Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-28
CHAPTER V.
The Strange Behavior of q Chimney.

take In Miss HOLSTERS library.
He had got into his evening clothes
somewhere, perhaps at neighborins
inn, or maybe at the house Of a friend;
for he could not possibly have motored
into town and back since his interview
with Cecilia In the highway. He had i'm
pressed the clerk at the Hare and Tor
toise with the idea that he had left New
York for a long absence, and he had ap-
parently camped at the gates OF Hope
field to be near Cecilia.
When he had paid his compliments to
the ladies he turned to me with an almost
imperceptible lifting Of the brows; but he
was cordial enough. If he was surprised
or disappointed at seing me, his manner
did not betray the feeling.
''G1ad to See you, Ames. Rather nice
weather, this"
Even Dakota couldn't do better" az
firmed with a grin; but he ignored the
fling Inf. =, a,,,.. u.n,.r..,,. Mr. v,v,,ns
that you should have appeared just when
you did, for we had been speaking Of you,
and I had been telling Mr.. Ames of our
travels abroad, and in particular of the
humping you very properly gave our
courier at Cologne. And shall not deny
that I mentioned, also, our brief discus
Cecilia stirred restlessly; Virgins shot
a glance Of inquiry in my direction; and
felt decidedly Ill at ease. Miss HOLSTER
crossed to the fireplace and poked the
logs
Just what part Hezekiah HOLSTER
played in the situation was beyond me.
II had not Witnessed Virgins clandes-
tine meeting with Cecilia matters would
have been clearer to my comp p,. sion:
the colloQuy had overheard from the
briar patch was In itself inexplicable. Ce-
ella was q woman. therefore to be wooed,
and yet she had indicated by her words
to him that the wooing. independently OF
her feeling and inclination. might not go
forward with entire freedom. Miss Hol-
listers singular references to Hezeknah-
q person about whom my curiosity was
now a good deal aronsed-added to the
mystery that EMBODIED the library.
Our American peaches are not what
they were in my youth. Cold storage de-
stroys the flavor. / have not tasted q de-
cent peach FOR twenty years
felt that I must say something. Re
sponsive to Miss HOLSTERS energetic
prodding the flames in the fireplace
leaped into the great throat Of the CHM
to the blaze and looked upon her guests
benignantly.
.'If all your fues draw like that one
they are not seriously in need of doctor
ing, i REMARKED, 1eellnS tndC 1ueS were
a safer topic than the peach crop.
"Flues are nothing II not erratic." re-
piled Miss HOLSTER. The subject did not
appear to interest her; nor had she. by
the reu1otest suggestion, referred to the
object Of my coming I had shifted vain
trace Of the stale smoke which usually
greeted me at once on my arrival at the
house Of a client. The air Of Hopefeld
Manor was as sweet as that of June
I'D hat Z
doubtless knew the Manor had been de-
signed by Pepperton, whom we both knew
well.
This is Pops masterpiece. He need
do nothing better to keep his grip at the
top" he said.
Il consider it great privilege to be
permitted to visit house designed by
dear friend. and occupied by q lady pecu
LARRY fitted to appreciate and adorn it,
thought rather well OF this as spoke
the words but neither Cecilia nor Wig
gins rose to II as I hoped they might.
You have neat turn for the direct
compliment" said Miss HOLSTER, prompt
ly. THE house was built. YOU may not
know, for a manufacturer Of umbrellas.
who died before he had occupied it, in
circumstances / may later disclose to
YOU; which accounts. Mr.. Ames, for that
figure of Cupid under pink parasol on
the drawing-room ceiling. At the first
opportunity ] shall remove it, as baby
cupids are irreconciable with the militant
love making 1 admire. 1 consider UNI
brellas detestable. and never carry one
when I can command a macintosh"
when I'm on the ranch I wear q
slicker.'' said Virgins. Its bulletproof.
and that have found at times decided
advantage
we discussed mackintoshes for at least
ten minutes, with far more sprightliness
than / had imagined the subject could
evoke Then Miss HOLSTER, after a turn
up and down the room. paused beside me.
MIR. Ames." she said. would you care
to join me in ma game Of f billiards. ,S;n, I'm
might profitably knock the balls for half
an hour.
I acquiesced with alacrity. I assumed
it to be Miss HOLSTERS purpose to leave
Cecilia and Virgins alone. / should be
| rendering Virgins and Cecilia a service
by withdrawing. and 1 was glad Of a
chance to escape.
To my infinite surprise they both pro-
tested. not in mere polite murrnurs. but
with considerable vehemence.
Its quite cool tonight, and I don't be-
lieve you ought to use the billiard room
until the plumber has fixed the radiator"
said Cecilia.
And If you knew Mr.. Ames' game I'm
sure you wouldn't care to waste time on
him." piped Virgins, whom I had fire.
quently vanquished in billiard bouts at
the Hare and Tortoise. where. I may say
modestly. 1 had long been considered one
Of the most formidable of the clubs
players.
Both he and Cecilia had risen and we
stood. remember. just before the hearth
during this exchange. At this mo-
ment q singular thing happened. The
fire, that had been sweeping in a broad
wavelike curve into the chimney, was
checked suddenly. had repeatedly
marked the admirable draught, the facile
grace OF the flame as II rose and van
ished. The cessation of the draught was
unmarked by any Of those premonitory
symptoms by which fire usually gives
warning OF evil intentions. The upward
current OF air had ceased utterly and
without apparent cause. We were all
aware Of a choking. a gasping In the
deep fue, which could not be accounted
| for by any natural stoppaEe incident to
chimneys-the dislodsing OF masonry. or
a packing OF SCOT, The former was hard
| ly possible, and the house was not old
| enough to make the latter theory plaus-
| ible. From my survey of the iue on my
arrival In the afternoon judged that this
particular chimney had been little used
| The smoke now rolled out in blows
and drove US back from the hearth.
seized the tongs and poker and began re-
adjusting the logs, without, however. any
4 - hat Iox