The Starkville news., 1920-04-02

ing a cigarette, began pacing nerv
uusly to and fro. Tossing the cign
rette aside, he sat down, resting his
elbow on his knee. and passed hi
hand shakily across his brow.
II can't do anything for you now
he muttered. without looking up
My allowance Is overdrawn and I'm
in a hole. You'll have to wait. that's
ALL"
"Have I said wouldn't?" suggested
FitZhugh.
Artie looked up quickly, a sudden
glad hope leuping to his pale eyes.
Then you won't press me for it?"
he wondered eagerly.
Il may not ask you for 1t at all.
l may make you a Christmas present
OF the entire batch. if you"
"Only command me! I'll do any
thing You say"
"The last three days" continued
t1tzhugh. watching the effect of his
words, "Pve had detectives working
Tor me on rather delicate matter. They
were making a secret investigation OF
you and your family. know to
hicety your financial status. your So
cial standing, and knew before
came here that you were unusual;
hard up at present. need social
valet. and I'm willing to give you the
job"
My deah fellow"
81 shall want to join the best clubs.
Your part is obvious. You will intro,
duce me to people whom wish to
meet, you will procure me the entree
10 homes wish to enter. There will
be other commissions which shall
give you from time to time. and as
you fulfill them will return. one by
one, your | o US"
The effect of the proposal upon Ar
tie was somewhat singular. He
screwed up his mouth in IudcrouS
manner and emitted a sound that was
cross between a baby's crow of de-
light and the screech of peacock.
ITS eXcruciating he cried. when
he found his breath. It'll be fright
lul fun" He sObered suddenly. "Aw-
| say One teeny-weeny peep at the
slips. what?"
fitzhugh slowed him the o US
and he nodded his head brightly.
Then his mirtn overcalne him second
| time and he went off into another peal
of d, light.
While fftzhugh sat watching him 10
critical silence servant entered and
announced several callers.
Ask 'em TO todGle riLht in." Then,
turning on FitZhugh: "Tll try you on
my friends-whatt" He smiled pret.
tily.
II suppose | can stand It," f
The four or five young men who en-
tered were. for the most part. of Ar.
ties class. They were tluccid. listleSs,
seemingly consumed with ennui and
a-weary of the world. They talked
languldly of ;ailors and different
makes OF motOrcars They EXPIRE rsed
lukewarm preferences for cer'ain
brand of cigarette or a particular kind
OF mixed drink. None had any ind.
viduality hut all were cut from he
same pattern.
Some time la ,er. in the street be-
low, Fitzhugh paused moment in
the falling snow and spoke feelngly
to himself
ITS enough" said he, ito make a
man stop posing"
Then he went home. addressed an
envelope to Kathleen Otis. slipped
therein one-dollar bill and after 1t
card, upon which he wrote:
May you have Merry Christmas
is the wish Of him who bought the
soap and water"
|
Fitzhugh planned well In making
Artie his social valet" After that
Monday conference in his brokers
Office he had Surinised the relations
between himself and Otis would
thenceforth he unamicable His sur
miSal proved correct when not long
afterward he met Otis and his wife
one Sunday on the drive. He doffed
| his silk hat with CheStertieldian
geSture-and was rewarded for his
courtliness by being ignored more
pointedy than If he had been an ut
ter stranger
Clearly after this there was hut one
way for him to see Kathleen. and thai
was by the aid of Artie Sparkle
Fitzhugh never required a second at.
tempt to scale the citadel OF any
home, no matter how Exclusive" that
home might be. He Immediately he.
came 'the sensation" wherever he
went. What with his distinguished
appearance. his flashing wit. his skill
at repartee. and, above all else. his
gift of adapting himself readily to any
role and playing 1t with avidity, his
nOnulnritY was of q WOndrOlIS growth