Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1913-07-10

NASANV = = NIL.
Ten lines following this were wholly
illegible, but just before the date dune
II, 1880 and the signature which was
written large, was this:
God preserve these American states that
they endure in unity and concord forever:
We had all been moved by the read
ing of this long lost letter and Miss
Octavias voice had faltered several
times.
Mr.. Virgins once told me that his
great grandfather had lived somewhere
in Westchester county. but fancy he
had no idea that Hopetied was the
identical SPOT" remarked Miss Octa-
via. 1T seems incredible. and yet |
dare say the hand of fate is in it,"
"Oh, it's SO wonderful; so beyond be-
lief cried Cecilia, reverently folding
the letter, which, | observed. she re
tanned in her own hands
Its wonderful" added Miss Octa-
via promptly, taking the sword, which
Pepperton had with difficulty drawn
from its battered scabbard, that even
a discerning woman like me could have
been so mistaken. | recall with humil-
ity that last Fourth of July. ut Berlin,
l reprimanded Mr.. Virgins severely
because his family had not been repre-
scented in the war for American indie
pendence BY the irony of crcum-
stances it becomes my duty to present
to him the very sword that his admi-
rable great-grandfather bore in that
momentouS struggle"
Several copies of New York newSpa-
perS, half Il dozen French gold coins
the miniature of woman's face.
which we assumed to be that of Roger
Virgins mother or sister. We're briefly
examined; then by Miss Octavia'S or
ders we carefully returned everything
to the chest. Several packets of let
tiers we did not open.
Arnold" she said when we had
closed the chest will YOU and Mr.
Pepperton kindly carry that box to my
room? No servants hand shall touch
it, and | shall myself give it to Mr.
Virgins at the earliest opportunity"
We had lost track of time In those
of one man that the secret of another
might be discovered. and found with
surprise. after the chest had been car
ried to Miss Octavia'S apartments. that
1t was after O'clock We had been in
the hidden rooms for more than three
hours.
I'VE shall have much to talk about
tonight, and l fancy we are all good
deal shaken. It's not often we receive
a letter from a dead man, so we shall
admit no callers tonight unless, in
deed, Mr.. Virgins should chance to
come" announced Miss Octavia. "The
next time Hartley Virgins visits this
house he shall come as a conquering
hero"
Il hope so" replied Cecilia brokenly.
We were still at dinner when the
cards of Dick and the other suitors l
had last seen at the Prescott Arms
were brought in; but Virgins made no
sign, and I wondered.
The man who looked after my needs
I1le d IIOIC Illc nOAI
which added fresh hazards to Cecilia's
already perilous plight.
Left with the gardener before 6
o'clock by boy from the village.
Said it was most confidential. sir"
l waited till he had left the room be-
fore opening it. 1t read:
Gooseberry Bungalow.
Before Breakfast.
Dear Chimneys-Pep stopped here yes
terday to see B. H He and c, old pals
Watch him. Where's Wig? H. II.
The information she conveyed was
startling enough. We had been deal
ing with company of sutors outside
the barriCade, now came warning OF
the presence of a strange knight with
In the gates who greatly multiplied
the perils of the situation. The com
pact among the suitOrs at the inn was
a thing of the past, and | now ex-
pected them to exercise all the in
genuity Of which desperate lovers are
capable in pressing their claims. The
fact that both Virgins and Pepper
ton were old friends of mine did not
make my task easier | not only felt
it incumbent on me to prevent Dick,
the holder of the clew. from taking adj
vantage of it, but knowing Cecilia's
own attitude of mind and heart toward
Virgins l wished to save PeppertOn
the pain of rejection If it could be
done
But what did Hezekiah mean by the
question with which she ended her
note? II Virgins, smarting under Ce-
elias treatment of him the day before,
had quit the field here was a pretty
how-d'-yedo. Miss Octavia's refusal
to countenance telephones made it nee
essary for me to leave HOpefield to
learn what had become of Virgins.
and ! realized that | must act prompt
ly il saved the day for him. His con-
duct first and last had been spiritless,
and | was out Of patience with him.
1t seemed impossible 10 formulate any
plan amid these multiplying uncertain
ties. If Virgins had decamped Dick