Graham guardian., 1913-09-19

beautiful bright meadow by the sea
and her thoughts the dipping OF swal-
low wings on lightly swaylng grasses. .
CeciIia's manner changed, and she
smiled
"You seem to have an attack of
something. II looks serious"
helped her into the saddle. and she
looked down at me with amusement In
her eyes, My praise of Hezekiah had
pleased her, and ! felt, as when We
journeyed together into town, her kind,
ly. human qualities. She said:
"You are not coming home for lunch
eon? Then | shall see you at 4. hope
the hiding place Of the ghost viii prove
interesting. Aunt Octavia has built her
hopes high. and may add that she has
expressed the greatest admiration OF
you TO me. On her ride this morning
she declared that great things are In
store for yOu. | hope so. too. Mr.
Amps."
She gave me her hand and rode
away.
The Inn wns u mile distant. and set
OF at a brisk pace. turning over in my
mind various projects for controlling
the char icters now upon the stage In
such manner that Virgins should be-
come the seventh man. Cecilia could
not always run away from him with
out violating the terms Of her aunts
stipulation, and 1t was unlikely that
she would attempt further to guide or
thwart the pointing finger Of fate. |
relied little upon any arrangement ef-
fected among the suitors to stand to.
gether. Hume had already found a
chance TO speak. Lord Arrowood had
bitten the dust and turned bis face
homeward, and Virgins had been near
the brink only that morning. II was
unlikely that any of the active candi-
dates remaining would stumble upon
the key TO the situation. which Heze-
klah had given Into my keeping.
Ii was we'll on toward O'Clock when
] approached the Inn. Before long the
suitors would depart for their after
noon call at the manor, which was an
Established event of the day. Just as
was about to enter the gate was ar
rested by an imperious voice calling,
and John Stewart Dick came running
toward me To my surprise he greeted
me cordially, even offering his hand.
"You thought you would come after
all. Well. I'm glad you did. I've decid-
ed that there should be peace between
u.s."
In stature he was the shortest OF the
suitors. but what he lacked In height
was compensated for by tremendous
dignity.
"You have several times addressed
me. Mr.. Ames. In spirit Of contumely
which have hesitated to punish by
the chastisement you deserve, but ]
nm willing to lot bygones be bygones.
I had intended to offer myself to Miss
Hollister this afternoon. with every
hope Of success. but yield to you.
My only request Is that you inform me
at once when you have learned her
decision"
He clapped on his cap and folded his
arms, clearly satisfied with the ex-
prcssions OF surprise to which my feel
ings betrayed me, Could II be possible
that he had guessed the truth, perhaps
By dednctive processes of which was
ignoranti Whether he had reasoned
from some remark thrown out by Miss
Octayia as to the influence OF seven
In the nfrairs Of life and her applica-
ton OF thnt fateful principle to the
choice OF n husband for Cecilia. could
not guess. but assuming that he had
caught that clew, he might readily
enough have managed the rest. must
not allow him to see what suspected,
MY dear professor there's ap an
client warning against the Greeks bear
ing gifts. You must give me time to
inspect the horse"
Are you questioning my good faith?"
''Be II far from me! I'm good deal
tickled. though. by your genial as
sumption that II offered myself to
this lady should be declined with
thanks
He was again helligerent II may
have occurred to him that might
know ns much as he. but at any rate
he griuncd II WIS a saturnine grin ]
did not like
I'm starving to death at the door Of
an Inn. and you must excuse me. Have
you seen Hartley Virgins lateiyf"
~ have indeed He's taken to lonely
horseback rides He's OF somewhere
now. He hasn't the stamina for con-
test like this. One by one the autumn
len veg ure fallinru he added. with sne-