The Starkville news., 1920-04-02

vice versa, but certainly as his liba-
tons increased he played the NOR"
recklessly. He distributed his paper
freely. but as he became more intoX.
icuted there was decided reluctance
to the advances. AT length he was
fatty refused and advised to go to
bed
At this point Fltzhugh, who so far
had loaned him nothing. removed the
requested number of chips from his
generous heap and showed them across
the table to ,he tipsy one. who with
much difficulty counted them and gave
in exchange his | O U for five hun
dred dollars. They soon went the
way of the rest, and he sat Slumped
down in his chair. his arms dangling
Imply at either side. his head Sunken,
his mouth open. leering stupidity from
under dropping lids.
FitZhugh caught his wandering eye
Better try another stack. Sparkle"
he invited in friendly way, and be-
gan cutting eff small section of his
chip pile. How many may help
you to. Sparkle|
Artie struggled vaIiantly to speak
distinctly. "A thou-a thou-a hic!
u thouSan'. Of Shap."
With considerable sIowness and de-
liberation the transaction was made.
and FitZhugh pocketpd Artie's o U
for thousand dollars.
The early winter darkness had closed
In before the game ended. and most
of the gamblers were ready for bed.
Very quietly Fitzhugh went in turn
to all those who had taken Artie's
. US and bought them in. In all
they amounted TO over eight thousand
dollars. and the ones he himself held
brought the total to ten thousand five
hundred.
titzhugh was alone in private
compartment of his brokers' office on
Monday morning when. promptly at
ten. Otis entered With brief Good
morning" the capitalist came straight
to the point.
You are with us, FitZhugh?"
Sit down, Otis. Make yourself com.
Portable. Try one of these cigars?
You'll find them Of an excellent fla
vo"."
Otis took cigar from the prof-
1ered case and sat on the edge of the
only remaining chair in the small
room Resting IL long hand on his
Knee he tapped his wry fingers I'M
patiently against his leg. He was
llttle annoyed by FitZhugh's easy cor
diality. He never liked to mix good
fellowship with business
We'll? You are coming in with
us?"
For all am worth"
Good" Otis sat back a little far
ther on his chair and smiled his sat
isiaction. Good for you"
What we want most of all just
now is caSh?"
Yes. and lots of It,"
FiiZhush took out his check book,
rested 1t on the small writing table.
dipped pen in the ink. ~ will give
you my check now for two hundred
thousand"
Otis returned to the edge of his
chalr. I'VE must have at least half
million now, and perhaps five millions
altogether. thought we went into oil
that Saturday night"
so We did. And repeat l am
with you for all am worth"
Otis removed the glasses from his
aqulIne nose, and, twirling them ON
his finger, looked ut the younger maa
inquirngly.
Il don't believe l quite understand
you" he said.
Didn't | speak distinctly? say
again am ready to pool my interests
with yours to the last cent possess"
He opened his check book. filed I'm
the date, stopped with pen poised.
"Will you take my check for two hun.
dred thousand?'
While FitZhusk talked great light
had been dawning upon his caller. 1t
now burst upon him effulgently and
he saw the truth. He stood up.
Il understand, he said icily 81
hardly think there is need for further
words"
He turned to CO. But suddenly the
thought of how simply he had been
taken In" became too much even for
his half-starved sense of humor. lie
stopped at the door.
at was very cleverIy done, he con.
graduated. you are gifted actor"
"Then you won't accept my check?"
mo. This is no game for rabbits
to play in"
Fitzhugh smiled. $50 you think |
am Il rabbit?"
Otis deemed the question unworthy
an answer, and the door closed behind
him.