Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1913-07-17

suitors engaged in subdued de-
bate by the hearth. They could
hardly have heard my bleatings over
the telephone, but they were greatly
concerned about something. Shallen-
berger who was apparently the only
one willing to approach me, followed
me to the veranda.
Those fellows III there don't under
stand this. Dick told us last night, aft
err we had called at the house and been
refused admittance, that Miss Cecilia
was ill with diphtheria. | remember
that it was Dick who rang the bell and
gave our cards to the footman. 1t was
quite singular. you know. our being
turned away, unless something had
been wrong"
l bowed gravely They had been
turned away for the very simple rea-
son that after unearthing Adoniram
CaldwellS effects in the secret rooms
of her house Miss Octavia had not
cared to be troubled with SuitorS The
naughty Nebrasllan had drawn upon
his imagination for the rest.
And | understood you to say 4 mo-
ment ago that Miss HOLSTERS malady
is not diphthcria. but chickenpoN:'
Shallenberger persisted with almost
laughable trepidation. These gentle
men, | regret to say. go so far as to
doubt your word
THAT. Mr.. Shallenberger, is their
privilege. But it seems to me that
when l merely tried to mitigate the ter
rible news impaired by Dick you are
rank ingrates for questioning my far
less doubtful story. Anything between
you gentlemen and Mr.. Dick is. OF
course. none Of my affair for whether
considered as set, group or bunch
am done with the whole lot of you.
Farewell"
l decided as l rode away that moth
ing was to be gained by going i'll
search of Virgins. Orton had purpose
ly made his house difficult of access.
and the roads in that neighborhood are
many and devious. Orton had banished
his guests that he might tinker with his
play in peace and, knowing his temper
L was SUN lIlil w lSSlliN tiLNi tlAS ASoN
of them would keep out of his way till
the pangs of hunger drove them back.
I had ridden half Il mile toward
Hopetield when | espied woman rid
ing rapidly toward me. and as she
drew nearer | identified her as HeZe
kiah, mounted on a horse | recognized
as one of the best in Miss Octavia's
stables. Hezekiah rode astride, as a
woman should. her bicycle skirt serv-
ing well as habit. She rode as a boy
rides who loves freedom and quickened
pulses and the rush of wind across his
face She was hatless, for which the
sun and l We're both grateful. The big
bow at the back of her head turned the
dial back to sixteen.
She drew rein and fished what seem
ed to be sailed almonds from her
sweater pocket. She filliped one OF
these into the air and caught it in heI
mouth with a lazy toss of the head that
showed the firm contour of her lovely
throat. | had never seen her more self
possessed
"Do you care much for this horse|
she asked careleSSly.
Its a good horse. l fancy Miss Oc
tavia thinks 50 herself. There are
places, HeZekiah, where they hang
people for horse stealing"
Thought l might need one today, sc
I borrowed him through the back way
to the old red barn. The cOachman is
an ancient chum, and Aunt Octavia
would never mind even if she knew
And she will know, all right! Any
how, my rear tire had been patched
once too often, and there is n Satisfac
ton in a horse Where's our sensitive
and impreSsionable Wiggy? Saw hin
riding over toward Kisco yesterday
p. III. with chin on his chest-dreadfu
riding FORM
Virgins is at Orton's-the play
wright's, you know. I've telcphOned
him to hustle back, but he's out of oul
reach somewhere. | couldn't speak Il
him direct; had to leave a message fol-
him"
Just like Wiggy to die on the last
lap. What did you make out of Broth
e. Pepperton:"
Your note scared me-thanks 81
much for your note-but he's all right
Engaged to another girl "
All" she sighed. ITS comforting
that Cecilia couldn't keep them all
going all the time
We rode along together. our horses
in walk. and l told her everything
l knew Of the condition Of affairs, in
Guiding a true account Of my ca
periences ut the inn the day before
and of the finding of the old chest be-
longing to Virgins great-grandfather
her brown eyes opened wide ct this
concluding with the dtphtheria strata
gem and Dicks menace 10 Cecilia s
happiness.
Hes really bright little boy. Com
ing home on the steamer he gave me
a post graduate course in pragmatism
+ho- T'y-a f.upi halyful In lyaoviu q