Perth Amboy evening news., 1913-02-20

The TIM wRs a mile distant. and I sci
Of at a brisk pace. turning over II my
mind various projects for contrOllin l
the characters now npon THE stage III
such ann that Virgins should be
not always run away from him with
out violating the terms OF her aunt's
stipulation, and 1t was unlikely tina,
she would attempt further to guide oil
thwart the pointing finger of fate.
relied little upon any arrangement ef.
fected among the suitors to stand to-
gether. Hume had already found q
chance to speak. Lord Arrowood had
bitten the dust and turned his face
iIomeward, and Virgins had been near
the brink only that morning. 1t was
unlikely that any OF the active candi-
dates remaining would stumble upon
the key to the situation. which Heze-
kiah had given into my keeping.
1t was well on toward 2 o'clock when
] approached the Inn. Before long the
suItors woHld depart for their after
| noon call at the manor, which was an
established event of the day. Just as /
| was about to enter the gate | was ar
rested by an imperious voice calling.
and John Stewart Dick came running
toward me. To my surprise he greeted
me cordially. even offering his hand.
You thought you would come after
all. Well. I'm glad you did. I've decid-
ed that there should be peace between
u.s."
In stature he was the shortest OF the
%suitors, but what he lacked In height
was compensated for by a tremendous
dignity.
you have several times addressed
me. Mr.. Ames. in a spirit of contnmely
which | have hesitnted to punish by
tho chastisement you deserve. but !
I'm willing to let bygones be bygones.
I had intended to offer myself to Miss
Hoilister this afternoon, with every
hope Of success. but ! yield to you.
My only request Ia that you inform me
at once when you have learned her
decision"
He clapped on his cap and folded his
arms. clearly satisfied with the ex-
pressions Of surprise to which my feel
lngs betrayed me. Could It be possible
that he had guessed the truth. perhaps
by deductive processes of which l was
ignorant7 Whether he had reasoned
from some remark thrown out by Miss
Octavia ns to the influence of seven
In the affairs of life and her npplica-
ton OF that fateful principle to the
choice Of a husband for Cecilia. l could
not guess. but assuming that he hid
caught that clew. he might readily
enough have managed the rest. ! must
not allow him to see what suspected.
My lear professor, there's an an
Client warning against the Greeks bear
Ing gifts. You must give me time to
inspect the horse"
Are you questioning my good faith
BE 1t far from me! I'm a good deal
tickled. though. by your genial Is
sumption that II | offered myself tc
this lady l should be declined with
thanks"
He was again ~belligcrent. 1t may
have occurred to him that / might
know as much rs he. but Mt my rate
he grinned. 1t was a saturnine grin !
did not like.
I'm starving to death Mt the door OF
in Inn. and you must excuse me. Have
you seen Hartley Virgins lately?"
II have indeed. He's taken to lonely
horseback rides. He's off somewhere
now. He hasn't the stamina for a con-
test like this. One by one the autumn
leaves are falling" he added. with spe-
cial intention. land l have given you
your chance"
Thanks. light bringing, Socrates
from the lands OF the Ogalallas. For
80 much courtesy l shall take pleasure
In reading all your posthumous works.
Let us cease being absurd"
With this l left him and entered the
low raftered office. 1t was really q
pleasant %lounglng room. unspoiled by
the usual hotel office paraphernalia.
Dick had followed close behind. and as
l paused, hearing voices raised angrily
In the dining DOT beyond. turned to
him for an explanation. AS the suttors
h"u Deeu tue outy kucslS Vi hAc inh
since their advent. l attributed the CON-
motion TO strife In their own ranks.
You'd better take a look at those
fellows. I've quit them-quite out Of
1t. Remember that" said Dick.
The dining room door was slightly
ajar, and | flung 1t open.
Ormsby. Shallenberger. Henderson.
Hume. Gorse and Arbuthnot had been
engaged with cards at u round table In
an alcove. but some dispute having ap-
parently risen. they stood In their
places engaged In acrimonious debate.
As near as I could determine. some one
of them-I think it was Ormsby-wish-
ed to abandon the game. which had
been undertaken to determine in what
order they should be permitted to pay
visits to Iiopefeld in future. the calls
together having grown intolerable.
They were go absorbed that they failed
to note my appearance.
IT'S no good. | tell your cried Orms-
by. There's no fairness in this unless
NIL take their chances together!"
You ought to have thought of that
before we began. This was your