Graham guardian., 1913-10-17

lurnr,l away, unless something had
been wrong"
bowed gravcly. They had been
turned away for the very simple rea
son that after unearthing Adoniram
CaldweIl'S effects In the secret rooms
of her house Miss 0ctavia mad not
cared to be troubled with suitors The
naughty Nebmskan had drawn upon
his Imagination for the rest
"And | understood you to say mo
ment ago that Miss HOLSTERS ma'ady
Is not dlphtheria. but chickenpoS:"
Shallenberger persisted with almost
laughable trepilation. These gentle
men, I regret TO say. go so far as to
doubt your word"
THAT, Mr. Shalenberger. Is their
privilege. But 1t seems to me that
when merely tried to mitigate the ter
rible news impaired by Dick you are
rank ingrntes for questioning my far
less doubtful story. Anything between
you gentlemen and Mr.. Dick Is. OF
course. none of my affair. for whether
considered as a set. group or bunch
am done with the whole lot Of you.
FAREWELL
/ decided as | rode away that moth
ing was to be gained by going In
search Of Virgins. Orton had purpose
ly made his house difficult of access.
and the roads In that neighborhood are
many and devious Orton had banished
his guests that he might tinker with Ills
play in peace and, knowing his temper.
/ was sure that Virgins and the rest
Of them would keep out of his way till
the pangs Of hunger drove them back.
l had ridden half mile toward
Hopefield when ! espied woman rid
ing rapidly toward me. and as she
drew nearer identified her as Heze-
klah, mounted on horse | recognized
as one Of the best In Miss 0ctavia's
stables. Hezekiah rode astride. as n
woman should. her bicycle skirt serv-
ing well as a habit, She rode as boy
rides who loves freedom and quickened
pulses aud the rush Of wind across his
face. She was hatless, for which the
sun aud I were both grateful. The big
bow at the back of her head turned the
dial back to sixteen.
She drew rein and fished what seem
ed to be salted almonds from her
sweater pocket She flliped one OF
these into the mir and caught 1t in her
mouth with lazy toss OF the head that
showed the firm contour OF her lovely
throat had never seen her more self
possessed.
"Do you care much for this horse"
she asked carelessly.
'Its good horse. fancy Miss Oc-
tavia thinks so herself There are
places. Hezekiah. where they hang
people for horse stealing"
Thought might need one today. so
I borrowed him through the back way
to the old red barn, The coachman is
an ancient chum, and Aunt Octavia
would never mind even If she knew.
And she will know, all right! Any
how. my rear tire had been patched
once too often. and there is satisfac-
ton In horse. Where's our sensitive
and impressionable Wiggy? Saw him
riding over toward Kisco yesterday
p. m. with chin on bis chest-dreadful
riding form"
! ''Nyiggins is at Orton's--the play
wright's. you know. I've telephoned
him to hustle back, but he's out of our
reach somewhere. couldn't speak TO
him direct; had to leave a message for
him"
lust like Wiggy to die on the last
lap. What did you make out Of Broth
er PeppertonT
Your note scared me--thanks so
much for your uote-but he's all right.
Engaged TO another. girl"
''Ah." she sighed. ''it's comforting
that Cecilia couldn't keep them all
going all the time"
We rode along together. our horses
In walk, and told her everything
I knew Of the condition OF affairs. in
Guiding n true account of my ex-
periences at the inn the day before
and Of the finding Of the old chest be-
longing to Virgins great-grandfather
her brown eyes opened wide AZ ttis
concluding with the diphtberia strata
gem and Dicks menace to Cecilia's
happiness.
Ito BE CoNTINUED)