The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1920-07-22
CHATTER xIII.-contInu.d.

JuIy,S gone TO dollar and neIr J!
Without answering. without even
looking at the man, he stood watch
ing the monster turmoil. The uproar
was deafening.
The old Spectator turned away.
Very carefully, very slowly, he made
his way through the hurly-burly, de-
scended the steps that led to the
ground floor, his hand sliding jerkily
along the banister. When ne entered
his brokers' Office his hair was no more
white than his face, and as he sat
down and held his hand a moment over
his eyes his fingers trembled as one az
nicted with palsy. It was the first time
In his twenty-odd years Of specializing
that he had been seen unnerved. He
looked at his broker and shook his
head.
Hes done It." he said, with a pitia-
BILE pretense OF smiling. Hes done
1t, Howard. He's got US. He's cor
nered the market"
Authoritative news of the corner
went out over the land. The name OF
Daniel Randolph Fitzhugh doomed
gigantic on the financial horizon. He
exact for it whatever price he wanted
If he chose, he could get fifty dollars
q buShel.
He was the King of Wheat.
His name became a household word.
Scarcely a man, woman, or child in the
middle West but prattled of him. The
FARMERS lauded him as benefactor of
humanity. Others condemned him as
thief. Thousands of letters of every
description flooded his mail. Loaves
OF bread dwindled in size. Mutterings
reached him. His life was threatened.
His wealth multiplied with prodi-
gtous leaps. At no time could he tell
how much he was worth He knew 1t
was more than fifteen millions and less
than thirty.
Then there came a day when he was
20 settle with Otis. The defeated
gladiator made the appointment for
eleven o'clock that morning In Fitz-
hugh's office
AT five minutes to eleven FItzhugh
was alone awaiting him. He had given
orders that none but Otis was to be
admitted, and that afterward they
were not to be disturbed. AS he Iolled
back in his cushioned chair before the
mahogany desk, and gazed round the
luxurious room, a reVerie came over
him. He recalled his first venture in
wheat, made with a few thousands
won In poker game; he remembered
the time he had worked for Ouigg for
four hundred dollars a month. And
then, his memory slipping his control
and leaping back further still, he
thought of the time when-Noi Had
he been dishwasher? Had he shaved
IN the scullery Of a filthy kitchen for
miserable weekly pfttance?
The door opened. Symington Otis
entered.
IN these days of his monarchy Fitz-
hugh saw many sorts of characters ex-
posed raw and naked to his gaze. He
saw men come cringing to him, begging
and pleading. He saw others enter.
clustering and trying to OUTAGE him.
Otis behaved in neither manner. He
walked in quietly, and, closing the
door. remained standing, with no greet
fng whatsoever. He looked ten years
Older than his actual age. Fitzhugh
returned to his chair. The silence had
lasted fully half minute before he
spoke.
at has been agreed, Mr.. Otis, that I
shall deal with you as see fit"
Otis nodded. He did not speak.
My rule has been to give no quar-
ter and ask none. 1 see no reason why
your case should mark an exception.
see every reason why it should not.
For eight years or more your hand has
been against me. You have opposed
my ventures, INSTRUCTED my path, him
dered me in every way"
Il came here" INTERCEPTED Otis cold
~, "to talk business; not to discuss
our personal affairs"
"And we are going to discuss those
affairs. Mr. Otis"-Fitzhugh rose. and.
with his hands resting on the desk In
'front.' OF him, leaned toward his visitor,
who now stood oppOsite-'T will let
you out of my corner on only one COM
dItion."
(Which isY'
That you tell your daughter"
you need not go furtherl 1 will
consider nothing that involves my fam
fly"
"Then you refuse to deny to her"
Absolutely
the preposterous falsehood you
Sepeated?'
81 repeated no falsehood. 1t was the
truth"
EFT was a lieI The woman is dead
now. and 1 shall say nothing against
her. But you, and you only. can undo
the wrong she did me-"
'Mr. Fitzhugh. must ask you to
come at once to business"
"For the final time. VIII you tell
her"
'Nci Absolutely, mol"
'"Then you will take the alternative"
'Fitzhugh turned and pressed one of
ttse pearl buttons on his desk. His ex-
preston was one many Chicagoans
had seen to their sorrow since last
July; the facial muscles tense. the
stern jaw thrust forward, his eyes
hard as agate.
A young man entered. Fitzhugh
nodded to him. and he departed, re-
turning presently with a small, round
f0n fable which ha OIoood pSar Tho