Cleveland County herald., 1920-04-15
CHAPTER IX-Continued.
12

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 1 lurching and pIunging like a sinking ship; and every downward sWoop drove his fortune upward. Though Fitzhugh'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 tine million mark.
 It was in the beginning of March, while the Metropolitan Opera com pany was playing a two weeks en- gagement at the Auditorium, that he received {tllr0ugh Artie) at his club an invitation to box party given by Mrs. Otis
 "Well. well, tell us how you man. aged it."
 q told her" sputtered Artie, chok- ing with mirth, T told her I had frfghtfully aristocratic fellow putting up at my place who was all the talk of Lunnon. Mondays and Wednesdays l 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 l saw her prick up her ears, and before I left she told me to bring him along. She doesn't know, don n'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"
 No doubt. Sparkle, you've got the brain of 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 90-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 Arties surprise" with commendable 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.
 It was near the end of act two, and he did not know whether Mimi was making merry with the Bohemians in | the Quartier 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 1 lady next her a corset display in Michigan avenue, that his hand found Kathleen's and smothered it in burning pressure.
 'I have loved you" murmured he, very close to her ear, "for three years. Today, in fact, is the annversary- the second of March. Three years ago today I found this"-from under his cuff he slipped a dainty handker- chief of exquisite lace and dropped it in her lap. "i loved it's owner then. 1 love her now. have always loved her. I always shall love her. Every thing I have l owe to her"
 She picked uIs the bit of lace, bent her eyes on it. The warm color had crept from her cheeks. leaving them, if he could have seen, as white as her arms and Shoulders-an exquisite, tine-grained white as pure and as beautiful as the petals of milk-white rose.
 The act vas nearing it's close The ocean Of melody had touched high tide.
 "I am waiting for my answer he whispered
 She made no sign that she heard.
 "If there's any hope, if I've ghost Of ciiance, smile when you look at ,ne again. You needn't speak Only smile"
 Some friends of Mrs. Otis, making an enti' -acte call, had peeped in her box to say "how'do," and Mrs. Otis, diinpljEg and gracious and stout (and watching Der daughter from the cor ner of one cye) stood gosSiping with | them q IpN lnO.DtlllS III luC Ioii iitOA l entrance.
 Ks the lights came on Kathleen had leaned back in her chair pressed her lovely shoulders against the cushions and bleathet deeply. Now she very deliberately walked to the seat her motler had vacated, and, with her back parsiy toward FitzhHgh, she en- gaged herself ill airy conversation with Arte Sparkle and the third man of the party, 8 midde-aged bachelor named thic';ering. Not once had she glanced Eitlaugl,'s way. Not once did she notice '.s existence.
 There is enc thing at which even the most determined of lovers will stor. ai,' that thing is indifference. Indifference raises q wall there is no sculinr.
 ] "lool Fool that I was ever 10 imagine s!,e cared A girl | like her what it,iocy!''