Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1913-03-06

to leave. He shook hands all around
and bowed from the door 1t was in
my mind 10 follow. making preteNt
of walking with him to the station or
of helping him lind his car. but moth
ing in his good night IL me encouraged
such attentions. and as pondered the
outer door closed upon my irreSolu
ton
At the stroke of 10 Miss HolliStcr
rose and excused herself I'VE break
fast ut :, Mr.. AmrS trust the hour
does not conflict with Your habits"
assured her that the hour was
wholly agreeable, and she gave me her
hand with great dignity
When turned toward Cecilia she
hearth and was gazing dreamily into
the fire. now Il bed of glowing Goals,
1T was odd" remarked.
You mean the chimney?"
YES II was quite unaccountable
l confess that never knew Il Chin
ney'S mood 10 change so abruptly"
She sat silent for several minutes
and then she lifted her head and her
eyes met mine.
Pardon me, Mr. AmeS but did my
aunt ask YOU here to examine the
chimneyS? | didn't quite understand
We have been here only week: the
weather has been warm. and believe
this fire had not been lighted before
today. You will pardon my tranknesS.
but | cant quite understand why my
aunt invited you here il YOU came pro
feSsionally. | thought when YOU APP
peared this afternoon that you were
guest nothing morc--ur less
You had heard nothing Of any trou
bic with the tireplaccS? Then ! am in
the dark as much ms YOU As under
stood it, was called here to examine
the tueS; but, now that | think of II,
she did not say explicitly that her
chimneys were behaving badly, though
that was, of course, implied. natu-
rally assumed that she summoned me
here in my professional capacity.
was stranger to your aunt; she would
hardly have invited me otherwise !
imagine, however, that your aunt acts
good deal on impulse Her asking
me here may have been only whim.
'PlcaSe don't imagine that your com
ing has not been agreeable to me" &c
ella protested. My aunt Is quite
capable OF inviting Il stranger to the
house, She met YOU, believe, at the
Asolando. hope You understand that
1t is only because | am in deep trou.
bic, Mr.. AmeS, trouble Of the graveSt
nature. that | have vcntured to speak
to you in this way of my aunt, for
whom | have all respect and affec-
ton"
She had never, | was sure, been
lovelier than at this moment Her
eyes filled, but she lifted her head
proudly. Whatever the trouble might
be | was sorry for it on her own ac-
count, and if it involved Hartley Wig
gins my sympathy went out to him
also. On an impulse | spoke of him
Il was surprised to meet Hartley
Virgins here. He's dear friend of
mine, you know. l thought he had
SNAC " Iil9 he lCll lUt I1uIP
and Tortoise very abruptly few nights
ago just after we had dined together
He must be stopping somewhere in
the neighborhood."
ITS quite possible. And there's an
inn, you know. fancy he drove over
from there"
Il hadn't thought of that-the Pres
colt Arms | suppose you mean"
She nodded but she was clearly not
interested in me, and when | found
myself failing dismally to divert her
thoughts to cheerfuer channels | rose
and babe her good night.
The servant who had previously at
tended me appeared promptly when
reached my room, bearing Il tray, with
biscuits and Il bottle of ale He gave
me an envelope addressed in n hand
l already knew as Miss Octavia's. and
l opened and read:
The following l either detest or dlstrust
so kindly refrain from mentioning them
while you are a guest OF Hopetield Manor.
Automobiles
Mashed potatoes.
Whiskers.
Chopins Concerto in e minor Top ID
Bishops Coadjutor
LimeTicks
Cats OCTANIA HOILISTER
Before slept | threw up my window
and stepped out upon narrow bal
cony that afforded capital view of the
fields ana woods to the east The night
was fine, with the sky bright with
stars and moon Az my ayaS 6rOppp1
from the horizon to the near landscape
| saw Il man pcrched on II knoll in the
midst Of cornlield He stood as rigid