The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1913-04-08

cause. We were all aware of u choking.
II gasping In the deep 1ue, which could
not be accounted for by any natural
stoppage incident to chimneys-the
dlslodging of masonry or a packing ~
SCOT The former was hardly possible
and the house was not old enough tu
make the latter theory plausible From
my survey of the fue on my arrivl. g.
the afternoon l Judged thut q p;,r
ticular chimney had been little Il
The smoke now rolled out In r..uws
and drove us back from the hearth |
seized the tongs and poker and he,:rn
readjusting the logs, without. how
ever, any hope Of correcting difficulty
that lay patiently In the upper regions
of the flue itself. The smoke. after n
courageous effort to rise, encountered
an obstruction Of some sort and ebbed
back upon the hearth and out into the
room. My efforts to stop the trouble
by shifting the logs were futile. as !
expected them to be. and retreated
quickly, making. fear. no very gal
liant appearance as l mopped my face
and eyes.
WELL" exclaimed Miss Hoilister,
who had rung for a servant to open
the doors and windows, this Is GER
tninly most extraordinary. What So
luton do you offer, Mr.. AmesT
The matter requires Investigation.
| can't venture an opinion until have
made n thorough investigation. The
night IL perfectly quiet. and the wind
Is hardly responsible. think we had
better abandon the room until can
solve this riddle in the morning."
The prompt opening of the windows
and doors caused the slow dispersion
OF the smoke. but the lights In the
room still shone dimly as through
fog.
TITS beastlyw calculated Virgins.
coughing. II didn't suppose Pepper.
ton would put fiue like that into
house. He ought to be shoty"
1T is fortunate" said Miss Hollis.
ter. that Mr.. Ames Is on the ground.
He now has case that will test his
most acute powers Of diagnosis"
The logs that had burned so brightly
before the chimney choked still held
| " 4
vised against pouring water upon
them. fearing to crack the brick and
stone work. We were about to adjourn
to the drawing room. Miss Hollister
and the others had in fact reached
the door, leaving me alone before the
hearth. Then. as ! stood half blinded
watching the smoke pour out into the
room and more puzzled than had
ever been before In any OF my EN-.
Payments, the chimney. with a deep
intake Of breath. began drawing the
smoke upward again. The flames caught
and spread with renewed ardor. and
when the trio still lettering In the hall
returned In answer to my exclamation
OF surprise. the fue had recovered its
composure and was behaving In n sane
and normal manner.
"A swallow undoubtedly fell into the
chimneypot and then got itself out
again" suggested Cecilia.
1.-THE logs must have been wet. The
sap hadn't dried out yet" proposed
Virgins.
THE wood was as dry as tyder,"
nverred Miss HOLSTER, not without
irritation. And one swallow does not
make summer or a chimney smoke
1t must have been a changing current
Of 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 air
cools rapidly after sunset at this sea-
son, and that Is bound to have an eff
feet on the quality and resistance of
the atmosphere" replied sagely.
Perhaps" suggested Miss HOLSTER,
with one Of those flashes of animation
that were so delightful in her, 1T was
ghost The presence Of a ghost in
this house would give me the greatest
pleasure. l should look upon ghosts
appearance at Hopefeld Manor as a
great compliment II any reputable,
decent ghost should by any chance
take up his residence In this house I
should give him every encouragement"
Miss HOLSTER seemed to have for
gotten the proposed game Of billiards
The chimney's lawless demonstration
had, In fact, given new turn to the
! evening. We discussed ghosts for half
, an hour, and then, without having en-.
joyed any opportunity for single pri-
vate word with Cecilia, Virgins rose
to leave. He shook hands all around
and bowed from the door. II 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 In his good night to me encouraged
such attentions, and as pondered the
outer door closed upon my irresolu-
tion.
At the stroke OF 10 Miss HOLSTER
rose and excused herself. I'VE break
fas' at 8. Mr.. Ames. l 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 seat close by the
hearth and was gazing dreamily into
he fire, now n bed of glowing Goals.