Bisbee daily review., 1915-01-15
Copyright 1910, by Meredith Nicholson

and that had been summoned by Miss uolllster to examine her chmneys could not. however, tell him that until my arrival the chimneys had behaved themselves admirably.
 You've admitted your friendship for this Wiggins person-thats enough. he said when ] had concluded. "I ad- wise you to leave the house at once. tell you he's got to be eliminated from the situation Understand that do not threaten you with violence. but will not promise to abstain from visit ing heavy punishment upon that fel- low. And you? A chimney doctor? am a man of considerable knowledge of the world, and ! say to you very candidly that [ don't believe there is any such profession"
 "Then let me tell you" Il replied. not without heat. that [ anu a graduate in architecture. l am your sisters guest and as she is perfectly competent to manage her owh affairs 1 shall stay here as long as it pleases her to ask me to remain. And now, one other matter How did you gain this roof tonight, when by your own admission you are not on such terms with your sister as would justify you in entering it openly?"
 The moonlight did not fail to convey the contempt in his face. but ! thought he grinned as he answered quietly:
 "You don't seem to understand young man, that you are entitled to no explanations from me Ton strike me as a singuarly fresh young person. It would be a positive grief to me Go feel that my conduct had displcased you And now. as the night grows chill. shall beg you to precede me into the house by the way you came"
 "But first" persisted. "let me ask question. lt is possible that you youJ- self have some preference among your daughters several suitors. Mir Hollis ter. Would you object to telling me which one you would choose for Miss Cecilia?"
 Beyond question the man for Ce cilia. if ] have any voice fin the matter is Lord ArrowoUd."
 "Arrowoodr' exclaimed. "You sur prise me greatly ! saw him at the inn. and he seemed Co me the most in- significant and uuiuteresuug one Of the lot"
 That proves you a person Of poor gifts of discernmeut. Mir Ames." And his tone and manner were quite rem. iuiscent of his sisters ways. and his further explanation proved him even more worthily the brother of his sis ter
 "As ] was obiged' he began. cow ing to am unfortunate physical haudi- cap. Co abandon my art. that of a ma- riue painter. have given my atteu- ton for a number of years to the study of the Irish situation. l met ArrOwood by chance in the highway yesterday, and ! found that he holds exactly my ideas which favor Irish independence" This certainly had the true Holister touch.
 And so," Bassford Hollster con cfuded "l naturally incline toward Arrowood, though he is so poor that he was obliged to come over in the steeraEe to continue his wooiug of my daughter"
 He let himself down into the dark trunk room, waited for me courteously and walked by my side to the stair way, both of us maintaining silence l was deeply curious to know how be had entered and whether he expected Co go down the front way and out thc main door We kept together to the third floor hall. l could have sworn to that Then suddenly just as we reached the stairway. out went the lights, and we were in utter darkness l smOthered an exclamation, cutched my matches and struck light. and as the stick famed slowly ] looked about for Bassford HoIister. But he bad vanished as suddenly and com pletely as though a trap had yawued beneath ms and swallowed him : found the third floor switch. and it responded immediately, flooding Che stair well to the lower hall. but l uei- ther saw nor heard anything more Of Holhster.
 Astounded by this performance, I con. tinucd on 10 the lower floor to have a look around, and there. calmly reading by the library table. sat Miss Octavia
 Hate hours, Mir Amesl" she cried "I supposed you had retiyed long ago.
 Pardon my troubling you. but may I inquire Riiss Holister how long you have been sitting hereT
 The clock on the stair began to strike l2, and she listened composedly to al few of the deep toned strokes before replying.
 Just half an hour ] thought some one knocked at my door about nm hour ago. The lights were on and ] came down, saw a magazine that had cs. capped my eye before and here you ind me"
 some one Knocked at your doorT
 "I thought so You know, the sery ants nave an idea that the place is haunted and thought that if ] sat here the ghost might take 1t upon hm self to walk l confess Co a slight dls. appointment that it Is onlv vou who