Bisbee daily review., 1915-01-19
Tie Siege of The Seven Snitors
 By MEREDITH NICHOLSON
Copyright 1910, by Meredith Nicholson


 into the house last night. He wrote a note asking me Co meet him on the roof and bring the foils. That was not unlike him. as be is the dearest father in the world, and his whims are just as jolly in their way as Aunt Octavias I was sure that Aunt Octavh had re tired for the night SO l changed my dress and carried the foils up through the trunk room. had hardly reached there before my father appeared The whole situatioG-my being there and all that-has distressed father "You think she asked, that those lights couldn't have winked out twice by themselves while you were on the stairway ?'--
 "I am positive of it. And somebody "a being Of some sort-passed me on the stairway lt~ might imaginably huye been you" "Eut ] ten you positively it was not "Theu 1t might have been your father A man who can enter house lt win might easily play any manner of other tricks His disappearance after ! had gone down into the house with him was just as mysterious as the ghost" "It was natural for father not tO want you to know how he got in. The mo tive for that would be the fact that he is not supposed to see me or communi- cate with me in any way"
 "It must have occurred to you that there is one member of the Hollister family we haven't mentioned in this connection"
 "If you mean Hezekiah'-
 None otherr
 "If Hezekiah or my father should be caught in the house while ] am there just now we should all pay dearly fer It. Believe me this is true Some day you may know the why's and where flores: at present no one may know. But why should Hezekiah wish to prowl about there at night-to assume for moment that she is doing it| Her manner was wholly earnest. It was plain that sue had entered into some sort of compact with her aunt, and no doubt the arrangement was in the characteristic whimsical vein of which I had enjoyed personal experi- ence | did not wish to press Cecilia for explanations she might not be free to make, but ] ventured suggestion or two
 "Hezekiah may be entering the house aud playing ghost for amusement merely in a spirit Of childish rebellion against the interdictlon that forbids her the house That is quite plausible, Hezekiah being the spirited young per son we know her to be. And it may amuse her, too. to plug the chimneys at a time when Der sister is enjoying ! the visits of suitors Without quite realizing that such was her animus, she may be the least-the very least bit jealous"
 Cecilia flushed. and her eyes flashed indignantly. She bent toward me ea- gerly.
 "Please do not say such a thing! You must not even think itr'
 "She may be a little forlorn, alone in your fathers house over the hills at times when you are surrounded by ad- | mirers. and it is my assumption from what have learned in one way and another of your flight abroad last sum mer that souQ' of these gentlemen now established at the Prescott Arms are known to her"
 "Oh. all Of them. certainly"
 And Hartley Wiggius among the restE"
 "That. Mir Ames. Is most unkind" |" she declared earnestly. "She has told me that she was not in Che least in- terested in Mr. Wiggins"
 "And she told me the same thing. but do not feel sure of it But what if she isf You arc not really interested in him vourself,'
 She did Dot vouchsafe any reply to my statement. hut chaH-pd the subject abrup,lg 3ly description of Che ghost had taken considerable lime. and we were now at the end of our journey
 "l count on Finishing my erraud and taking the 2.07.' she remarked
 'Thats a short time to allow your self I've heard that it's a dreary busi- ness chasing the employment agen- oies"
 Not if you know where not to go IT you'll get me a machine of some sort Ili be or at once"
 "l fear ! shan't conclude my own business SO soon. but if you will honor me at luncheon'- sorry, Mir. Ames but it's out of the question l hope to see you at dinner tonight And pease'- Yes, Miss Holllster"-
 Please remember that you are Aunt Octavias guest and don't annoy her by failing 10 appear at dinner Yon kuow you hayen't nxed that chimney yet"
 Her smile left me well in the air. 5 stood staring after the very common. place cab as it rolled away with her my mind whirling chaos of emotion The crowd iostled me impatienty, for other people, not breathing celestial ether from an hour of Cecilia Hollis ters society, were bent upon the dave business
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