nd. She
was not to learn until afterward his object in having the marriage take
place on the morning of September 23d, two hours before the time set
for the turning over of the Sedgwick millions. If all went well they
would be Brewster's millions before twelve o'clock, and Peggy's life of
poverty would cover no more than three hours of time. She believed him
worth a lifetime of poverty. So they would start the new life with but
one possession--love.

Peggy rebelled against his desire to spend the seventy dollars that
still remained, but he was firm in his determination. They would dine
and drive together and see all of the old life that was left--on
seventy dollars. Then on the next day they would start all over again.
There was one rude moment of dismay when it occurred to him that Peggy
might be considered an "asset" if she became his wife before nine
o'clock. But he realized at once that it was only demanded of him that
he be penniless and that he possess no object that had been acquired
through the medium of Edwin Peter Brewster's money. Surely this wife
who was not to come to him until his last dollar was gone could not be
the product of an old man's legacy. But so careful was he in regard to
the transaction that he decided to borrow money of Joe Bragdon to buy
the license and to pay the minister's fee. Not only would he be
penniless on the day of settlement, but he would be in debt. So changed
was the color of the world to him now that even the failure to win
Sedgwick's millions could not crush out the new life and the new joy
that had come to him with the winning of Peggy Gray.

CHAPTER XXXI

HOW THE MILLION DISAPPEARED

Soon after noon on the 22d of September, Monty folded his report to
Swearengen Jones, stuck it into his pocket and sallied forth. A parcel
delivery wagon had carried off a mysterious bundle a few minutes
before. Mrs. Gray could not conceal her wonder, but Brewster's answers
to her questions threw little light on the mystery. He could not tell
her the big bundle contained the receipts that were to prove his
sincerity when the time came to settle with Mr. Jones. Brewster had
used his own form of receipt for every purchase. The little stub
receipt books had been made to order for him and not only he but every
person in his employ carried one everywhere. No matter how trivial the
purchase, the person who received a dollar of Brewster's money signed a
receipt for the amount. Newsboys and