Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1920-07-29


~ preceded some extraordinary per.
Torrance that kept the name of Fitz-
hugh on the lips Of thousands for
weeks afterward. AS another man
would have turned to drink. so he
turned to STACEY extravaganza. I'm
conventionality was his dissipation,
and In his own way he became intoxi-
Gated
Some four years after that day In
June-four years in which he had seen
kathleen less than a score of times
and had spoken to her less than thrice
-tltzhugh laid the foundation of the
throne upon which he was to reign for
brief but blazing period as King of
Wheat. These four years had bred an
unWholesome change in the man. The
amassing of gold had become his re-
ngion. Its virus had entered his soul,
he allowed nothing to stand between,
crushing all opposition with an iron
hand. Everything was subservient to
but one end, and that end was Money.
All his faculties, all his tireless energy
and zeal and ambition were concen.
trated upon it. Waking or asleep the
thought Of it was always uppermost
dunt, In the erratic meanwhile, had
courageously piloted the deserted shin
knowing its rightful captain would
again take the helm when she came to
himself" More than any other, Henry
Hunt enjoyed the full confidence of
ms chief. He was one Of the very few
who knew Fitzhughs real name and
family history.
Al lrregularly recurring periods
fltzhugh entered the wheat pit, and
"hlle these instances were generally
emblazoned with a burst of histrion-
lcs' ne was never for second blinded
by the glare. When he seemed most
eDulllent he was really most cool-head-
cd. He fooled the pit traders. They
could never quite penetrate his bluff
ing. They perceived his propensity
TOT posing, and made the mistake of
thlnklng him too self-centered to be
alive to his surroundings. While they
were plying him for his rawness his
cruditles, and confidently expecting his
DOWNFALL, he would astonish them by
executing some brilliant coup that sug-
gested deep-laid plans as splendid as
his daring.
When in the conflict of the pit every
fiber of his being was quiveringly
alert. Seemingly absorbed in thinking
OF himself and the effect Of his pos
lures, ne was searching his opponents
faces for the slightest trace of mean
Ing. Not Il tremor of that higgledy-
plggledy turmoil escaped him. Ear
ana eye We're quick to grasp every
variation. He was instantly alive to
every trick, every subterfuge He was
swift to seize upon the merest open
ing, swift to attack the first unprotect-
ed spot. He was the shrewdest of
them all, and he played aN>game none
could understand. Outwardly, the
greenest of bunglers at it, secretively
he Unanswered with master hand.
II was in the winter of this year
mat FltZhugh went deepest into the
wheat pit. He plunged in farther and
farther, and with such apparent reck-
iessness that many times Hunt held
pack, counseling slower and more
cautious gait. But the leader was OBJ
durate. He would listen to no advice.
He rushed yet deeper into the pit,
dragging his hesitating follower with
him. Ensued long months of doubt
ana Embellishments that ground
down the nerve Of one and tried the
mettle of the other. There were times
when 1t seemed they would be wiped
out utterly. Their combined fortunes
were tied up in the deal to the last
cent. All hung in the balance. 1t
was the biggest thing Fitzhugh ever
engineered. If 1t went the wrong way
they would be crushed under it and
obliterated.
The crisis was reached the following
summer. They met afterwards in a
cafe. Hunt was haggard, unkempt He
had fallen off in weight, and his
sunken face bloodshot eyes, trembling
myers, We're signs Of the terrific
strain he had undergone. Fitzhugh. in
marked contrast, never appeared more
fresh or more self-contained They
had ordered champagne, and when
they clinked their glasses he smiled
reassuringly ut his white-faced com
panion. 1t was only the bare flicker of
smile that vanished as suddenly as
1t came. ntzhugh, did not often smile
In those days.
How much did you say we had net
ted, Hunt? Tell me again. It's music
to my ear"
"Three millions and over, Dan.
Three millions and over. Dan" Hunt
leaned impulsively across the table,
seized his friends hand, wrung it with
fervor- Dan. if ever try to advise
you again, dan, I'll never try to
hold you back again as long as live 7"
CHAPTER XIII.