The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1913-03-13

The wood was as dry as finder.
averred Miss HOLSTER. not withou
irritation. and one swallow does no
make summer or chimney smoke
1t must have been changing curren
or air | was reading book on bal
looming the other day, and It is re
markable how the air currents change.
That is quite possible as the al
cools rapidly after sunset at this sea
son, and that is bound to have an ef
feet on the quality and resistance OF
the atmosphere. replied sagely.
Perhaps" suggested Miss Hollister
with one OF those flashes OF animation
that were so delightful in her, at was
ghost The presence of ghost in
this house would give me the greatest
pleasure. I should look upon a ghosts
appearance at Hopefield Manor as a
great compliment. If any reputable,
decent ghost should by any chance
take up his residence In this house l
should give him every encoura cement"
Miss HOLSTER seemed to have for
gotten the proposed game Of billiards.
The chimney's lawless demonstration
had, In fact, given a new turn to the
evening. We discussed ghosts for half
an hour, and then, without having en-
Joyed any opportunity for a single pri-
vate word with Cecilia, Virgins rose
to leave. He shook hands all around
and bowed from the door 1t was in
my mind to follow, making a pretext
OF walking with him to the station or
of helping him find his car, but moth
ing I'm his good night to me encouraged
such attentions, and as | pondered the
outer door closed upon my irresolu-
ton.
At the stroke OF 10 Miss HOLSTER
rose and excused herself 1--WE break
fast at 8, Mr.. Ames. / 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
had moved to a seat close by the
hearth and was gazing dreamily into
the fire, now bed of glowing Goals.
ut was odd" | remarked.
"You mean the chimney"
YES 1t was quite unaccountable.
confess that | never knew a Chin
ney's mood TO 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
obi I 70 nd |
We have been here only week; the |
weather has been warm, and l believe |
this fire had not been lighted before
today. You will pardon my frankness, |
but l can't quite understand why my |
aunt invited you here If you came pro-
fessionally. l thought when you ap-
peared this afternoon that you were
more-or less"
"You had heard nothing of any trou-
BILE with the fireplaces? Then | am in
the dark as much as you. AS under
stood 1t, / was called here to examine
the flues; but, now that | think of 1t.
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. I
was a stranger to your aunt; she would
hardly have invited me otherwise
imagine, however, that your aunt acts
/ good deal on impulse. Her asking
ne here may have been only whim."
please don't imagine that your COM
ng has not been agreeable to me-" Ce-
lila protested. MY aunt is quite
'apabIe OF inviting stranger to the
house. She met you, / believe, at the
Asolando. l hope you understand that
{ is only because | am in deep trou-
lie, Mr.. Ames, trouble of the gravest ,
Iature, that l have ventured to speak ,
o you In this way Of my aunt. for
whom l have all respect and affec- ,
lon."
She had never, was sure, been 7
,velier than at this moment Her I
yes filled, but she lifted her head ,
roudly. Whatever the trouble might 4
e | was sorry for It on her own ac- d
cunt, and If 1t involved Hartley Wig '
ins my sympathy went out to him I
lso. On an impulse spoke of him.
II was surprised to meet Hartley h
Viggins here. He's a dear friend OF |,
line, you know. l thought he had s
one to his ranch. He left the Hare n
nd Tortoise very abruptly few nights e
90 just after we had dined together. II
e must be stopping somewhere in d
lie neighborhood"
TITS quite possible. And there's an q
N. you know. / fancy he drove over fl
ON there" n
II hadn't thought of that--the Pres. e,
1T Arms | suppose you mean" II
She nodded, but she was clearly not II
terested In me, and when | found "
yself falling dismally to divert her
oughts TO cheerfuler channels l rose HI
I'd babe her good night. c,
The servant who had previously at fe
nded me appeared promptly when l b,
ached my room, bearing tray, with M
scuits and a bottle OF ale. He gave h,
2 an envelope addressed In hand m
already knew as Miss Octavia's, and
opened and read m
rhe following l either detest or dlstrust. nj
kindly refrain from mentioning them a.
lille you are a guest OF Hopefeld Manor: \.