The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1913-09-25
CONTINUED from Last Issue.)

THAT is like Cecilia. She's fine, and
wouldn't cause me trouble for any.
thing" and there was no doubt OF
Hezekiah's sincerity.
But now that see the light and un.
derstand all this, how can we make
sure that Wiggy will be on the spot at
! the right moment? While we sit here
he may be the sixth man! l might
take care Of Wiggy by asking Cecilia
to marry me. being careful to have him
appear Johnny on the spot when had
been duly declined"
"Um! shouldn't take any chances If
l were you," she replied, feigning to
look at an imaginary bird in a tree top,
"for If you had counted wrong and
were really the seventh man she would
have to accept you!"
"Hezekiah"
"Oh, l really didn't mean what you
thought l meant. We don't need to
discuss it any more. That's the ordeal
I've arranged for you" she answered.
and set her lips sternly.
But. my dear Hezekiah, by what
means can this be effected? don't
dare tell him the combination he's
playing against or sit on him until his
hour strikes
Certainly not; you mustn't tell him
or anybody else. You know the plan;
but you're not. supposed. to-. and no.
body must know I've meddled. Mean
while Cecilia must expose herself to
proposals at all times, Aunt Octavia's
heart would be broken IL she thought
Providence had been tempered with.
She likes Wiggy well enough, except
that his ancestors were all Tories, and
be can't be Son Of the Revolution"
She rose and pointed to her coat.
"Drop It into the boat for me, Chin
neys. We meet in funny places. don't
We? Papa expects me for luncheon.
and must row back and get my b.
cycle. You? No. you can't 60 along;
you've got lot of thinking to do, and
you'd better be doing It."
A few minutes later. as swung
along the highway toward the Pres
colt Arms. l saw Cecilia HOLSTER rid
ing toward me at q. lively gallop.
She crossed the bridge without check
ing her horse. and then. with a hurried
glance over her shoulder. she pointed
With her crop to a byway. -','7
hurried after her and found her
waiting for me in quiet lane. She had
dismounted and seemed greatly dis
turbed as addressed her.
II hadn't expected to meet you. l
thought you rode off with your aunt to-
ward Mount Kisco."
I'VE did. but on our way home Aunt
Octavia stopped to call on friend. and
as didn't feel in mood for visits this
morning. rode on alone was walk
ing my horse in the road beyond Bed
ford. just after left Aunt Octavia,
when who should ride up beside me but
Mr.. Virgins. He had evidently been
following me-"
She expected me to express surprise.
and with the informa ton that He3s.
kiah had Just impaired fresh in my
mind dare say she was not disap-
pointed in the effect of her words. l
was thinking rapidly and fearfully. II
my friend had sought her In the high
way and offered himself In some fresh
accession Of srdor he might even now
be a rejected and hopeless man. but I
was unwilling to believe that this had
happened.
Won't yen. TIL me. hat, hapRensd
inStie :road ,sl'sn HARTLEY rode ~ N \;
side your " "
"Oh. nothing happened: really. moth
ing: Nothing could have happened for
the excellent reason that ran away
from him. II wasn't what be did or
said, it was the fear Of what he might
! say
! III it had heen Mr.. Dick who had
Joined you in exactly the same way In
the highway. you would not have
minded In the least. Miss HOLSTER.
Isn't that the TRUTH"
! CHAPTER XXI.
Trouble At the Prescott Arms.
! - EClLlA'S hand. that had rested
on the pommel Of her saddle.
dropped to her side. and she
STOOL erect. her eyes wide with
! wonder.
what do you mean?" she gasped.
II mean exactly what have said.
II it had been that strutting young
philosopher from the west you would
we'll. you would have allowed him to
say what was In his mind. Am not
right?"
a wonder. l wonder she faltered
drawing away. the better to observe
me.
You wonder how much know! To
relieve, your mind without parleyine
further. ! will say to You that know
everything"
'"rhen Aunt Oct:via must have told
you. and that seems incredible. 1t was
distinctly understood
"Your aunt told me nothing. Not by
words did any one tell me-"
mot by wOrds?" she asked. eyeinl
NE wonderingly and clearly feeling
that might he playing some trici
upon her. Then can, 1t be that Heze
kiah-but no! Hezekiah doesn't know.
Anlkf