Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1913-07-24


saddle girths | explained To
Hezekiah the situation at Hopetield
and told her of Dicks scamper across
the fields
There's no use foolins with this
thing amy more. III take Wiggy to
the house and lock him W until I've
been numbered six. It's safest"
Not much it isn't | don't intend
that Cecilia shall have the pleasure Of
refusing you"
I'd like TO know why not It's only
to fill the gap
oh" said Hezekiah. that would be
an embarrassment to me all the rest of
my life. Listen carefully. Take Wiggy
In by the back way and give him a
picture book to look at Leave Cecilia
alone on the terrace when you're all
ready and see what happens. If Dicks
on his way to the house he's going to
do something, and he must feel the
edge of my displeasure | owe him Il
few on general principles"
what does all this mean? You say
there's nothing wrong at the house?"
OS-'th w i-~IllN Is We ltIl IlNLtNl'th
and started toward Hopeiielu
Nothing whatever the matter. Ev-
erything perfectly all right but you've
got to keep mum now and do what |
tell you. I've worked hard for you. old
man, and when it's all over I'm going
to send YOU Il bin for professional serv-
ices. Come
/ nv 70, n is llt1 u
Virgins rode Steadily beside me The
fright Orion had given him had done
my friend good, and felt that | was
dealing with live man at last
III tell You all about this after we
have Il good night cigar tonight"
We rode direct to the stable. and |
took Virgins to my room by the back
stairs and babe him help himself to my
raiment He WAS perfectly tractable.
and | was glad to see that he trusted
implicitly to my guidance.
| met Miss Octavia in the lower hall.
She was just in from the kennels
q hope. Arnold, that YOU have not
been without entertainment BY the
way, if you should by any chance see
1lcLShldli NOll VIII hlltllN llltIlllitt u
her that if she returns that mare she
borrowed this morning in reasonably
good condition | will overlook her in
discretion in taking it from the stable
without permission
She did not wait for a reply. but
continued on to her room and went
direct to the terrace Cecilia and Pep
perton We're just going into the house
to look UP Il book or piece of music
which they had been discussing &c
ella was making herself interesting. as
she so we'll knew how to do and she
seemed in no wise anxious.
1--WE had forgotten tea" she said.
"Aunt Octavia has just ordered it."
she and Mr.. Pepperton may have
their tea | believe the air outside will
do you good for Il little longer-so If
you don't mind. Pepperton. Miss Hol.
lister will resume her promenade
alone"
Pep has told me since that he
thought me quite mad that afternoon.
] babe Cecilia patrol the long terrace
slowly She turned up the collar of
the covert coat and obeyed. laughing 4
little nervouSly. but asking no ques
tons The scene could not have been
more charmimgly set The great horSp
doomed darkly behind her: beneath lay
the garden. over which the dusk was
stealing goIdonly.
She paused suddenly rs watched
from the window, and | stepped out to
see what had attracted her attention.
There into the garden from its iarthest
entrance filed the six suitors who bad
previously come to sit beneath the
windows of their stricken lady Hav-
ing failed to visit their wrath upon
the perfdiouS Dick they had changed
their clothes and returned to Hope
field. If Hezekiah had not expressly
commanded me not TO become the
sixth man. | should have offered my.
self on the spot ana waited only I'M
til Cecilia had made the inevitable an
swer before Summoning Virgins 10
end the whole affair. Such. however.
was not to be the order of events.
The procession, headed by Ormsby,
was within Il few yards Of the terrace.
Cecilia, apparently unconscious Of their
proximity. continued her promenade,
In moment she must recognize them.
ask them into the house give them
tea and otherwise destroy my hope OF
securing her happiness before the
days end
chorus Of yelpS and barks rs OF
dogs suddenly released, greeted my
ear. The onromins suitors heard il.
TOO and the limo wahbled uncertainty
Then round the house swept m#stiffS.
hounds. tcrrierS-a collection II prize
winners such A. few kennels ever
boasted-lonin- gayly in unwonted
freedom toward unknown and forbid
den pastures.
The vanguard ~ fox terriers leaped
down into the garden. with the rest ~
the pack ar their heels Happy dogs.
to ind growu men ready for gam