succeeded in surpassing the princely prodigalities of her lord and master.
 "It was this way" Billy was say. ing in his own inimita bIe manner and awake to the realization of having q good one" to tell. "A few days ago the lady of nay house took wings for New York-a little spree of her own, you understand. And, for Billy Fernmore, kept out of mischief for time fairly well. After waiting days, lamblike, for her return, regtlessneSs"-and here Fernmore's shameless affectation of the neglected husband became so ire sistibly funny that 1t provoked pro- longed laughter from his listeners, even broom showing. his yellow snags and stretching his mouth to the fullest extent of the law as he joined in the general choruS-"restlessaeSs gave way to recklessness. and in desperation invited half dozen of the oldest and most distinguished widowers in town to dine with me at the hotel, where they were informed they were to be honored by the presence of bevy of the seasons prettiest debutantes., My stars, but they were a fine collection of old tnnocentsv' Fernmore threw himself back in his chair and roared at the recollection.
 "BilIy's wonder when he's wound upr' Medford's whispered aside to the lady on bis right met with sim pie nod of the head; for. despite Miss Clegg's we'll feigned interest in MT. Medford when Rigby was present. on other occasions there was no pretense of enjoyment of his society.
 Among those present-to use the correct phrase," said Billy. after nav- ing refreshed himself with sufficient champa gne to proceed. were two re tired merchants. a venerable logician, a dad6nyin~ hsuEar and half hIind