The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-11-15


 forced into brilliancy by arc-lights was like some country waif painted for the town. In the north the searehlight of the Albany nghtboat pushed nov ing luminous finger into the clouds The notes of a street-organ co-e to him. softened by distance into melody:
 And twas there that Annie Laurie
 Gave me her promise true
 He smiled with shut lips. "IIer promise true,' he said. "I wonder why think of old times to-night? According to the clubs and drawing Oliver Van Corlear De Bracy thought little of old times and less of an old Still, his world recognized his right to live without too close an inquiry as to how he managed it. The last of the honors and per ouises of the De Bracys the right to the social raft until exhausted
 >"Gave me her promise true," tril1ed the piano.
 1 Those mid-Vctorian poets had such imagina- lions. unused the man at the window. Waters, light the lamps. I am expecting gentleman. | The room began to glow with increasino radiance as lamp after lamp cast its soft clarity upon DOT celains and mahoganies. Old tapestries commenced to swim out of shadows, and low tables to glitter with silver services and shine with the Jeweied con fusion of snuff boxes and miniatures . "Waters," said De Bracy, "how often have told you that the highest light should fall that photo graph cabnet?" referring to huge folding-screen wherein, row row, the autographed hkenesses ot ermined aristocrats attested his popularity in the coronation year. My best stage property, Waters Control your face, man. sometimes think shall never make valet of you That's better Is that the office calling? Hand that dressing gown, the Chinese one. Now, show the gentleman in-until he goes, am not at home
 The figure of Waters disappeared through the armoria1 brocades of the doorway. De Bracy~tied -the cords at his waist surveying the room with safdonc eyes.
 "An elaborate set, but the gallery, though cheap, is critical" he thought.
 "Mr. John Williams" announced Waters. holding back the curtain.
 The personality of John Williams had screamed from the columns of the press for years in ever growing menace, until now its roar penetrated every home from which, like the barons of old, he exacted tribute.
 His name had entered into the common language. The in the street, when he spoke of being beaten, conquered, tricked, said he had been "Wi- 1iamsed"
 of what use can the social mouse be to this lion of achievement" De Bracy wondered as he advanced to greet him. - This thought, in different fashion, occurred to John Williams, he gazed with contcmptuous curiosity on the before him. Dead generations had taught him to distrust this type The refined aquilnity of the features, deeply tanned, thrown
 
 mans forty years by good ten; the tall, slender figure in its bizarre garb of black satn splashed by the vivid scarlet and pink of wonderful Eastern embroideries; the hands, long, slender, with the pointed fingers familiar in old portraits. made pic foreign to his usual environment that the slight confidence which had sent him his errand disappeared His nod had the curtness of a business mans, rebukng over-polite clerk
 Tin from Hamburger" he said cuttngly.
 Mr-e U1anc at rard -"Wilkns I am very sorry, but afraid MT. Hamburger has made mistake
 "My name is Willams-John Williams, of the United Milling What mistake did he maker
 Excuse me- said De Bracy. My books are full, and Mr. Hamburger does not send me enough clients to justify my keeping any dates open for him. As business man, you will understand my position, MT. Williams" The nod and smile of Oliver Van Corlear De Bracy were unmstakably careless dismissal
 Young man," said the other, his eyes narrowing, "I don't make calls We can do business, guess" The younger Tapped open the lid of bronze cgarette-casket, put paper roll in his teeth, and, turning his back the other, pufed at the flame of a Roman hearth altar, tended by vestal virgin in bronze.
 That depends he said between puffs.
 "On what?" said the older
 "You," said De Bracy.
 "Me? How? An't my credit goode" the ghost of smile fickering on the adamant of his eyes.
 "Your credit financially, MT. Williams, does not concern me. MT. Hamburger is responsible if he sends you"
 "I'1l be damned" said John Williams.
 De Bracy smiled and waved his hand-the gesture might mean anything. e
 Sit down, Mir. Williams; will explain" he said seriously. Will you smoke? No?" He seated him. self in large chair, bending forward and looking into the others eyes with cool directness
 'Mr. Hamburger has doubtless told you, he began in a level voice, "I a tradesman-as you are. My business is the breaking of mesallances My clients range from the royal families of Europe to members of corporations like the billion-dolar iron trust. Now, business man, may put it to you-why should I, with my books full of clients, if not as wealthy, fully liberal you, put them all aside