Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-07
CHAPTER X.-Continued.

"Then. such being the case. why doesn't
she show her hand openly? If she be-
lieves that Virgins with his septenary
names is ordained by the seven original
pleiades to marry your daughter Cecilia,
l should think that by the same tok' n
she would have sought a man rejoicing
in the noble name of Septimus. You'send
conjecture far when once you entertain
so absurd an idea.
You think my assumption unlikely"
he asked. eagerly.
II certainly do, Mr.. HOLSTER. But
confess that l had never counted the let
tiers in Virgins name before. and your
suggestion is interesting. And this whole
idea of the potential seven in our affairs
has possibilities. II seven at all, why
isn't it possible that your sister has Jacob
in mind and the seven years he served for
Rachel? You may as well assume that,
as Virgins is specially favored in the
number of letters in his sngularly pro-
sale and unromantic name it is Miss Hol-
listers plan to keep him dallying seven
years
He seized me by the arm and forced me
back against the battlements, then stood
off and eyed me fiercely.
You speak of serving and of service!
Will you tell me just why you are here
and what brings you into this AFFAIR. My
daughter Hezekiah is the frankest person
alive, and she told me Of her meet
ings with you and that you had been to
the Asoando-where she spent day In
the SheereSt spirit of mischief That was
the beginning of all our troubles. that
damned hole with its insane confection-
cry and poetry If Cecilia, in a mis-
guided notion of earning her own living,
had not gone there and worn an apron
for week before dragged her out, she
would never have met Virgins. And now
will you kindly tell me just what you are
doing in my sisters house. where l have
to come like a thief in the Fight to see
one of my own children?
This fierce deliverance touched me near
~. l doubted my ability to explain to
one of these amazing HOLSTERS just how
l came to be sojourning in the house OF
another of the family without any busi-
ness that would bear scrutiny. ] has
tened TO declare my profession, and that
l had been summoned by Miss HOLSTER
to examine her chimneys. I could not.
however. tell him that until my arrival
the chimneys had behaved themselves adj
mrably
You've admitted your friendship for
this Virgins person; that's enough, he
said, when l had concluded. II advise
you to leave the house at once. l tell you
he's got to be eliminated from the situa-
ton. Understand, that i do not threaten
you with VlOience, out Will not PROMISE
to abstain from visiting heavy punish
ment upon that fellow. And you? A
chimney doctor? / am man of consid-
cradle knowledge of the world, and l
| say to you very candidly that don't be-
| lieve there is any such profession"
Then let me tell you.' L replied, not
| without heat, that l am . graduate in
| architecture, and that IL you will do me
| the honor to consult a list of the alumni
of the Institute Of Technology you will
| find that was graduated there not with
out credit. And as for remaining in this
house. / beg to inform you, Mr.. HOLSTER.
\ that as I am your sisters guest and as
she Is perfectly competent to manage her
own affairs. shall stay here as long as
1T pleases her to ask me to remain. And
now, one other matter. How did you
| gain this roof tonight, when by your own
admission you are not on such terms
with your sister as would justify you in
entering IL Openly?"
The moonlight did not fail to convey