Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-02-12

very agreeable" remarked Cecilia coli
orlessly.
For myself" retorted Miss Hollis
ter, Al should speak even more strong
ly. He repeatedly served us with tact
and delicacy. l had formed so high
an opinion of Mr.. Virgins that learn-
ed with sincerest regret that his an.
cestors were Tories and took no part
in the struggle for American independ.
ence. There are times when 1 serious,
" question the wisdom of the Colonists
in breaking with the motheE country,
but certainly no man Of character In
that day could have heSitated as TO his
proper course"
Then. as though by intention. Miss
HOLSTER dropped upon the smooth cur-
rent of our talk a sentence that drove
the color from Cecilia's face.
"Hezekiah and Mr.. Virgins were the
best of friends" was Miss HollisterI
remark.
Cecilia's eyes were on her plate, but
her aunt went on in her hlitheSt fash.
ion:
you may not know that Hezekiah is
another niece, Cecilia's sister. She
was named, at my suggestion, for my
father, there being no son in the fam.
fly, and 1 trust that so unusual a name
in young girl does not strike you AZ
indefensible."
"On the contrary, it seems to me
wholly refreshing and delightful. AS
/ recall the Sunday school of my youth,
l.
thority, whose animosity toward Sem
nacherib was justified in the fullest
degree The very name bristles with
spears and is musical with the trum-
pets of Israel. Nothing would make
me happier than to meet the young
lady who bears this illustrious name"
"As to the your knowledge of ancient
history, Mr.. Ames," began Miss Hol'
lister as she helped herself to the
cheese-sweets, L noted, were not in
Guided in the very ample meal 1 had
enjoyed-'it is clear that you were
we'll taught in your youth. 1 am not
surprised, however, for 1 should have
expected nothing less Of a son OF the
late General Ames of Hartford. As to
meeting my niece Hezekiah, fear that
that is at present impossible. Willis
Cecilia remains with me Hezekiah'a
duty is to her father. and must say
in all kindness that HcZekiah's ways.
like those Of Providence and the GUS
tom house, are beyond my feeble I'M
Outstanding. In a word, Mr.. Ames,
Hezekiah is different"
"Hezekiah," added Cecilia, with
feeling, lis a dear"
"Please don't bring sentimentAlism
to the tablet" cried Miss Hollister.
Mr.. Virgins once informed me in y
moment of forgetfulness-i was at
Fontainebleau, l remember, when
Hezekiah persisted in reminding one
armed French colonel who was hang
ing about that we named cities in
America for Bismarck-it was there at
the inn that Mr.. Virgins conlided to
me his belief that Hezekiah bears a
strong resemblance to the common or
domestic peach. AS single peach at
that place was charged in the bill At
! 10 francs, the remark was Ill timed, to
say the least. But Mr.. Virgins was
| so contrite when / rebuked him that /
allowed him to pay for on" luncheon
| no small matter, indeed. for Heze-
kiahs appetite is nothing If not ro-
| bust"
Miss HOLSTER gave 50 many turns 20
/ the conversation that ! could reach no
/ conclusion as 70 her feeling toward
| Virgins or HeZakiah HOLSTER, and, az
for Cecilia, | WAS unable 10 determine
whether she was prisoner at Hope
field Manor or the willing and devoted
companion OF her aunt.
IN this bewildcred state Of mind,
while we fingered over our coffee, the
servant appeared with card for each
| Of the ladies' ! saw Cecilia start as
she read the name.
Mr. Virgins. How remarkable That
he should have appeared just as we
We're sIeaEiug Of him" said Miss HoI-
lister BE sure the gentleman IL com
Portable in the library, James. We
shall he IN ~t once. Mr.. Ames. You
win. Of course. be delighted to meet
your friend Le-p. and you will assist us
in distressing our meager hospitality"
ETo De ,yat!uued)