The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1913-10-02

! expressed outrage" dignity as
she tested the saddle girth.
| you need never tell me what had
happened to provoke your wrath. for
that is none Of my affair. but wish to
say that your conduct and bearing won
my highest approval. They had un-
doubleday hidden the jack Of clubs to
avoid the drubbing you would have
administered to the unfortunate man
who would have drawn that card If it
had been in the pack"
II was not in the slightest danger at
any time. Miss HOLSTER" I protested.
by one of those tricks of fate to
which you and l are becoming so ac-
customed the card had fallen to the
door unnoticed. II you had not arrived
20 .epportunely the lost jack would have
been discovered. the cards reshufled:
and very likely Mr.. Ormsby would have
been busting the inn door with me at
this very minute
II refuse to believe any such thing
declared Miss Octavia. who had mount
ed and continued speaking from the
saddle. ''Your perfect confidence was
admirable. and I shudder to think Of
the terrible punishment you would
have given them"
If Miss Octavia wished to view my
performances In this catering light it
seemed unnecessary to object
1T was only a pleasant incident Of
the days work. Miss HOLSTER. I'm 60
ing to engage squire and take to the
open road as soon as all this is over"
"As soon as all what is over:" she de-
manded. eying me keenly.
"Oh, the work I've undertaken to do
here. hatter myself that have made
some progress. but within twenty-four
hours ! dare say that we shall have
seen the end"
"Your words are not wholly lumt-
nous. Arnold"
1T is much better that it should be
90. You have trusted me 50 far. and
l have no intention Of falling you now.
If say that the crisis Is near at hand
In certain matter that interests you
greatly. you will understand that l am
not striking ignorantly In the dark"
III you know what l suspect you
know. Arnold Ames. you are even
than I thought you. and you
had already taken high place in my
regard"
"Will you tell me Just bow you
came to visit the inn at this particular
honr?''
Nothing could be simpler. had
luncheon at the house of friend on
whom called. Cecilia had left m0
to continue her ride alone. and on, my
way home I thought wonld ridesAv7.
the Prescott Arms to zee how the
quests were faring. You see"-she !,
paused and give q witch 30 her hse
to prolong my suspense "you sec,
own the Prescott Armsv'
With this she rode away, and not
caring to risk further meeting with
the angry suitors from whom Misc
Octavta had rescued me BY 30 narrow
J margin. set OF across the field b.
ward Hope6eld. From the st1le l saw
Miss Octavia In the highway half Z
mile distant. sending her horse along
It spirited canter. reached the
house without further adventures. VA
served with q cold luncheon in my
room, and BY the time I had changed
ny clothes Miss Octavia sent me word
hat Pepperton had arrived.
Miss Octavia and the architect were
earnestly when I reached
he library. and from the abruptness
With which they ceased on my en-
rance / imagined that had been the
'ubject Of their talk. Pepperton 10 not
,nly one Of the finest architects Amer
ca has produced. but one Of the jolh-
ut Of fellows. Re grasped nv. hand
cordially and b6inte tp ths fireplace.
80 you've At last found one Of my
obs to overhaul. have you? You
mustn't lot this get out on me. old
nan; It would SKATER my rsputat1oor'
please observe that the due 10 draw
ng splendidly now" answered. "A
host had been strolling up and down
hs chimney, but now that l have
ound his hair he will not trouble Miss
Iollister's f1replaces again"
Il have waited for your arrival, Mr..
Hyperion. that we might have the
ene6t Of your knowledge Of the house
q following the trai! Of this ghost
which Arnold has discovered. But We
nust give Arnold credit for e6ecdng
be discovery alone and unaided. de-
troyed the plans obtained from your
mce 80 that Arnold might be fully
ested as to his capacity for managing
be most difficult situations"
When Miss Octavia first referred to
,e rs Arnold. Pepperton raised bis
rows trifle; the second time he
lanced at me laughingly. He seemed
realty amused by Miss Octavia's seri-
usness. but her amiable attitude to-
ard me clearly puzzled him.
1T takes a good man to uncover a
hing FRY to- MIDI. u said nothing to
on, Mics Hollhter. about the feteatien !,
'ithin the walls of this house Of parts
an old one that formerly occupied
,e site for the reason that l thought
gu might refuse to buy the estate.