The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1913-07-31
CHAPTER v.

"HERE was no reason in the
world why Hartley Virgins
should not call upon two IL.
t. dies living in Westchester
county. aud | must say that he ap'
peared to advantage in Miss HOLSTERS
library.
Dc He had got into his evening clothes
somewhere. perhaps at netghbOring
Inn or maybe at the house Of friend.
tor hs could not possibly have motored
into town and back since bis interview
"Please don't bring sentimentalism
to the table" cried Miss Hoilister.
'.Mr. Virgins once Informed me in a
moment Of forgetfulness-it was ut
Foutainebleau. remember. when
Hezekiah persisted in reminding one
armed French colonel who was hang.
anE about that we named cities In
America for Bismarck-it was there at
the inn that Mr.. Virgins confided to
me bis belief that Hezekiah bears q
strong resemblance to the common Or
domestic peach. As q single peach ut
that place was charged in the bill at
1O:francs, the remark was Ill timed. to
say the least. But Mr.. Virgins was
90 contrite when l rebuked him that |
allowed him to. pay for our luncheon
no small matter. indeed. for Heze-
kiah's appetite is nothing If not ro-
bust"
Miss HOLSTER gave SO many turns to
with Cecilia in the highway. He had
impressed the clerk at the Hare and
Tortoise with the idea that he had
left New York for long absence. and
b had apparently camped at the gates
OF Hopeheld to be near Cecilia.
When be had paid bis compliments
% the ladies he turned to me with I'm
almost imperceptlble lifting Of the
brows. but he was cordial enough. II
b was surprised or disappointed at see,
ing me bis manner did not betray the
1eeling.
''Clad to see you. Ames. Rather
nice weather this"
Even Dakota couldn't do better" l
a@rmed with q grin. but be ignored
The ding.
Cecilia stirred restlessly. and I felt
decidedly Ill ut ease. Miss Hollister
crossed to the fireplace and poked the
logs. ..
Just what part Hezekiah Hollister
played In the situation was beyond me.
II l had not witnessed Virgins clan.
destine meeting with Cecilia matters
would have been clearer to my COM
prehension. but bis appearance ut the
house after the colloquy had over.
heard from the brier patch was in It.
self lnexplicable. Miss HOLSTERS sim
g,llar references to Hezekiah-a person
about whom my curiosity was now
good deal aroused-added to the mys-
terry that infolded the library.
Responsive to Miss HOLSTERS ener-
getic prodding, the flames in the fire.
place leaped into the great throat Of
the chimney with roar. She turned.
her back to the blaze. and looked upon
her g1lests benignantly. =,
III NIL your dues draw like that one
they are not seriously in need of doc
toring." | remarked.
''Fsu.s are nothing II not cratic" re.
Piled Miss HOLSTER. The subject did
not appear to interest her. nor had
she. by the remotest suggestion. refer.
red to the object Of my coming. had
shifted vainly in the halls above and
below for my trace of the stale smoke
which usually greeted me at once on
my ARRIVAL at the house Of client
'.The house was bnilt. you-may moi
know. for q manufacturer Of umbrel'
IA, who died before he had occupied
q II. circumstances may later dis
e3soe 70 you. which accounts, Mr