The Starkville news., 1920-03-26

~ yNu iC uil bIuh oO.
You're not rich?"
"Rich?" Fitzhugh laughed. "All I've
got In the world is this check and
thousand or so on deposit"
Hunt gaped ut him dumbly. Al
though his worst suspicion had been
verified. he was none the less astound-
ed. He could not reconcile himself to
the staggering fact.
"Ill stop payment on that check
I'll"
mo. you won't, Hunt. You could
never prove that you're right and
wrong-never. There was only an
oral agreement. you know. Besides, !
gave you my check for twenty thou
sand when we planned the DEAL
have the voucher in my pocket now.
Care to see it? No? All right. But.
you see, of course, there's no chance
for you. We were partners. as my
voucher shows-and you know the
law. I'd thought of all of these little
things long ago, Hunt"
Hunt doubled his fists and gared
at FitZhugh. Yet, even in that angry
moment. he could not but admire the
shrewdness of the man.
.Fitzhugh leaned across the table his
face grown suddenly very earnest. "If
you want TO get rich-immensely rich
you'll hold on to me. | shan't for
get what you've done for me in hur-
ry, and some day I'm going to be able
to repay you hundred times over
About year ago on a capital of one
dollar, given to me- | made a turning
point in my life. Today | am worth.
roughly. one hundred thousand dollars.
Some years from today viii be worth
millions. 1t Is coming as sure as fate.
What are you going to do. Hunt? Are
you going to stand by me, or are you
going to break with me? Give me your
answer now-this minute"
Hunt did not meet the speakers
eyes. hut looked away. his gaze wan
dering about the glittering grill. Then.
as the needle is drawn by the magnet
he turned back and looked into the
powerful young face opposite. And
who shall say?-perhaps. by some
flash of preScience. he saw FitZhugh
not as he was then. but as he would be
in after years, u iuggIer Of millions.
Perhaps he saw that here was q man
who was a born leader of men. Per
hups he saw in that momentary flash
another of those men who have made
Chicago the Wonder City-the City
of Purple DreanS-another Of those
who, rising from the depths of obscur-
ity, have amaSSed fortunes achieved
| power. beside which the most eXtrava-
CANT fiction appears puerle. He
thrust his hand across the table.
lin with you, Dan" he said.
| 1t was in the following December.
holidays. that FitZhugh was intro
duced to Symington Otis. This day
was notable one for renewing casual
| acquaintances.
The past year, although 1t had
added not little to his capital, had
failed to carry Fitzhugh as high as
he had intended it should. He had
suffered many reverses. for his reck!
less habit of plunglng often carried
him backward as well cs forward. But
these setbacks. If keenly disappoint-
ing, were not discouraging. nor were
they improbable. He learned by
each of them, using them as stepping
stones. He never made the same mis-
take twice.
Attired fautlessly, cigar between
his teeth malacca stick under his
arm, he was standing in the rotunda
of the Board of Trade that December
morning. reading kilograms just hand
ed to him, when Otis entered. accom-
panied by three or four men, among
whom was Hunt. Otis had glanced
several times at the striking, black
bearded man standing short distance
away absorbed In opening and scan
ming The yellow telegrams before he
asked:
"Who is that fellow? Anyone you
know?'
He indicated Fitzhugh, and the 9TH
ers glanced In his direction.
THE greatest financial genius" said
Hunt, "Ive ever known"
Otis lacked again at Fitzhugh. who
had finished his kilograms and was
moving Off Majestic looking devil"
he observed. might make q frst-cass
villain for melodrama. I've noticed
him several times of late. believe
suppose you call him over, Hunt?
think I'd like to meet him."
With glad acquiescence Hunt hur-
ried after Fitzhugh and caught him ex.
citedly by the shoulder.
"What do you think, Dan2" he cried
joyouSly.
Fitzhugh dropped his cane in mock