Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-09
CHAPTER XI.-Continued.

The surprise in her face was not
feigned-I was confident of this-and the
questions evoked by my answer at once
danced in her eyes.
IF Hezekiah should be caught in the
house just now we should all pay dearly
for her rashness. Believe me this is
true Some day you may know the why's
and wherefores; at present no one may
know. There is this. however-if Heze-
kiah or my father should be found at
Hopef1eld Manor. anywhere on the prem
ises, while I am there. the consequences
would be disastrous-more SO than 1 dare
tell you. But why should Hezekiah wish
to prowl about there at night-to assume
for a moment that she is doing it?''
Her manner was wholly earnest. 1t
was plain that she had entered into some
sort of compact with her aunt, and no
doubt the arrangement was in the char
acteristic whimsical vein Of which had
enjoyed personal experience. l did not
wish to press Cecilia for explanations she
might not be free to make, but l ven
tured a suggestion or two.
'Hezekiah may be entering the house
and playing ghost for amusement, merely
In a spirit OF childish rebellion against
the Introduction that forbids her the
uOuSe. luAI IL QulIS pIduSlUles I16ZchlaIi
being the spirited young person we know
her to be. And it may anuse her, too,
to plug the chimneys at a time when her
sister is enjoying the visits of suitors.
Without quite realizing that such was her
animus. she may be the least-the very
least bit iealous!"
Cecilia flushed and her eyes flashed in
1ignantly. She bent toward me eagerly.
please do not say such thing! You
must not even think it,"
your fathers house over the hills at
times when you are surrounded by ad-
mirers, and ii is my assumption from
what l have learned in one way and an
other of your flight abroad last summer.
that some of these gentlemen now estab-
lished at the Prescott Arms are known
to her.
ooh, all of them. certainly"
And Hartley Virgins among the reSt?
''That, Mr.. Ames, is most unkind,'' she
declared. earnestly. she has told me
that she was not in the least Interested
In Mr.. Virgins"
And she told me the same thing. but
do not feel sure of it! But what If
she is! You are not really interested in
him yOurself!'
In the library at Hopeaeld Manor l
should not have thought of speaking to
Cecilia HOLSTER in any such fashion, but
the flying train gave wings to my daring.
/ was surprised at my own temerity, and
more surprised that she did not seem to
resent my new manner OF speech. She
did not, however. vouchsafe any reply to
my statement but changed the subject
abruptly.
My description Of the ghost had taken
considerable time. and we were now run
ming through the tunnels and would soon
be at the end of our journey. She put
on her hat and veil without making it
necessary for us to discontinue our talk
A certain languor that had marked her
at her aunt's vanished. There was a
clearer light In her eye, and as helped
woman to whose high qualities l had
done scant justice.
81 count on finishing my errand and
taking the 2:O7." she remarked.
That's a short time to allow yourself
I've heard that it's a dreary business
chasing the employment agencies
mot if you know where not to go. II
you'll get me a machine Of some sort I'll
be off at once"
II fear 1 shan't conclude my own bust
luncheon?
This last was at the door of taxicab
had found for her.
Sorry. Mr.. Ames, but it's out Of the
question: ! hope to see you at dinner to-
night. And please"
Yes, Miss HOLSTER
please remember that you are Aunt
Octavia's guest, and don't annoy her by
Iallng 10 appear at Qlnner. You know
you haven't fixed that chimney yet!'
Her smile left me we'll in the air:
stood staring after the very commonplace
cab as 1t rolled away with her. my mind
a whirling chaos of emotion. The crowd
jostled me impatiently; for other people.
not breathing celestial ether from an
hour Of Cecilia HOLSTERS society, were
bent upon the days business.
l set of at once for Pepperton's Office.
where 1 learned that the architect was
out of town; but his chief clerk greeted
me courteously. told him frankly that
wanted to look at the plans OF Hope
field Manor to enable me to learn the ex-
act lines Of the chimneys. He confessed
surprise that they were causing trouble.
and expressed regret that they were not
in the Office.
Miss HOLSTER sent for them this
morning, and / have just given them to a
young woman who bore a note from her
Ordinarily / should not have let them 60,
but the note was peremptory, and Miss
HOLSTER il q friend Of Mr.. Pepperton's.
you know, and q person I'm sure he
would not refuse. We're ct work now on