The Monmouth inquirer., 1922-03-16

remaining chair in the small room.
Resting long hand on his knee, he
J tapped his wiry fingers impatiently
against his leg. He was little annoy
ed by Fitzhugh's easy cordiality. He
4 never liked to mix good fellowship
! with business
well? You are coming in with us?"
"For all / am worth"
'Good!' Otis sat back a little far
ther on his chair and smiled his sat
isfaction. Good for you"
What we want most of all just now
is cash?"
Yes, and lots of It,"
Fitzhugh took out his check book,
rested 1t on the small writing table,
dipped pen in the ink. Il will give
you my check now for two hundred
thousands
Otis returned to the edge Of his
cigar into a waste basket. I'VE must
have at least half million now, and
perhaps five millions altogether.
thought we went into all that Saturday
night"
$50 we did. And repeat I am with
you for all am worth"
Otis removed the glasses from his
acquiline nose, and, twirling them on
mis- finger, looked at the younger man
inquiringly.
81 don't believe l quite understand
you," he said.
Didn't l speak distinctly? ! say
again / am ready to pool my interests
with yours to the last cent possess. 1
am gambler enough to know that half
way measures don't snatch much from
! the wheel of fortune. 1t is only those
who risk all who come to be truly
great, or the down and outs. AS long
as gamble in wheat / shall cast ev-
cry cent / own into every venture |
make, or at least into every venture
that has my entire confidence shall
continue to do this until either have
p, all the money 1 want, or until have
lost all the money l have"
| He opened his check book, filled In
! the date. stopped with pen poised.
! 'Will you take my check for two hup-
dred thousand?"
| While Fitzhugh talked great light
y, had been dawning upon his caller. 1t
! row burst upon him effulgently and he
saw the truth. He stood up.
"I understand" he said icily. II
hardly think there is need for further
words''
He turned to go. But suddenly the
thought of how simply he had been
taken in" became too much even for
his half starved sense of humor. He
! stopped at the door.
1T was very cleverly DONE" he con-
graduated. "You are a gifted actor"
'"Then you won't accept my check?''
"No. This is no game for rabbits to
play in."
Fitzhugh smiled. $50 you think am
J Q rabbit?'
| Otis deemed the question unworthy
an answer; and the door closed be-
kihd him.
Later in the day however, Fitzhugh
received telephone message from
him, and ten minutes afterward wait
ed upon him in his inner sanctum in
| the First National Bank Building.
Otis leaned far back in his chair
and, partially closing his eyes as
! though he would conceal the shrewd-
ness and cunning therein. he very
! adroitly questioned Fitzhugh about
his family, his past life, his former
employment, his business experience
hundred different things, to all of
which, readily surmising the motive,
J behind the questioning, Fitzhugh in
vented such answers as his fancy and
! judgment dictated. The upshot was ex-
actly what he. expected. He was Of
fered position as confidential agent
and European correspondent for Otis
] and his associates.
''You may start for Liverpool at
once" he promised, "and your salary
| will commence today
/ "Ah, my salary-how much will
that be?"
i "Five thousand dollars"
II cannot believe you are In ear
| nest After what you know of me to
make me an offer like that!"
Five thousand dollars is corking
good salary for fellow your age.'
| ''For most fellows my age. yes. Fol
me-hardly."
"Then you turn down the offer?"
+! "Flatly"
"And you win stick to La Sale
| street?''
"Emphatically"
The old financier felt hot irrita-
tion, which he could but poorly hide.
Albeit when he spoke it was with an
assumption of paternal pity and re-
| greet
Eve seen dozens just like you" he
said, wagging his head sadly Che felt
like gritting his teeth). Things are
coming your way now and you're feel
ing cocky. But wait. Wait till your
luck changes. Wait till you get stung.
It's bound to come. 1t always does.
Some day you'll try to swing some
=