Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1920-07-15
nlsul proved correct when not 10

afterward he met Otis and his wife
one Sunday on the drive. He DOTTED
ms silk hat with a Chesterfieldian
gesture-and was rewarded for his
courtliness by being ignored more
pontedly than if he had been an ut
ter stranger.
Clearly after this there was but one
way for him to see Kathleen, and that
was by the aid of Artie Sparkle.
tltzhugh never required a second at
tempt to scale the citadel of any
home, no matter how Exclusive" that
home might be. He Immediately be-
came 1.-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 it with avidity. his
popularity was of wondrous growth.
He never lacked an audience, nor did
he ever fail to keep one hanging on
his every word.
But Fitzhugh had little time to be
a society pivot. Though he was be-
come a lion he seldom went out to
roar. Only when he believed he
should see Her would he accept any
of the invitations.
These We're busy days for Fitzhugh,
days filled 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
lurching and plunging like sinking
ship; and every downward swoop
drove his fortune upward. Though
fltzhugh's money was all on paper he
was growing rich with galloping leaps,
and already he was planning 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 two weeks en-
gagement at the Auditorium, that he
received Through Artie) at his club
an invitation to box party given by
Mrs. Otis.
"Well, we'll, tell us how you man
aged it,"
81 told her." sputtered Artie, chok-
ing with mirth, 81 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
chap who was to have rounded out her
party tonight had failed her at the
last moment, and then mentioned
this frightfully aristocratic fellow,
and saw her prick up her ears, and
before 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?"
"Oh. 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
9O-horse power automobile glistening
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 "AIimi"
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 "Rodolfos" attic, and he did
not know whether Mrs. Otis was
watching him or discussing with the
lady next her corset display in
Michigan avenue. that his hand found
kathleen's and smothered it in
burning pressure.
Il have loved you," murmured he.
very close to her ear. "for three years.