Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1920-09-15
CHAPTER Discontinued.



-13-
These were busy days for Fitzhugh.
days filed 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
lurching and plunging 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 the million mark.
II was In the beginning of March.
while the Metropolitan Opera com
pany was playing two weeks en-
gagement at the Auditorium, that ne
received (through Artie) at his club
an invitation to box party given by
Mrs. Otis
well, we'll, tell us how yoa man
aged it,"
II told her. sputtered Artie, chok-
ing with mirth. II told her had
frlghtfully aristocratic fellow putting
up at 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. End then | mentioned
this frightfuliy aristocratic fellow.
and / 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"
''IIer daughter will he thereT
ooh, yes. indeed. She was in the
room al the time. She'll be dreadfully
surprised, too"
mo doubt. Sparkle. you've got the
brain Of "A Napoleon. Going homer
Then I'll take you out 10 my car"
They left the Union League club to-
gether and entered FftZhugh's new
90-horse power automobile glistening
at the curb.
The perennial favorite, LA Boz
heme." was sung that evening. 10
spite of Mrs. Otis (who had borne
Artie's Surprise" with commendable
cOmposure. sending only one terribly
Ing glance at that rash joker. Fitz-
hugh eOntriyed to sit near Kathleen.
aud 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.
II was near the end OF act tSO, and
he did not know whether mimi" was
making merry with the Bohemlans In
the Quarter Latin or dying of starva-
tlon in "Rodolfo's" attic, and he did
not know whether Mrs. Otis was
watching him or discussing with the
Iadys next her corset display In
Michigan avenue. that his hand found
Knthleens and smothered 1t In a
burning pressure.
I'll have loved you," murmured he,
very close 70 her ear, "for three years
Today. In fnct, il the anniversary
the second of March. Three years
ago today found this"--from under
his cuff he slipped u dainty handker-
chief of exquisite lace and dropped 1t
la her Imp II loved it's owner then.
/ love her now. | have always loved
her. always shall love her. Every
thing have owe to her.
She picked up the bit OF lace bent
her eyes on II. The warm color haze
crept from her cheeks. leaving then,
If he could have seen, as white as
her arms and shoulders--an exquisite.
fine grained white % pure and us
beautiful as the PETALS Of mlk-white
rose,
The act vas nearing its close. The
ocean of MELODY hRd touched higl&tide.
Il am waiting for my answer" he
whispered.
She made no sign that she heard.
IF there's any hope. II I've a ghost
OF chance, smile when you look at
me again. You needn't speak. Only
smile"
Some friends Of Mrs. Otis, making
an entr' -acte call, had peeped In her
box 10 say "how'do." aud Mrs. Otis,
dimpling and gracious and stout land
watching her daughter from the cor
ner of one EYED stood goSsiping with
them few moments in the corridor
entrance.
As the lights came on Kathleen had
leaned back in her chait. pressed her
lovely shoulders against the cushions
and breathed deeply. Now she very
deliberately walked to the seat her
mother had vacated, and. with her
back partly toward Fitzhugh, she en-
gagged herself In airy conversation
with. Artie Sparkle and the third man
of the party, middle-aged bachelor
named ChickerinG. Not once had she
glanced Fitahughs way. Not once did
she notice his existence.
There is one thing at which even
the most determined Of lovers will
stop, and taat thing is indifference.
Indifference raises a wall there Is no
scaling
Fool Fool that was ever
10 imagine she cared A girl
like her-what Idiocyi"
He determined that when the act
ended he would excuse himself on
some pretext and ~1Sh into the streets,
and walk and walk. as he had walked
on this same night three years ago.
He did not look very far beyond