The weekly times-record., 1913-09-04

"As to Providence and the cook. what
luck?" asked. ..
"Oh, managed that very easily. l
ran into some friends who were going
abroad for the winter. They have
staff Of unusual servants and were
anxious to keep them together until
their return. promptly engaged them
all, and they are even now installed"
"Well, have had an adventure of
my own." remarked, after expressing
my relief that she had solved the serv-
ant difficulty with so much ease
Three gentlemen representing the
suitors' trust now maintaining head
! quarters at the Prescott Arms. warned
me solemnly to keep OF the grass. In
other words, am not to interfere with
their designs upon the heart Of Miss
Cecilia Hollister."
She flung open a fan, held It at arms
length and scrutinized the daffodils
that were traced upon it.
80 they dared your"
$50 they dared me. And l took the
dare"
"Why?'
Her eyes met mine gravely. but BE-
hind her pretty pout a smile lurked
delightfully."-.
III should tell zou now 1t would be
flirting, which Is a sin.
II had imagined, Mr.. Ames, that sort
Of thing came easy to you. But If it's
sinful, of course
But you do not rule me out! You
give me chance
My earnestness caused her manner
to change suddenly. Her beautiful
gravity came like swift falling of
starlit twilight. had never been so
happy as at this moment. Preposterous
as were the circumstances of my pres
ence In the house the juxtaposition Of
Cecilia Hollister gave me unalloyed de-
light.
II want to serve you now, hereafter
and always" I added. '"rhese men
can have no claim upon you greater
than that Of any other man who dares!'
mo. none whatever" she replied
firmly.
"And the mystery. the whole story,
Is in the little silver book!"
She started, flushed, and then laugh.
ter visited her lips and eyes. The book
was not in her hands nor in sight any
where, but l felt that was on the
eight track and that the little trinket
had to DO with her plight and her com.
pact with her aunt. Best Of all, the
fact that l had chanced upon this clew
gave her happiness. There was no de-
batting that.
you had best have care, Mr.. Ames
You have spoken words that would be
reasonable If they came from me, and
l must not countenance them"
But you will tolerate from me word.
that you would not permit another tt
speak? Do 60 too far?" g.. a
She bent her head to one side, witt
the slightest inclination, as OF ROSE
touched by vagrant wind.
III could only half believe In you,
she said, you might really serve me
So those gentlemen warned you away
Their presumption Is certainly astound
ing"
'.They know nothing Of the silver
book"
'They know less than you do. ant
you have good deal to learn. yor
know"
Il am dull enough, but l have nj
ambition but to read the riddle of th'
sibyl's leaves. That and the laying o.
the ghost are my immediate business
AS for the gentlemen at the Prescott
including my old friend Hartley Wig
gins, am not In the least afraid O.
them. Ny hand is raised against them
If it's q case of the test Of Ulysses owe
again I'm as likely as any Of them Il
bend the bow" ...... -
l thought this we'll spoken, but sh'
seemed amused, though without un
. kindness, by the earnestness of m!
speech. . M
!. If your wit is equal to your valo
you may 60 far. But"-and she turnet
her eyes full upon me-"we must pla.
the game according to the rules"
"And as for Hartley Wiggins"-
She sat up very straight. and tn
sudden disdain in her face startled me
had forgotten my eavesdropping II
the clump of raspberries on the day o
my arrival Certainly Virgins hat
been decidedly in the race then, ant
.. my heart thumped in resentment as
recalled her own message, or compac
! Of encouragement, which had borne t.
Virgins at the Prescott Arms. ...a..
II will tell you something, Mr.. Ames
This afternoon, as l drove from tn
station came round by the lake mere
" to cool my eyes on the water. ant
l saw MI. Virgins and my sister seat
ed on a wall in an old orchard. The!
; were 90 busily engaged that they di'
not see me. At least, he did not. bu
think Hezekiah did" ..af..s. IL
s"Hezekiah," I answered, relieved b.
the nature Of her disclosure, whicl
; could not but prejudice Virgins case