Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-03-01

Is not supposed to see me or comnuni-
cate with me in any way
1T must have occurred to you that
there is one member of the HollisIer
family we haven't mentioned in this
connection
IF you mean Hezekiah'-
None otherr
IF Hezekiah or my father should be
caught IN the house while l am there
just now we should all pay dearly for
il. Believe me. this is true. Some day
you may know the why's and where
fores; at present no one may know.
But why should Hezekiah wish TO
prowl about there at night-to assume
for moment that she is doing it,"
Her manner was wholly earnest. It
was plain that she had entered into
some sort Of compact with her aunt.
and no doubt the arrangement was in
the characteristic whimsical vein Of
which l had enjoyed personal expert
ence. 1 did not wish to press Cecilia
for explanations she might not be free
to make, but l ventured a suggestion or
two
"HeZekiah may be entering the house
and playing ghost for amusement.
merely in a spirit Of childish rebellion
against the Introduction that forbids
her the house. That is quite plausible.
Hezekiah being the spirited young per-
son we know her TO be. And it may
amuse her, too, TO plug the chimneys
at a time when her sister Is enjoying
the visits of suitors. without quite
/ realizing that such was her animus.
4 she may be the least-the very least
bit jealous
! Cecilia flushed, and her eyes flashed
/ Indignantly. She bent toward me ea-
gerly.
please do not say such a thing!
You must not even think itP'
she may be a little forlorn, alone
IN your fathers house over the hills at
! times when you are surrounded by ad-
mirers. and it is my assumption from
what I have learned in one way and
another Of your fight abroad last sum-
mer that some of these gentlemen now
established at the Prescott Arms are
known to her"
"Oh. all Of them. certainly"
And Hartley Virgins among the
rest?"
THAT. Mr.. Ames. is most unkind.
she declared earnestly. she has told
me that she was not in the least IN
terested in Mr. Virgins"
And she told ME the same thing. but
do not feel sure of it. But what if
she is? You are not really interested
In him Yourself"
She did not vouchsafe any reply to
my statement. but changed the subject
abruptly My description of the ghost
had taken considerable time. and we
were now at the end Of our journey.
Il count on finishing my errand and
taking the 2:0T." she remarked.
That's a short time TO allow your
self I've heard that it's a drearv bust
ness chasing the employment agen
cies."
Not il you know where not to go
II you'll get me a machine of some
sort I'll he off at once"
Il fear ! Shan't conclude my owl
business so soon. but II you will honor
/ me at luncheon
Sorry. Mr.. Ames. but it's ont Of the
question. l hope TO see you at dinner
tonight. And please
Yes. Miss HOLSTER
PLEASE remember that you are Aunt
Octavias guest and don't annoy hel
by falling to appear at dinner You
know you haven't fixed that chimney
yet
Her smile left me well in the air.
stood staring after the very common
place cab as it rolled away with her
my mind whirlinG chaos of emotion
The crowd jOStled me impatiently. fOI
other people. not breathing ceIesta
ether from an hour Of Cecilia Hollis
ter's society, were bent upon the day!
business.