Graham guardian., 1913-10-24

begun Virgins as we left Hezekiah
and started toward Hopefleld.
Nothing whatever the matter. Ev.
erythlng perfectly all. right. but you've
got to keep mum now and do what l
tell you. I've worked hard for you, old
man. and when it's all over Pm going
TO send you bill for professional serv-
| ices. Gomez
| urged my horse to his utmost, and
Virgins rode steadily beside me. The
fright 0rton had given him had done
my friend good, and felt that was
dealing with liye man at last.
"I'll tell you all about this after we
have good night cigar tonight"
We rode direct to the stable, and l
took Virgins to my room by the back
stairs and babe him help himself to my
raiment. He was perfectly, tractable.
and l was glad to see that he trusted
implicitly to my guidance.
met Miss Octavia in the lower hall.
She was just in from the kennels.
II hope, Arnold. that you have not
been without entertainment BY the
way, II you should by any chance see
Hezekiah you win kindly intimate to
her that II she returns that mare she
borrowed this morning In reasonably
good condition I will overlook her in
discretion In taking II from the stable
without permission"
She did not wait for reply, but
continued on to her room, and I went
direct to the terrace. Cecilia and Pep
perton were Just going into the house
to look up book or piece of music
which they had been discussing. Ce-
ella was making herself interesting, as
she so well knew how to do, and she
seemed In no wise anxious.
"we had forgotten tea," she said.
"Aunt Octavia has Just ordered it,
+She and Mr. Pepperton may have
their tea. believe the air outside will
do you good for a little longer-so IL
you don't mind, Pepperton, Miss Hol-
lister will resume her promenade
alone"
Pep has told me since that he
thought me quite mad that afternoon.
4 bade Cecilia patrol the long terrace
slowly. She turned mp the collar Of
the covert coat and obeyed, laughing a
little nervously, but asking no ques-
tlons. The scene could not have heen
more cliarmingiy set. The great house
doomed darkly behind her: beneath lay
Ilie garden, over which the dusk wns
stealing goldenly.
She paused suddenly as l watched
from the window, and stepped out to
see what had attracted her attention,
There Into the garden from its farthest
entrance filed the six suitors who had
previously come to sit beneath the
windows of their stricken lady. Hav-
ing failed to visit their wrath upon
the perfi1ious Dick they had changed
their clothes and returned to Hope
field. If Hezekiah had not expressly
commanded me not to become the
sixth man, should have offered my
self on the spot and waited only un-
til Cecilia had made the inevitable an
swer before summonlng Virgins to
end the whole afrsir. Such, however,
was not to be the order of events.
The procession, headed by Ormsby.
was within few yards of the terrace.
Cecilia, apparently unconscious of their
proximity. continued her promenade.
In moment she must recognize them.
ask them Into the house. give them
tea and otherwise destroy my hope Of
securing her happiness before the
days end.
A chorus Of yelps and barks. rs Of
dogs suddenly released. greeted my
ear. The oncoming suitors. heard 1t.
too. and the line wabbled uncertainty.
Then round the house swept mastiffs.
hounds, terriers-a collection of prize
winners such as few kennels ever
bonsted-loplng gayly In unwonted
freedom toward unknown and forbid
den pastures.
The vanguard of fox terriers leaped
down into the garden, with the rest of
the pack at their heels Happy dogs,
to find grown men ready for a gam
boil! Four Of the sritors found one
OF the proper exits into the road; two
leaped the box hedge OH the other side
without shaking leaf.
(To BE CoNTINUED)