The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1913-08-21

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Nine Gentlemen In Silk Hats Crossing
q etits.
herself 40 we descended. The air was
cooling rapidly, and the west was hung
in scarlet and purple and gold. The
horse neighed In the road below, and I
knew that must be on my way to the
manor.
"Hesekiah," said when had
drawn her bicycle from its hiding
place, you'd better leave your wheel
here and let me drive you home. It's
late, and there's frost In the air. I i'm
agine It's some distance to your
house." aA ~
THANK you. Mr.. Chimney Man: it 10
much farther to Aunt Octavia's. But
tell me this: What do you think of
Wiggy's 0hances"
"Of winning your sister? should
say from my knowledge Of Virgins
that he is q man much given to stay.
ing In game once the cards are shut
fed" ...-..... r--....,.-....
"rhen you think be knows the
gamer"
There seemed to be something be.
meath the surface meaning Of her
words, but l answered.:
"Wiggy's affairs have been few. and.
while he may not know the game 10
all It's intricacies. he has shrewd Il
rather SLOW mind. and. besides. he has
asked my help in the matter"
zone Of these speak.for.yourself-
John situations. then? Well. ! should
say, Mr.. Chi nney Man. should say
She made ready for fight, looking
ahead to be sure Of clear thorough
fare. ,...
Il should say" she concluded. set
ting her skirts. that that indicates
considerable intelligence on Wiggy's
part"
The tires rolled smoothly away. the
gravel crunching. the pebbles popping.
The white sweater. clasped a straight
back snugly: then suddenly. as the
wheels gained momentum. she bent
low for squirt. and her rapidly reced-
ing figure became gray blur In the
purple dusk. ... So
-
Miss Octavia was in the gayest spir.
its at dinner that night, and struck
afeld at once with one Of her amusing
dicta. s
Human beings she said. may be
divided into two mountaineering
and uninteresting. but idiots abound In
both classes.
Cecilia and I discussed this with
more or less gravity. until we had ex-
hausted the possibilities, Miss Octavia
following with apparent interest and
setting us off at new tangent when
our enthusiasm Jagged. She referred
In no way whatever to her chimncys.
nor did she ask me how had spent the
day. ] felt the pleading of Cecilia's
eyes that ! should accept the situation
as 1t stood. aud having already agreed
to Virgins suggestion that abide In
Miss HOLSTERS house as spy-for
this was the ignoble fact felt the
threads of conspiracy binding me fast
So far as my hostess was concerned.
I was now less guest than a member
Of the household.
The variety Of subjects that Miss
Octavia suggested was amazing. From
aeronautics to the negro question,
from polar exploration to the political
conditions in Bulgaria, she passed with
the japntiest insouciance and apparent.
" wIth>a considerable fund Of fnfot-
nation to support her positions. She
knew many people in all walks Of life.
As we rose from the table Miss DC.
tavia declared that she must show me
the pie pantry. I was now 30 accus-
toned to her ways that I should not
have been in the least surprised II
she had proposed opening steel vault
filed with mummided Egyptian oy-
nasty.
'The gentleman who built this
house." she explained, "had already
grown rich in the manufacture Of the
famous ribless umbrella before he &C.
quired q second fortune from q nos
trum warranted to cure dyspepsia. he
was Unfortunately fond Of pies, and in
order that this form Of pastry might
never be absent from his home, he had
Z special pantry built to which be
might adjourn at his pleasure without
any fear Of finding the cupboard bare"
She led the way through the buffers
pantry and into q small cupboarded
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