The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1913-01-17
CHAPTER V.

The Strange Behavior of Chimney.
~HERE was no reason in the
world why Hartley Virgins
should not call upon two Ia
dies living In Westchester
county, and I must say that he APP
peared to advantage in Miss HOLSTERS
library.
He had got into his evening clothes
somewhere, perhaps at a neighboring
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
impressed the clerk at the Hare and
Tortoise with the idea that he had
left New York for long absence, and
he had apparently camped at the gates
of Hopeheld 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 OF disappointed at see
ing me his manner did not betray the
feeling
GLAD to see you, Ames. Rather
nice weather this"
Even Dakota couldn't do BETTER
affirmed with grin, but he ignored
the Sing.
Cecilia stirred restlessly. and I felt
decidedly I'll at ease. Miss HoIlister
crossed to the fireplace and poked the
logs.
Just what part Hezekiah Hollister
played in the situation was beyond me.
If had not witnessed Virgins clan
destine meeting with Cecilia matters
would have been clearer to my COM
prehension but his appearance at the
house after the colloquy I had over
heard from the bEier patch was in it
self inexplicab1e. Miss HOLSTERS sin
Eular references to Heze4iah-a person
about whom my curiosity was now a
good deal aroused-added to the mys-
terry that infolded the library.
Responsive TO Miss HOLSTERS ener-
Eetic prodding, the flames in the fire
place leaped into the great throat Of
the chimney with a roar She turned,
her back to the blaze, and looked upon
her guests benignantly.
eff all your hues draw like that one
they are not seriously in need Of doc
boring" I remarked
.'Flues are nothing If not cratic" re-
piled Miss HoIIister. The subject did
not appear to interest her, nor had
she, by the remotest suggestion, refer
red to the object of my coming. 1 had
Eniffed vainIy in the halls above and
below for any trace of the stale smoke
which usually greeted me at once on
my arrival at the house of a client
1.-The house was built, you may not
know, for a manufactures of umbreI-
las, who died before he had occupied
It in circumstances 1 may later dis
close to you, which accounts, Mr..
Ames. for that figure of Cupid under
TIT dTQr
eeiIing. At the first opportunity 1
phaH remove it, as baby Cupids are ir-
Feconcilable with the militant love
making 1 admire. L consider umbrel-
las detestabIe and never carry one
when can command macintosh
when I'm on the ranch l wear a
picker" said Virgins ITS bullet
kroof, and that have found at times
decided advantage"
We discussed uackintOshes fer at
Deast ten minutes with far more
BUrightliness than 1 had imagined the
mbject could evoke. Then Miss Hol-
lister, after a turn up and down the
boom, paused beside me.
-'Mr- Ames," she said, would you
pare to join me in a game of billiards
I'm not in my best form, but [ think
We might proftab1y knock the balls
Tor half an hour"
1 acquiesced with aIacrity. I assum-
I'd It to be Miss HOLSTERS purpose to
leave Cecilia and Virgins alone. l
should be rendering Virgins and Ce-
Eflta a service by Withdrawing, and 1
Eas glad of a chance to escape
To my infinite surprise they both pro-
bssted not in mere polite murmuTs, but
with considera BILE vehemence.
Its quite cool tonight, and 1 don't
believe you ought to use the billiard