The Starkville news., 1920-03-26
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OtIS received the manuate WltH
mingled astoniShment and admiration.
Then he smiled and did as he was
told. While Fitzhugh looked down
into Otis steel-gray eyes, shaking the
lean hand ind exchanging perfunctory
words of pleasure. he thought of that
other time. less than two years ago.
when he had faced this man. had
threatened his life. had forced him
to sign check for ten thousand dol
lars. Less than two years-but how
much had happened since! The In.
PRODUCTION led to a dinner invitation
for that evening.
1--WE dine at eight" were Otis part.
ing words
While Fitzhugh entered his brokers
office minute or two later his mind
dwelt not upon the wheat deal he had
on hand, not upon the whirligig of
Fate, nor yet upon the man whom he
had just left. He was thinking solely
of Kathleen Otis
He dressed with such extraordinary
care that Haki despaired of even
pleasing him.
Yet 1t was scarcely seven when. at
last satisfied that his appearance
could not he improved upon, he
swung out Of the marble entrance of
the apartment building and walked up
the drive toward Otis home, quar-
ter OF mile away. The same stout
butler whom he had once roughly
treated met him at the door. Otis re-
! ceived him In the library. In IL little
while dinner was announced, and
host and guest repaired to the spa.
clous dining room. furnished in the
style of the Elizabethun period. and
dined-alone.
black pail enveIoped Fitzhugh.
All his sparkle and snap vanished. He
could not, or would not. conceal his
cllaSrin. admirable actor though he
was
Not until dessert was over did Otis
reveal the basis of his hospitality. "a
bad a purpose in meeting you today
MIR. FitzhugL, as | had In inviting
you here tonight"
u had surmised as much"
Otis lighted Il cigarette and extin.
gulshed the wax match with elubo
rate care. 81 understand. Mr.. Fitz
hugh, that you are very wealthy
man."
Fitzhugh inclined his head.
Briefly what | have to say Is this
In the Chicago wheat pit there is a
certain clique of bulls whom | and
three other men desire to rout. AL.
ready we have them on the run, but
to make cur victory complete and
thorough we must have more capital
hve millions more. at the least" He
stood up. "If you will pardon me d
moment ! have something | should
like to show you.
He went out. returning presently
| with large envelope and pad of
writing paper. Taking seat near his
| guest he removed the contents of the
envelope and spread them upon the
table. now cleared of everything save
a vase Of flowers and some brandy
and cigarettes. With characteristic
precision he began detailing his rea-
sons for believing the then panic.
stricken condition of the wheat mur.
ket would continue until May. or even
beyond, selecting. as he talked. divers
| papers from the array before him
submitting them to his auditor. or re-
ferring to them for corrCboratlon
Fitzhugh. however, seized some
slight excuse for soon nterruptine
him. and taking up the thread of the
argument where he had broken it,
carried it along with sureness that
displayed an irreproachab'e knowledge
of the subject in hand. When he fin
ished several sheets Of the paper were
covered with figures and Otis was
regarding him In quite new light.
"You show most thorough knowl.
edge of the wheat market, Mr.. Fitz-
hugh. ] can see you have studied 1t
very exhaustvely."
"Tve studied 1t for a little over a
year."
Otis smiled. "Of course you are
| jestng|
u solemnly assure you that all |
know about wheat l. have learned In
that length Of time. There are some
men. Mr.. Otis, who can learn more
about given subject In few months
than others can In as many years. It's
as much n matter of work as it is of
| brains Now. when | am sufficiently
enthused over thing apply myself
to 1t. concentrating upon 1t every fac
ulty of my mind for eighteen. yes,
twenty, hours a day, and begrudge the
few hours must give to sleep. That
sounds egotistical doesn't it2 But
! want you to know the truth OF the
matter"
tTo BE CONTINUED.)