Mrs. Grundy. (Tracy City, Tenn.) 1903-1930, 1920-06-24

| AFtlS sprung W HIS iSSt, anu, usut
Ing cigarette. began pacing nerv
ously to and fro. Tossing the ciga.
rette aside, he sat down, resting his
elbow on his knee, and passed his
hand shakily across his brow.
II can't do anything for you now"
he muttered, without looking up.
my allowance is overdrawn and I'm
In u hole. You'll have to wait. that's
ALL"
"Have l said wouldn't?" suggested
Fitzhugh.
Artie looked up quickly. a sudden
glad hope leaplng to his pale eyes.
"Then you won't press me for itf'
he wondered eagerly.
II may not ask you for II at all.
may make you a Christmas present
of the entire batch, If you"
"Only command mel I'll do any
thing you say"
1.-THE last three days." continued
Fitzhugh, watching the effect of his
words, 1--WE had detectives working
for me on rather delicate matter. They
were making secret investigation OF
you and your family. know to a
aicety your financial status. your 30
cial standing, and knew before /
came here that you were unusually
hard up at present. need social
valet. and I'm willing to give you the
job"
my deah fellow"
II shall want to Join the best clubA
Your part Is obvious. You will intro
duce me to people whom | wish to
meet, you will procure me the entree
to homes wish to enter. There win
be other commissions which ! shalt
give you from time TO time. and a.
you fulfill them | will return, one by
one, your o US"
The effect of the proposal upon Ar.
tie was somewhat singular. lie
screwed up bis mouth in ludicr0us
manner and emitted sound that was
a cross between baby's crow Of de-
light and the screech of peacock.
"lt's excruciating" he cried. when
he found his breath. eth be fright
full fun" He sobered suddenly. Jaw
say! One teeny-weeny peep at the
slips, what?"
and he nodded his head brightly.
Then his mirtn overcame him u second
time and he went off into another peal
Of delight.
While Fitzhugh SIT watching him in
critical silence servant entered and
announced several callers.
".Ask em to toddle right H." Then.
turning ON Fitzhugh: "rll try you on
my frlends--what He smiled pref
tily.
II suppose can stand It."
The four or Eve young men who en-
tered were. for the most part, OF Ar
ties class. They were flaccId, ilstiess.
/ seemingly consumed with ennul and
u-weary OF the world. They talked
languidly Of tailors and different
makes of motorcars. They expressed
lukewarin preferences for certain
brand of cigarette or particular kind
! of mixed drink None had any indi-
vldunlity but all were cut from ne
same pattern.
Some time lu .er, In the street be-
, low. Fitzhugh paused moment 10
the falling snow and spoke feellngly
to himself,
"Its enough" >sald he. ito make
man stop posing"
1 no tAf Fus
envelope 70 Kathleen Otis, slipped
therein one-dollar bill and after Il
card, upon which he wrote:
May you have Merry Christmas
Ii the wish Of him who bought the
soap and water"
; Fitzhugh planned well in making
Artie his social valet" After that
Monday conference in his brokers'
Office he had surmised the relations
between himself and Otis would
thenceforth be unamicable. His sur
! misal proved correct when not long
afterward he met Otis and his wife
one Sunday on the drive. He dotted
I his silk hat with Chesterfieldian
gesture--and was rewarded for his
courtliness by being ignored more
, polntedly than II he had been an ut
, ter stranger.
Clearly after this there was but one
, way for him to see Kathleen. and that
was by the aid of Artie Sparkle
Fitzhugh never required u second at.
; tempt TO scale the citadel OF any
' home, no matter how exclusive" that
home might be. He Immediately be.
came 1.-THE sensation" wherever he
| went. What with his distinguished
appearance, his flashing wit, his skill
, at repartee, and, above all else, his