Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1913-03-06
The Siege
of the
Seven SuitOrS
By
MEREDITH NICHOLSON
Copyright. 1910, by Meredith Nicholson
Copyright. 1910, by Meredith Nicholson
CHAPTER V.

county. and l must say that he APP
peared to advantage in Miss HOLSTERS
library.
He had got into his evening clothes
somewhere. perhaps ut Il neighboring
inn or maybe at the house of friend,
for he could not possibly have motOred
into town and back since his interview
with Cecilia IN the highway He had
impressed the clerk at the Hare and
Tortoise with the idea that he had
left New York for long absence, and
ne had apparently camped at the gates
of Hopefield to be near Cecilia.
When he had paid his compliments
to the ladies he turned to me with an
almost imperceptibe lifting of the
browS, but he was cordial enough. II
he was surprised or disappointed at see
ing me his manner did not betray the
feeling.
"Glad to see you. Ames. Rather
nice weather this"
even Dakota couldn't do better" |
affirmed with grin, but he ignored
the fling.
Cecilia stirred restlessly. and | felt
decidedly i'll at ease Miss Hollistcr
crossed to the fireplace and poked the
logs.
Just what part Hezekiah HoIlister
played i'll the situation was beyond me
If | had not witnessed Virgins clan
destine meeting with Cecilia matters
would have been clearer to my com.
prehenSion. but his appearance at the
house after the colloquy l had over
heard from the brier patch was in it.
self inexplicable. Miss HOLSTERS sin
gular references to Hezekiah-a person
about whom my curiosity was now ii
good deal aroused-added to the mys
terry that infolded the library
Responsive to Miss HOLSTERS ener-
getic prodding, the flames in the fire
place leaped into the great throat Of
the chimney with a roar. She turned.
her back to the blaze. and looked upon
her guests benignantly.
'If all your tlues draw like that one
they are not seriously in need of doe
toring," l remarked.
''Flues are nothing If not cratic" re
piled Miss HolliSter. The subject did
not appear to interest her. nor had
she, by the remotest suggestion, refer
red to the object of my coming. had
shifted vainly in the halls above and
below for any trace of the stale smoke
which usually greeted me at once on
my arrival at the house of a client
1.-THE house was built. you may not
know, for manufacturer of umbrel
las, who died before he had occupied
close to you, which accounts, Mr.
Ames, for that figure of Cupid under
pink parasol on the drawing room
ceiling. At the first opportunity
shall remove it. as baby Cupids are ir-
reconciIable with the militant love
making | admire. | consider umbrel.
las detestable and never carry one
when can command a macintosh"
when I'm on the ranch | wear a
slicker." said Virgins, It's bullet
proof, and that | have found at times
decided advantage"
We discussed mackintoshes for at
least ten minutes with far more
sprightliness than | had imagined the
subject could evoke Then Miss Hol-
lister. after a turn up and down the
room. paused beside mo
mir. Ames," she said. would you
care to join me in game of billiards?
I'm not in my best form, but think
we might profitably knock the balls
for half an hour"
acquiesced with alacrity. | assum-
ed it to be Miss HOLSTERS purpose TO
leave Cecilia and Virgins alone. /
should be rendering Virgins and Ce-
ella a service by Withdrawing and
was glad of a chance to escape.
To my infinite surprise they both pro
tested, not in mere polite murmurs, but
with considerable vehemence
Its quite cool tonight, and l don't
believe you ought to use the billiard
room until the plumber has fixed tht
radiator" said Cecilia
And if you knew Mr. Ames' game
I'm sure you wouldn't care to waste
time on him" piped Virgins, whom
had frequently vanquished in billiard
bouts at the Hare and Tortoise, where
! may say modestly. had long been
considered one If the most Formidable
of the clubs PLAYERS,
Both be and Cecilia had risen. AM
we stood. remember, just before the
hearth during this exchange. At thi~
moment % singular thing happened
The fire that had been sweeping in
broad Uave.iEr curve into the chin
ney was checked suddenly I had r.
peatedly remarked the admirable draft
the faci.e grace of tie flame IS it TO.