The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1920-03-25

mansion Of fiamboyant architecture
iron fence, both OF which plainly ex-
plotted the idiosyncrasy of some mil
lonairp. One of the lower windows
was raised and through the shrubbery
he saw silhouetted therein an elderly
man, white Of hair, patrician Of as
pect, lean OF face. reading news
paper. Fitzhugh. peering between the
iron rails Of the Brobdingnaglan fence,
/ regarded him minute, walked on a
! few PAGES, returned, and watched him
/ again, not unlike some Indian chief
/ tain gloating over a helpless captive.
! or sudden. as one who plunges
/ into cold shower on frosty morn
ing he laid hold OF the mammoth gate,
which seemed To weigh tons swung It
back on its huge hinges, walked to
the front door and vigorously worked
the knOCker.
After an appreclabIe walt the door
was opened. What Is TT" inquired
the butler, who In one brief glance
seemed to appralse the callers flnan-
cIal status and social standing.
MANY things. First the name Of
the gentleman who is sitting In the
room to my right engrossed in the
morning news"
what is your business?"
Answer me firstl" ordered Fitz-
hugh sternly. and with such an air Of
hauteur and authority that the sa-
p!ent menial was almost In panic
for fear he had misjudged his man.
THAT is Mr.. Symington Otis. SIR"
II wish TO see him. Be so good as
to tell him So"
"Who shall | say. sir?"
Fitzhugh hesitated q moment, and,
like a lightning panorama, there
flashed across his mind telegraphic
pictures Of myriad hands applauding
him, Of the warm-blooded Russian,
whose eyes bespoke her love for him,
of the dark-skinned "reds" voicing
their iconoclastic views. And a whim-
sical idea came.
"Tell Mr.. Otis" said he, that an
emissary Of the Cause desires to speak
with him."
The butler, though not understand
ing, was instantly suspicious.
II am afraid" he demurred. with a
Is very busy and will be unable to
see you"
Fitzhugh thrust his foot between
the closing door and the wall and at
that moment Mr.. Otis stepped into the
hall.
"Well, Noonan7"
"This man, sir. Is trying to force his
way In. / am just about to eject him.
sir"
Fitzhugh laughed merrily. "Oh, no,
you're not, Noonan." And before the
corpulent Noonan could say a word
or move q muscle he was seized III q
grip Of steel and thrust speechless
against the wall.
The master looked on as though un-
certain whether to be amused or in
dignant. While he was deciding Fitx-
hugh confronted him.
"Mr. OTIS" said he, 81 want a few
minutes talk with you"
Otis smiled. 81 think you've earned
an audience with me. Nerve like yours
should not 60 unrswarded" They en-
tered the shadowy room, ostensibly
library.
"What can do for your"
"Just a moment" Fitzhugh drew
the sliding doors. which led to the
hall, together and fastened the clasp,
having frst deposited his newspaper
parcel very carefully upon the floor.
He looked around the room, and, sat
isfled they were free from Interrupt
ton, picked up his parcel and took
all these movements with frown of
suspicion and annoyance.
When Fitzhugh spoke his voice had
the deep, resonant ring 1t always ac-
quired whenever he was "acting"
part or exercising his oratorical gift.
"Mr. OTIS" he began. leaning forward
In his chair and looking his auditor
steadily in the eye,l "you are a million.
aire. are you mott"
Otis frown deepened. He glanced
impatiently at his watch. II can spare
you but little time this morning" he
said, with polite curtness. II must
ask that you state your business as
briefly as possible"
"But you are q millionairs7".
"Yes, yes. What Of itf'
"And ! am pauper. At this mo-
ment ! could not buy-this nswspa-
per-" He took from the library table
the morning paper Otis had been
reading. It was folded In such wise
that large hashlight photograph Inn
medlately caught his eye. He recog-
nized II nstantly-recognized the tall,
/ straight figure In the white sweater
standing above the blur Of faces. arms
thrown upwards and outwards. head
back, eyes closed. He lived over again
that brief moment Of glory. and the
exaltatIon he had felt returned two
fold. He cast the paper aside and
threw himself into the role he was
playing with redoubled zest.
! .Mr. Otis"--and h