Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-06

drew his pipe to a glow I had not for
gotten my encounter with the ghost on
the stair. and as l waited for him to
speak ! was trying to identify him with
the mysterious agency that had tempered
with the lights, and passed so ghostly a
hand across my face in the stair WELL l
could hardly say that there had not been
time for either Bassford HOLSTER or his
daughter to have reached the roof after
my experiences on the stair: and yet they
had been engaged so earnestly at the mo-
ment of my appearance at the hatch.
way that it was improbable that either
could have played ghost and flown to the
roof before l reached 1t. And eliminat-
ing the ghost altogether. 1 had yet to
learn how Bassford HOLSTER had gained
entrance to the house. 1t seemed best to
drop speculations and wait for him to de-
clare himself.
You must understand. Mr.. Ames. that
my daughters. both Of them, are very
dear to me. 1t Is the great grief OF my
life that owing to matters beyond my
control l have been unable to care for
them as l should like to do. This being
the case, I have been obliged to allow
them to accept many favors from my
only sister Octavia. This, in ordinary cir
cumstances would not be repugnant to
my pride; but my sister is a very un-
usual person. She must do for my chill
dren In her own way, and while l was
prepared. in agreeing that they should
manifestation Of her eccentric character,
I did not imagine that she would go so
far as to shut me out from all knowledge
of her plans for them. That. Mr.. Ames,
is what has happened"
His voice rose and fell mournfully. He
puffed his pipe for a moment and con-
tinued:
Cecilia, being the older, was to be
launched first. Hezekiah was to be cared
for in due season. Last summer Octavia
q o~a
aware. they are young women Of unusual
distinction of appearance and manner.
and they attracted a great deal Of atten-
ton. From what l hear, troop Of
of thing would appeal to Octavia; to me
1t Is most repellent. but l had already
committed myself, agreeing that Octavia
should manage in her own fashion. There
is now something forward here which l
do not understand. l have an idea that
scheme for choosing a husband for Ce-
ella that is in keeping with her odd
fashion of transacting all her business.
l do not know its nature. and by the
disclose the method to be employed to me
mot even to me. her own father. You
must agree. Ames, that that is rather
rubbing it in"
But you don't assume that your daugh-
ter is not to be a free agent in the mat
ter? You don't believe that some I'M
worthy and improper man is to be forced
upon herr"
THAT, sir. is exactly what fear!''
You will pardon me, but / cannot for
a moment believe that Miss HOLSTER
would risk her niece's happiness even to
satisfy her own peculiar humor. Your
sister Is a shreSyd woman, and her heart,
l am convinced, is the ktndest Among
the suitors now camped at the Prescott
Arms there must be some one whom
your daughter approves, and see no
reason why he should not ultimately be
her choice. Now that you have preached
the matter. make free to say that one
Hartley Virgins by name. and that he
is a man OF the highest character and
gentleman in the strictest sense"
He had been listening to me with the
greatest composure. but at the mention
OF Virgins name he started and nerv-
ously clutched my arm. :,
THAT man may be all that you say"
he cried. chokingly, but he has acted
UNANIMOUSLY toward both my daughters.
He is a rogue and a most despicable fell
low. He has flirted outrageously with
Hezekiah while at the same time pre-
tending to be deeply interested In Ce-
ella. I say to you In all candor that
man who will trifle with the affections OF
a child like Hezekiah is villain, moth
ing less
But. my dear sir. is 1t not possible
that you do him a great wrong? May
1t not be the other way round. that Heze-
kiah is triling with Virgins affections?
He's a splendid fellow. Hartley Virgins.
but he's q little slow. that's all. And
between two superb young women like
your daughters q man may be paFdoned
for doubts and hesitations; case OF be-
ing happy with either il tother dear
charmer were only away To put It