Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1920-07-22
laughing shrilly -

Daniel?" laughing shrilly - the
crowds, and how l was swept into
your arms, and the speeches you made,
first in the street, and then"
Esther! Esther Do you realize
where you are? Twelve or fifteen
persons are waiting outside to see me,
and their time and mine means
money!"
Her "reminiscences trailed off into
silence.
Money"
Then all at once a terrific change
came over her. She sprang up tiger
ishly, swept the chair aside, rushed
toward the door.
He was there first, however, and
stood with his back against it, barring
her way.
You will not leave this Office" he
declared, "until-"
open that door,"
| until YOU listen to reason"
"Open that door, open that door!
| I'll scream !"
You may so when you've promised
ME
| open that door,"
| Out of all patience. angry and hui
| inflated, he threw the door open, and
saw her run the gaping gauntlet in the
outer office. He closed the door quiet
| ly and summoned messenger. His
nostrils We're dilated, his face white,
his lower front teeth We're locked firm
ly over the upper ones. He sat at his
desk, took a pad of telegraph forms
from drawer. and with hand as
steady as the mahogany on which it
rested he wrote the following, address
ing it Secret Services" "a dement,
ed woman who imagines she has been
wronged by the Russian ambassador
Will arrive in Washington from Chica-
go. Watch all trains for her. She is
slightly built, has dark hair and eyes
and is dressed in black. Fl. D. F."
Some while after five o'clock Fitz-
hugh sat at the telephone on his locked
desk, his hat on, an unlighted cigar be-
tween his teeth, delivering the custom
airy order for violets. With a final adj
monltion to the florist to send nothing
except the best, he hung up" AS he
1ghted his cigar and swung out of his
ONCE he met messenger, who hand
ed HIM square envelope. Embossed
on the back was lone Thousand Lake
Shore Drive" and it contained a very
brief and formal request for an inn
mediate call from him at that address.
The chauffeur was waiting with the
car in Adams street. Fitzhugh settled
back comfortably in the cushioned seat
as the chauffeur picked his way
through the mass of traffic, and all
the cares and worries of that busy day
slipped gratefully from him, leaving
him serene with contentment.
He was received in the library of
Mr.. and Mrs. Otis. There was no sign
of Kathleen; and glance at her pa
rents sufficed to apprise him he was in
for disagreeable time. They re-
manned standing after he entered; nor
was he asked to sit down. Mrs. Otis
haughtily stationed as far from him
T.,
appointed herself spokeswoman.
Our daughter" said she, lifting
formidable lorgnette to her eyes and
staring at him as though he were the
garbage man, "has informed us of her
unfortunate alliance with you"
He bowed respectfully.
II need hardly say to you"-and her
head rS.sed higher, her hauteur waxed
stiff-"that you must consider this en-
gagement broken. Furthermore you
will regard your undetermined ac-
quaintance with our daughter as
though it had never been. All com
munication with her of whatever ma
ture must cease instantly. That, l be-
lieNe, is ALL
If Mrs. Otis had expected to inf1ict
shock she triumphed amply. If she
mad hoped to witness its manifestation
she was woefully disappointed. The
crash struck its victim as thunder
bolt; but beyond a sudden tension
that gripped every muscle of him, he
betrayed never a sign of the impact.
Outwardly he was almost if not quite
as self-possessed as when he entered
the house
Miss Otis-does she know this?"
What question:" she gasped.
"Why, 1t Is she who"
"Dont!" He started forward i'm
pulsively. the blood mounting hotly to
his face But ere his composure de-
parted irretrievably-'I beg your par
don. May know the reason?"
1.-THE reason" she said Jelly, wish
ing his discontinue were more pro-
nounced, lis disgraceful. Most dis
graceful"-lunging with the superla-
tive "Today-this very afternoon, in
fact-your-I--" She floundered
helplessly in muddle Of words. The
starched formality she had deemed
sufficient to crush the presumption of
any man wilted before his steady gaze,
his calm sternness. She turned APP
pealingly to her husband, who, hay
ing held very unwilling silence at
her prior behest, came gladly to the
rescue.
II had best deal with this man