Picture Stories Magazine (Sept 1914-Feb 1915)

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154 BREWSTER'S MILLIONS the yacht, for now everyone knew that he liad gone through his million, and was practically a beggar. The salvage he had had to pay had left him only a few thousands; these he had managed to spend in the few ■days since his landing. No remonstrances had checked him. De Mille had done his best ; it had been in vain. And now, with the million spent and his receipts ready for Jones and the lawyers, Monty had gone back to the old home with the Grays. He had sold all his clothes to a junk dealer ; he ■owned nothing but the one suit. In his pocket he had about fifty dollars. Peggy, with tears in her eyes, met him — and wondered at his jubilant air. 'Cheer up, Peggy ! " he said. " It's been a nightmare — but to-morrow I begin a new life — or, rather, I go back to the old one. I'm going to be the same old Monty Brewster again ! " " The old Monty ! " she said softly. "Oh — if that is so, it's worth all the money you've thrown away." Something in her voice made him look at her. He took her hand. Peggy ! " he said. "Look at me. Don't you believe in me 1 " Slowly, timidly, she raised her eyes to his. Oh — I do — yes, I do!" she cried, joyfully. Monty — you've changed since we came home — since yesterday ! I do believe you're going to make a fresh start and be happy —money or no money." I am!" he said. "Peggy — if you believe that — could you — would you — ^dare I ask you to share it with me ? Oh, I know I've been a fool — I was blind — I went off after a girl who isn't fit to tie your shoelaces. But it's yo\i I've loved — always." She stared at him incredulously. But his eyes convinced her. Monty ! " she said, " Oh, my dear — how long it took you to find it out ! Monty — I'm glad you're poor — glad — glad ! " For a time there were no words between them. Then Monty started. Will you marry me to-morrow morning?" be said. "Early"? It's my birthday— and I want to make this fresh start with you." For a moment she hesitated. Then : Yes, I will," she said, bravely. * Fine ! " he said. " Just one more burst of extravagance, dearest. We must celebrate— I've got enough to hire a car and have a good quiet dinner all to ourselves." " Monty!" she said reproachfully. "Your last cent " " I've got prospects." he said, gaily. " Several jobs — and — oh, lots of things ! " Not to tell her his news was the hardest thing he had ever had to do. But he managed it, and he wore down her objections. They had a glorious time ! What newly engaged couple could not forget even poverty and a lost million. But that night, when he took her home, he found a message from Grant and Ripley that frightened him. It summoned him to their office. They were waiting for him. " My boy," said Grant, " I've got terrible news. I haven't told you before, because I felt it could do no good, and I've hoped for the best. But for three weeks we've had no word from Swearengen Jones ! He has converted all the estate of Mr. Sedgwick into cash — and he has totally disappeared." It was a bolt from the blue. Monty stared at them. "Then — there will be no millions'?" he gasped. ' I've thrown away the substance to grasp at a shadow 1 " "I'm afraid so, "said Grant. "We've waited till the last moment, hoping that he would clear up the mystery — he's a bit of an eccentric. But out in Butte, Montana, they're worried about him. They think he's met with foul play. It may be that he will turn up yet^but " " It's all in the game," said Monty. " I've got my health — and I'm going to be married in the morning. Thank God, I can still go to work." Not a word of reproach for them. That was Monty. His million and Swearengen Jones had brought out the real stuff in him, after all. He exulted in the knowledge that Peggy trusted him enough to marry him in spite of everything. And not once, though when he had asked her he had expected to be richer than ever when she became his wife, did he think of backing out or even of waiting. He had been tried in the fire — and the flame had only tempered him. But when the morning came and he saw her he felt that he was free to explain to her at last — and he did. "You see, I had a reason for my folly, dear," he said. "And I wasn't brute enough to ask you to share my poverty." "Ah, but I'm going to ! " she said. " Somehow I knew you were in the right all the time, Monty. I trusted you ! " Joe Bragdon and Elon Gardner had made