The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1920-06-24
CHAPTER DISCONTINUED.

CHAPTER IH.-Continued.
b
These were busy days for FitZhugh
days filed with suspense and excite
ment and acute money fever. By the
end of the year his entire capital was
tied up in spring wheat. which was
lurchlng and plunging like a sinking
ship; and every downward swool
drove his fortune upward. Though
Fitzhugh's money was all on paper he
was growing rich with galloping leaps
and already he was planning a deal to
follow that might send his fortune
soaring toward the million mark.
1t was in the beginning of March,
while the Metropolitan Opera com
pany was playing a two weeks en-
gagement at the Auditorium, that he
received Through Artie) at his club
an Invitation to a box party given by
Mrs. Otis.
"Well, well, tell us how you man.
aged it,
ct told her" sputtered Artie, chok-
ing with mirth. Il told her 1 had a
frightfully aristocratic fellow putting
up at my place who was all the talk
of Lunnon. Mondays and Wednesdays
are her opera nights, dOn'tcher know,
and she'd just been telling me that a
chap who was to have rounded out her
party tonight had failed her at the
last moment, and then 1 mentioned
this frightfully aristocratic fellow,
and l saw her prick up her ears, and
before I left she told me to bring him
along. She doesn't know, don'tcher
know, it's you, and she'll be dread
fully
Her daughter will be there?"
ooh, yes, indeed She was in the
room at the time. She'll be dreadfully
surprised, too"
mo doubt. Sparkle, you've got the
brain of a Napoleon. Going home?
Then I'll take you out in my car"
They left the Union league club to-
gether and entered Fitzhugh's new
90-horse power automobile glfstening
at the curb.
The perennial favorite, La Bo-
heme," was sung that evening. In
spite of Mrs. Otis (who had borne
Artie's surprise" with commendable
compOsure, sending only one terribly
ing glance at that rash joker, Fitz-
hugh cOntrived to sit near Kathleen,
and by the time 'ROdOlfO" and mimi"
had chOrused "AmOre" he was subtly
making love to her, saying little by
word of mouth but speaking volumes
with eye and mien.
1t was near the end of act two. and
he did not know whether Mimi" was
making merry with the Bohemians in
the Quarter Latin or dying of starva-
ton in "Rodolfo's" attic, and he did
not know whether Mrs. Otis was
watching him Or discussing with the
lady next her a corset display in
Michigan avenue, that his hand found
Kathleen's and SnOthered il in
burning pressure.
81 have loved you" murmured he,
very close to her ear, ''for three years.
Today, in fact, Is the anniversary
the second Of March. Three years
ago today I found this"-from under
his cuff he slipped a dainty handker
chief of exquisite lace and dropped it
In her lap. 81 loved its owner then.
her. l always shall love her. Every
LuAUS nave L owe 10 n6I.
She picked up the bit of lace, bent
her eyes on it. The warm color had
crept from her cheeks, leaving them,
If he could have seen, as white as
her arms and shoulders-an exquisite,
fine-grained white as pure and as
beautiful as the petals of a miIk-white
rose.
The act was nearing it's close. The
ocean of melody had touched high tide.
81 am waiting for my answer" he
whispered.
She made no sign that she heard.
IF there's any hope, IF I've a ghost
of a chance, smile when you look at
me again. You needn't speak Only
smile"
Some friends of Mrs. Otis, making
an entr'-acte call. had peeped in her
box to say ''how'do," and Mrs. Otis,
dimpling and gracious and stout (and
watching her daughter from the cor
ner of one eyel stood gosSiping with
them q few moments in the corridor
entrance.
AS the lights came on Kathleen had
leaned back in her chair, pressed her
lovely shoulders against the cushions
and breathed deeply. Now she very
deliberately walked to the seat her
mother had vacated. and, with her
back partly toward Fitzhugh, she en-
gagged herself in airy conversation
with Artie Sparkle and the third man
of the party. a middle-aged bachelor
named Chickering. Not once had she
glanced Fitzhugh's way. Not once did
she notice his existence.
There is one thing at which even
the most determined Of lovers will
stop. and that thing is indifference.
Indifference raises a wall there is no
scaling.
-Fooli :. Fool that 1 was ever
TO imagine she cared :. A girl
like her-what fdiocy!"
He determined that when the act
ended he would excuse himself on
some pretext and -ush into the streets,
and walk and walk. as he had walked
on this same night three years ago.
He did not look very far beyond
that. Only he repeated to himself
that for him everything was over Ali
his ambitions. all his dreams and aspi-