Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1913-06-05

49, ~ SAN ~ASy
hardly have heard my bleatings over
the telephone, but tney we're greatly
concerned about something. Shallen-
berger, who. was apparently the only
one willing to approach me, followed
me to the veranda.
'"Those fellows in there don't under
stand this. Dick told us last night, aft
err we had called at the house and been
refused admittance. that Miss Cecilia
was i'll with diphtheria. l remember
that it "a Dick who rang the bell and
gave our cards to the footman. 1t was
quite singular. you know, our being
turned away, unless something had
been wrong"
l bowed gravely. They had been
turned away for the very simple req
son that after unearthing Adoniram
Caldwell's effects in the secret rooms
Of her house Miss Octavia had not
cared to be troubled with suitors. The
naughty Nebraskan had drawn upon
his Imagination for the rest.
"And l understood you to say a mo-
ment ago that Miss HOLSTERS malady
is not diphtheria, but ~chickenpox?'
Sh%allenberger persisted with almost
laughable trepidation. These gentle
men, 1 regret to say, go so far as to
doubt your word"
"That, Mr.. Shallenberger, is their
privilege. But it seems to me that
when 1 merely tried to mitigate the ter.
rible news impaired by Dick you are
rank ingrates 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 1
am done with the whole lot of you.
FAREWELL"
l decided as l rode away that moth
ing was to be gained by going in
search of Virgins. Orion had purpose
ly made his house difficult Of access,
and the roads in that neighborhood are
many and devious. Orion had banished
his guests that he might tinker with his
play in peace and, knowing his temper,
I was sure that Virgins and the rest
Of them would keep out of his way till
the pangs of hunger drove them back.
I had ridden half a mile toward
Hopefield when l espied a woman rid
ing rapidly toward me, and as she
drew nearer I identified her as Heze-
kiah, mounted on a horse 1 recognized
as one Of the best in Miss Octavia's
stables. Hezekiah rode astride, as a
woman should, her bicycle skirt serv-
ing we'll as a habit. She rode as a boy
rides who loves freedom and quickened
pulses and the rush Of wind across his
face. She was hatless, for which the
sun and 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 sailed almonds from her
sweater pocket. She flliped one Of
these into the air and caught it in her
mouth with a lazy toss Of the head that
showed the firm contour of her lovely
throat. I had never seer her more self
possessed.
"Do YOU care much for this horse?"
she asked carelessly.
"It's a good horse. 1 fancy Miss Oc-
tavia thinks so herself. There are
places, Hezekiah, where they hang
people for horse stealing"
Thought l 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 a satisfac-
ton in Il horse. Where's our sensitive
and impressionable Wiggy? Saw him
riding over toward Kisco yesterday
p. m. with chin ON his chest-dreadful
riding FORM.
"Wiggins is at Orton's-the play
wright's, you know. I've telephoned
him to hustle back, but he's out Of our
peach somewhere. / couldn't sneak to