The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1920-05-27

for that evening.
"We dine at eight" were OTIS part
ing words.
While Fitzhugh entered his brOke er's
Office a minute or two later his mind
dwelt not upon the wheat deal he had
on hand not upon the whirligtg 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 ever
pleasing him.
Yet It was scarcely seven when, at
last satisfied that his appearance
could not be 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 a little
while dinner was announced. and
host and guest repaired to the spa
cious dining room, furnished In the
style OF the Elizabethan period, and
dined-alone.
A black pail enveloped Fitzhugh.
All his sparkle and snap vanished. He
could not, or would not conceal his
chagrin, admirable actor though he
was.
Not until dessert was over did Otis
reveal the basis OF his hospitality 81
had a purpose In meeting you today,
Mr.. Fitzhugh, as l had In inviting
you here tonight"
81 had surmlsed as much"
Otis lighted a cigarette and extin-
guished the wax match with elabo-
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 our victory complete and
we must have more capital
five millions more, at the least" He
stood up. "If you will pardon me a
moment l have something / should
like to show you"
He went out, returning presently
with a 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 mar
ket would continue until May. or even
beyond, selecting, as he talked, divers
papers from the array before him.
them to his auditor. or re-
ferring to them for corroboration.
Ftzhugh. however, seized some
slight excuse for soon interrupting
him, and taking up the thread Of the
carried II along with sureness that
displayed an irreproachable knowledge
)f the subject In hand. When he An
shed several sheets of the paper were
covered with figures and Otis was
regarding him In quite a new light.
"You show a most thorough knowl-
edge Of the wheat market. Mr.. Fitz-
hugh. can see you have studied 1t
very exhaustively."
"Tve studied It for little over a
year."
Otis smiled "Of course you are
jestlng2"
II solemnly assure you that ell
know about wheat have learned in
that length of time. There are some
men. Mr.. Otis. who can learn more
about given subject In a few months
than others can In as many years. It's
as much matter Of work as II is OF
brains, Now. when am sufficiently
enthused over hing I apply myself
TO u. concentrating upon II every fac
uity OF my mind for eighteen, yes.
twenty. hours day, and begrudge the
few hours mus, give to sleep. That
sounds egotistlcal. doesn't it7 But
want you to know the truth Of the
matter"
i like 10 hear man talk that way.
oespise modesty In business. OF
course you are coming In with us7
As ] said. we shall require five addi-
tional millions, perhaps more. to work
the thing properly. There Is no need
now to go into further details. You
understand the situation even better
iran ] do" He paused.
Since this Is Saturday" said Fitz-
hugh. "and since nothing can be
gained by your knowing my decision
before Monday. I shall meet You Mon
DAY morning at ten O'Clock and will
then give you my answer"
A slight frown appeared on Otis
thin face. He began gathering up his
data. "very well. At what placer
AT my brokers'-Shiriey & Co., In
the Merrimac block.
AT ten? Very well. know al
ready what your answer will be-sn
emphatic yes" Suddenly hs stood
up with sweeping gesture. as
though to force into the background
everything pertaining to business.