The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1913-10-09
CHAPTER XIV.
Hezekiah Partitions tho Kingdom.


bate by the hearth. They could
hardly have heard my beatings over
the telephone, but they were greatly
concerned about something. Shallen-
berger, who was apparently the only
one willing to approach NE, followed
me to the veranda.
-''rhose Fellows In there don't under
stand this. Dick told US last night, aft
err we had called ut the house and been
refused admittance. that Miss Cecilia
was Ill with diphtheria. remember
that it was Dick who rang the bell and
gave our cards to the footman. 1t was
quite singular. you know. our being
turned away, unless something had
been wrong"
bowed gravely. They had been
turned away for the very simple rea-
son that after unearthing Aruiran
Caldwell's effects in the secret rooms
of her house Miss Octava had not
cared to be troubled with suitors. The
naughty Nebraskan had drawn upon
his imagination for the rest.
"And understood you to say mo-
ment ago that Miss HOLSTERS malady
is not diphtheria, but chickenpox?"
Shallenberger persisted with almost
laughable trepidation. "These gentle
men, regret to say, 60 so far as to
, doubt your word
THAT, Mr. Shallenberger. is their
, privilege. But it seems to me that
when merely tried to mitigate the ter
rible news impaired by Dick you are
rank ingrates for questioning my far
less doubtful story. Anything between
you gentlemen and Mr.. Dick is. OF
course, none Of my affair, for whether
considered as a set, group or bunch
am done with the whole lot of you.
FAREWELL
decided as rode away that moth
ing was to be gained by going In
search of Virgins. Orion had purpose
~ made his house difficult Of access,
and the roads in that neighborhood are
many and devious. Orion had banished
his guests that he might tinker with bis
play in peace and, knowing his temper,
was sure that Virgins and the rest
of them would keep out Of his way till
the pangs of hunger drove them back.
l had ridden half a mile toward
Hopefeld when espied woman rid
ing rapidly toward me. and as she
drew nearer identified her as Heze-
kiah. mounted on horse recognized
as one of the best in Miss Octavia's
stables. leHezekiah rode astride, as
woman should, her bicycle skirt serv-
ing we'll as habit. She rode Us a boy
rides who loves freedom and quickened
pulses and the rush Of wind across bis
face. She was hatless, for which the
sun and were both grateful. The big
bow at the back of her head turned the
dial back to sixteen.
She drew rein and fshed what SEEM
ed to be sailed almonds from her
sweater pocket She filliped one Of
these into the air and caught it in her
mouth with lazy toss Of the head that
showed the firm contour of her lovely
throat. had never seen her more self
possessed.
"Do you care much for this horse|
she asked carelessly.
cts good horse. l fancy Miss Oc-
tavia thinks so herself. There are
places, Hezekiah. where they hang
people for horse stealing"
Thought might need one today, 80
I borrowed him through the back way
to the old red barn. The coachman is
an ancient chum, and Aunt Octavia
would never mind even If she knew.
And she viii know, all right! Any
how, my rear tire had been patched
once too often, and there is satisfac-
ton in horse. Where's our sensitive
and impressionable, Wiggy? Saw him
riding over toward kisco yesterday
p. m. with chin on his chest-dreadful
riding FORM"
"Wiggins il at Orton's-the play
wright's, you know. I've telephoned
him to hustle back, but he's out of our
reach somewhere. couldn't speak to
him direct; had to leave message for
him."
Just like Wiggy to die on the last
lap. What did you make out Of Broth.
er Pepperton"
"Your note scared me-thanks so
much for your note-but he's all right.
to another girl"
"Ah," she sighed, ITS comforting
hat Cecilia couldn't keep them all
going all the ume.''
We rode along together. our horses
IN q walk, and I told her everything
knew Of the condition of affairs, In.
Guiding a true account Of my ex-
,eriences at the inn the day before
Ind Of the finding Of the old chest be-.
onging to Virgins great-grandfather
her brown eyes opened wide at this
concluding with the Gphtheria strata
rem and Dicks menace to Cecilia's
happiness.
Hes really a bright little boy. Com.
ng home on the steamer he gave me
post graduate course In pragmatlsm
hat I've found helpful in keeping
louse for papa. It's too bad we have
o lay trap for Mr.. Dick"
lis it? Just how are we to manage
hat EYoZokiah7"