Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1913-03-06
were now swallowing their luncheons
a short distance away from us.
Virgins sulked awhile and then adj

II didn't tell you l was going abroad,
because the situation made explana-
tons difficult. 1 could hardly tell you
that I was about to race over Europe
after a waitress 1 had seer in a tea
room. You're always so confoundedly
suspicious. 1t would have an odd
sound even now if she werewolf. if
she were Il waitress instead of what
you know her to be. And my animos-
ity toward Miss Octavia HOLSTER is
due to the fact that after l had been
as courteous to her all summer long
as 1 could and thought myself toler-
ably established in her mind us d de-
cent person and q gentleman. she sud
denly shuts Cecilia up in that house
bought it on purpose, | fancy-and Ce-
ella herself is compelled to take on
an air of mystery, warning me to keep
away, suggesting the darkest possibili-
ties, but giving me no hint whatever
of the reason for her conduct"
let Us confine ourselves to Miss Oc-
tavia for a moment. While you were
acting as cavalier to her party abroad
she was friendly-then she suddenly
changed. Now there must be some ex-
PLANTATION Of that"
well for one thing, she flew off at a
tangent about my ancestors. We We're
in Berlin On the Fourth of July and
got to talking about the American rev
pie had done for the patriotic cause.
The painful fact is that most Of them
were Tories. but my great-grandfather
broke with his father and brothers.
joined Washington's army and fought
through the whole business. But to
save the feelings of the rest Of them,
who went to England till it was all
over. he changed his name. There's no
mention of him in the war records any,
where. I've had experts working on
it. but they can't find any trace Of him.
He was greatly embittered by the es-
arrangement from his people. and though
he had a farm in this very neighbor-
hood somewhere-I've thought some
time I'd look it up and try to get hold
Of 1.-THE never mentioned his military
experiences even to his W children.
Usually Miss Hollister changes front if
you give her time. I've heard her say
that we'd have been better off If we'd
never broken with England. but she
persists in prodding that weak place
in my armor."
From what you say Cecilia has not
repealed you. On the other hand, she
has frankly given you to understand
that you must not press your suit at
withhold. A little more patience. q
little calm deliberation and less vio-
lent language. and in due course the
girl is yours. Now. what do you fan
cy is the cause Of Cecilia's abrupt
change of a%ttitude?"
He refused to meet my eyes. but
turned away as though to conceal an
embarrassment whose cause l could
not surmise. When he spoke it was in
a voice husky with emotion.
Am 1 a cad? Am l beneath the
contempt Of decent people?
Its possible. Wiggy. that you are.
Go on with it."
we'll, JOu hLO"s Liz UCSdu uiL4
IDENTIFY, Cecilia has a sister"
1 grinned, but his scowl brought me
to myself again.
Eyes. And her name is Hezekiah.
The name pleases me-"
"She was with Miss Octavia in her
gallop over Europe, so l saw a good
deal Of her necessarily. She is young
err than Cecilia. She's a good deal of
a kid-that sort that never grows up.
you know"
Just like her Aunt Octavia."
Bah! Don't mention that woman.
Hezekiah is a very pretty girl, and I
suppose-well. when you are thrown
stantly''-
l clapped my hand on his knee as
the light began to dawn upon me.
You old rascal! You don't need to
add a single word. | dare say you are
guilty. can see it in your eye. After
erection before beginning an attack
upon womankind you began moving
them down in piatoons. So they come
running now that you've got a start.
Oh, Wiggy. And l believed you i'm
mune! And you're trying to drive 'em
tandem.
THAT, you shameless wretch. would
be a sufficient reason for Miss Octavia's
aloofness-your double faced dealing
with her nieces. You confirm my im-
preston that she is a wise woman.
And Cecilia. l take it. may be deeply
embarrassed by her sisters infatuation
for you. You certainly have made a
tangIe Of things, you heart wrecker.
you constituencies deceiver! But where,
may | ask. does this Hezekiah keep
herself"
"Oh. she's with her father. They
have a bungalow over the hills there,
several miles from Hopefeld Manor"
well. l hope you are no longer toy
ing with her affections. OF course you
don't see her any more?"
WELL" he mumbled. Il did see her
this morning. But l couldn't help it.
1t was the merest chance. l met her
in the road when 1 was out taking q