Graham guardian., 1913-09-12


"Becnuse, knowing Cecilia's admira-
ton for him." replied Hezekiah de-
murely. II have kept him so diverted
that he hasn't been able to bring him
self TO the scratch
"You didn't want him to blunder In
as the first, fourth or sixth many'
liezekiah gravely nodded her pretty
head.
And while you were engaged In this
sisterly labor. Cecilia has been afraid
that you were seriously Interested in
himw
THAT is Hike Cecilia. She's fine. and
wouldn't cause me trouble for any
thing" and there was no doubt of
IIezekiah's sincerity.
"But now that see the light and un-
derstand all this. how can we make
sure that Wiggy viii be on the spot at
the right moment? While we sit here
he may be the sixth man. | might
take care OF Wiggy by asking Cecilia
to marry me. being careful to have him
appear Johnny on the spot when | Ind
been duly declined"
"Um. ] shouldn't tnke any chances II
were you." she replied, feigning to
look at an imaginary bird in tree top,
"for II you had counted wrong and
were really the seventh man she would
have to accept you!"
"Hezekiah!'
"oh, really didn't mean what you
thought ! meant We don't need to
discuss II any more That's the ordeal
I've arranged for you." she answered
and set her lips sternly.
"But. my dear Hezekiah. by what
means can this be effected? don't
dare tell him the combination he's
playing against or sltson him until his
hour strikes"
Certainly not: you mustn't tell him
or anybody else. You know the plan;
but you're not supposed to- and no.
body must know I've meddled. Mean
while Cecilia must expose herself to
proposals at all times Aunt 0ctavta's
heart would be broken II she thought
Providence had been tampered with.
She likes Wiggy well enough. except
that his ancestors were all Tories, and
he can't lie Il Son Of the Revolution"
She rose md pointed to her coat.
drop Il into the boat for me. Chin.
neys. We meet in funny places don't
we? Papa expects me for luncheon.
and must row back and get my bl.
cycle. You? No. you can't go along;
you've got lot Of thinking to do. and
you'd better be doing It."
A few minutes later. as swung
along the highway toward the Pres
colt Arms. | saw Cecilia Holllster rid.
ing toward me at lively gallop.
She crossed the bridge without check
ing her horse. and then, with hurried
glance over her shoulder. she pointed
with her crop to byway.
hurried after her and found her
waiting for me in a quiet lane. She had
dismomted and seemed greatly dis.
turbed as addressed her
81 hadn't expected to meet you. l
thought you rode of with your aunt to-
ward Mount Kisco,"
I'VE did. but on our way home Aunt
Octavia stopped to call on friend. and
as didn't feel in mood for visits this
morning. ! rode on alone. was walk.
ing my horse In the road beyond Bed
ford, Just after | left Aunt Octavia.
when who should ride up beside me but
Mr.. Virgins. He had evidently been
following me-"
She expected me to express surprise.
and with the information that Heze-
kiah had Just impaired fresh in my
mind dare say she was not disap-
pointed In the effect Of her words. |
was thinking rapidly and fearfully. II
ny friend had sought her In the high
way and offered himself In some fresh
accession of arior he might even now
be a rejected aud hopeless man, but I
was unwilling to believe that this had
happened.
won't you tell rue what happened
In the road when Hartley rode up be-
side your
''Oh. nothing happened; really. moth
ing! Nothing could have happened for
the excellent reason that ran away
from him. 1t wasn't what he did or
said, it was the fear Of what he might
say!" ~
"lf 1t had been Mr.. Dick who had
Joined you In exactly the same way in
the highway, you would not have
minded In the least. Miss Hollster.
Isn't that the truthT'