money, but suddenly he found himself hoping that the surgeons would be generous with their charges. He almost suffered a relapse when Lotless, visibly distressed, informed him that the total amount would reach three thousand dollars. 

 "And what is the additional charge for the operation?" asked Monty, unwilling to accept such unwarranted favors. 

 "It's included in the three thousand," said Lotless. "They knew you were my friend and it was professional etiquette to help keep down expenses." 

 For days Brewster remained at Mrs. Gray's, happy in its restfulness, serene under the charm of Peggy's presence, and satisfied to be hopelessly behind in his daily expense account. The interest shown by the inquiries at the house and the anxiety of his friends were soothing to the profligate. It gave him back a little of his lost self-respect. The doctors finally decided that he would best recuperate in Florida, and advised a month at least in the warmth. He leaped at the proposition, but took the law into his own hands by ordering General Manager Harrison to rent a place, and insisting that he needed the companionship of Peggy and Mrs. Gray. 

 "How soon can I get back to work, Doctor?" demanded Monty, the day before the special train was to carry him south. He was beginning to see the dark side of this enforced idleness. His blood again was tingling with the desire to be back in the harness of a spendthrift. 

 "To work?" laughed the physician. "And what is your occupation, pray?" 

 "Making other people rich," responded Brewster, soberly. 

 "Well, aren't you satisfied with what you have done for me? If you are as charitable as that you must be still pretty sick. Be careful, and you may be on your feet again in five or six weeks." 

 Harrison came in as Lotless left. Peggy smiled at him from the window. She had been reading aloud from a novel so garrulous that it fairly cried aloud for interruptions. 

 "Now, Nopper, what became of the ball I was going to give?" demanded Monty, a troubled look in his eyes. 

 "Why, we called it off," said "Nopper," in surprise. 

 "Don't you remember, Monty?" asked Peggy, looking up quickly, and wondering if his mind had gone trailing off. 

 "I know we didn't give it, of course; but what date did you 

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