Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-02-19
CHAPTER vi,
I Deliver a Message.

- WAS aroused at o'clock the next
morning by the sound OF gun
shots. and. springing out of bed,
beheld in an open pasture be
yond the stable yard the indomitable
Miss HOLSTER engaged in the pleasing
pastime Of breaking clay pigeons with
fOwlinC piece Her Swedish maid
stood by with a formidable pad OF pa
per. keeping score. A boy pulled the
trap for her. and she threw up her gun
and blazed away with q practiced
hand. Her small. slight, tense figure,
awaiting the launching OF the target.
the quick upbring Of the gun as she
sighted, and the pause following the
firing Of the shot, in which she bent
forward rigidly watching the result,
were features OF picture which
would not have missed.
! will write II down here and be
done with II. that It had been my good
fortune TO know many delightful wO-
men. but have never known one more
interesting or charming than Miss Oc-
tavia HOLSTER. The spirit of deathless
youth was in her heart. and youths
gay pennants futtered about her as the
reports OF her gun fell cheerily upon
the crisp morning air. rebuke and a
challenge to all indolent souls.
made myself presentable as quickly
as possible and went forth TO report to
her. She nodded pleasantly as greet
ed her Immediately after she had scor.
ed capital shot. A second gun was pro-
duced. and | saw that 1t was not with
out satisfaction that she observed my
lack Of prowess. one out OF five was
the best / could do, whereas she smash
ed three with the greatest ease.
IF | had known you would be up so
early should have sent coffee TO your
ROOM" she remarked as we walked to-
ward the house. Very likely your lack
OF luck with the birds is attribute BILE
entirely to the impoverished state OF
your stomach
Breakfast was served on a delightful
sun porch that had not before seen.
Cecilia appeared promptly, having, in
fact, been gathering fall flowers for
some time. l judged. from the consid-
cradle arrnful OF chrysanthemums. as
ters, dahlias and marigods which we
found her arranging for the table. She
seemed in excellent spirits and greeted
is most amiably
The mail arrived and was placed by
Miss HOLSTERS plate before we left
the table She opened first a bulky en-
velope containing cuttings from a clip
ping bureau, and she unused aloud upon
these as SHE read:
81
galleOD OF the Bolivian coast sounds
plausible. but | fear it is the work Of
some bright young journalist. Our min
lister I'm that benighted country doesn't
take any stock in IL l had a cable
from him yesterday"
She handed Cecilia number OF let
ters. which the girl opened and then
TO my surprise meekly turned over TO
her aunt Miss HOLSTER surveyed
them critically.
Il thought" she remarked, that that
young Henderson who was so attentive
20 you nj Madrid was an imposter and
this note settles the matter. He fiirted
outrHgeously with Hezekiah behind
your back. He asks II he may call
upon you here II he were the nephew
Of Colonel Abner Henderson OF Roa-
nolie. as he represented himself 20 be.
be would not ask II he might call upon
you. but would have appeared at once
In his proper person 20 pay his ad-
dresses As for these other gentlemen,
we need not discuss them. Their ac-
tons must speak for them"
Miss Hollister, having thus dismissed
her niece's correspondents, rose aud
ed the way 10 the library. Cecilia
ieemed In no wise depressed by her
lunt's fling ut Mr.. Henderson. who