The Oklahoma miner. [volume] (Krebs, Okla.) 1912-192?, 1920-08-05
CHAPTER lx.-continued.

These were busy days for Fitzhugh'
days filled with suspense and excite
ment and acute money fever. by the
end of the year his eutire capital was
tied up in spring wheat, which was
Iurching and plunging like sinking
ship; ana every downward s"oop
drove his fortune upward. lhouEh
Fitzhugh's money was all on paper he
was growing rich with gallOping leaps
and already he was planning deal 10
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-
gugement at the Auditorium, that he
received (thrOugh Artie) at his cluD
an invitation to box party given D9
Mrs. Otis.
"Weu well, tell US how yoa man
aged it,"
Il told her," sputtered Artie, chok-
ing with mirth, 81 told her l had
fIiChtfuuy aristocratic fellow putting
an mt 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 l mentioned
this frightfully aristOcratic fellow
and I saw her prick up her ears, ana
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 thereY
"Oh, yes, indeed. She was in the
room at the time. She'll be dreadfully
surprised, too
mo doubt. Sparkle, you've got the
Drain Of a Napoleon. Going homer
Then I'll take you out in my car"
They left the Union league club to-
gether and entered Fitzhugh's new
3O-horse power automobile glisteninS
at the curb.
The perennial favorite, LA BO-
heme," was sung that evening. In
spite of Mrs. Otis (who had borne
Arties surprise" with commcudable
cOmposure, sending only one terrify-
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 founC
Kathleen's and smothered it 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 ! found this"-from under
his cuff he slipped a dainty handker
chief Of exquisite lace and dropped 4
I'm her lap. 81 loved its owner then
love her now. l have always lOveC
4ltIs tlNtAS SlNll lpNc lltl' A@NCL :
ching I have l owe to her"
She picked up the bit of lace, ben
her eyes on it. The warm color huC
crept from her cheeks, leaving them
If he could have seen, as white a
her arms and shoulders-an exquisite
fne-grained white as pure and a
beautiful as the petals of a milk-whit
rose.
The act was nearing its close. TIL
ocean of melody had touched high tide
Il am waiting for my answer" h
whispered.
She made no sign that she heard.
IF there's any hope, if I've a ghos
of n chance, smile when you look Il
me again. You needn't speak. Onl
smile
Some friends of Mrs. Otis, maxim
an entr'-acte call, had peeped in he
box to say "howdo," and Mrs. OTIS
dimplng and gracious and stout Can
watching her daughter from the col
ner Of one eye) stood gossiping wit
them a few moments In the corrido
entrance.
AS the lights came on Kathleen ha
ieaned back in her chair pressed he
lovely shoulders against the cushion
and breathed deeply. Now she yer
deliberately walked to the seat he
h.aI NaI III l.