' 5,
EEEZEK1AH
jijvxnjtnjnru"in-njLiji.rir ri-
CHAPTER XII.
I Play Truant.
t S I Bat at the table absorbed in
A niy plans for the day my
Af nerves received a sudden
shock. I had heard no one en
ter, yet a voice at my shoulder mur
mured casually:
Hast thou seen ghosts? Hast thou at mid
night heard
It was the voice of Uezeklah, I
knew before I faced her. She wore a
blue sailor waist, with a broad red
ribbon tied under the collar, and a
blue tanvo'-Bhanter capped her head.
She bore a tray that contained my
omelet, a plate of toast and other
sundries Incidental to a substantial
breakfast, which she distributed deft
ly upon the table.
"How did you get here?" I blurted,
ray nerves still out of control.
"The kitchen door, sir. I had ridden
into the ganleu, and, seeing Aunt Oc
tavia heading for the stables and Ce
cilia at the kitchen window, I pedaled
boldly iu. Cecilia wanted to borrow
my bicycle, and, being a good little
sister, I gave It to her. She also said
that you required food, so I told her
to go and I would carry you your
breakfast. I shall skip myself In a min
ute. You may draw your own coffee.
Mind the machlue. It tips if you are
not careful."
She went to the window and peered
out toward the stables.
"May I ask, daughter of kings,
where your sister has cone so sud-
..denlyr . , . ,
"Certainly 1 She's off for town to
chase a cook and a few other people
to run this hotel. I heard at the post
office that the whole camp had desert
ed, so I ran over to see what was do
ing. And Just for that I've got to
walk home."
"But your aunt said that Frovidence
would take care of the servant ques
tion. She expected a wholo corps of
ideal servants to come straying in dur
ing the day."
"Cecilia hasn't Aunt Octavla's confi
dence in Providence, so she's taking a
shot at the employment agencies. She
has left a note on the kitchen table to
Inform Aunt Octavia that she had for
gotten an engagement with the dentist
and has gone to catch the 10:18."
"That, Hezekinh, Is a He. It isn't
quite squnre to deceive your aunt that
way," I remarked soberly.
Ilezeklah laughed.
"You absurdity! Don't you know
Aunt Octavia jet? She will be perfect
ly overjoyed when she comes back and
finds that note from Cecilia. She likes
disappearances, mysteries and all that
kind of thing. But it Is barely possi
ble that you will have to wash the
dishes. I can't, you see, for I'm not
supposed to coiiie on the reservation at
nil not until Cecilia has found a hus
band. Isn't it perfectly delicious?"
"All of that, daughter of kings! I
think that as soon ns I can regain con
fidence In my own sanity I shall like
It myself. Rut" and I watched her
narrowly "you see, Hezekinh, there is
really a ghost, you know."
Her divine laugh bubbled mellowly.
She had walked guardedly to the win
dow and turned swiftly with a mockery
of fear in her fuOe.
"Aunt Octavia approaches, and I
must be ofT. But that ghost, Mr. Chim
ney Man when you And him please let
me know. There are n lot of things I
want to ask some reliable ghost about
the hereafter."
With this she fled, and I heard the
front door close smartly after her. An
instant later Miss Octavia appeared
and asked solicitously how I liked my
omelet.
'The coachman has been telling me
a capital ghost story. He believes
tbem to be beneficent and declares that
he will under no circumstances leave
my employment."
She sat down and folded her arms
upon the table. For the first time I i
believed thut she was serious. There !
was, In fact, a troubled look on her
sweet, whimsical face. It occurred to
me that the loss of her servants wng
not really the slight matter she had
"Mr. Am win v nnr,!,,,, m fr
asking you a question of the most in-
tlmnte character? It is only after much
hesitation that I do bo."
I bowed encouragingly, my curiosity
fully aroused.
"You may ask me anything in the
world, Miss Holllster."
"Then I. wish you would tell me
The Siege
of the
Seven Suitors
By
MEREDITH NICHOLSON
Copyrl(bt. 1910. by Meredith Nkhelwi
I recalled the silver bound book per
fectly, but had attached no importance
to it, but If Cecilia's fortunes were so
Intimately related to it as Miss IIollls
ter's manner Implied, I felt that I must
be careful of my answer. I was trying
to recall the precise moment at which
I had entered the library the preceding
evening after Hume's departure, and
while I was intent upon this my silence
must have been prolonged. I felt
obliged to make an answer of somo
sort, aud yet I did not relish the
thought of conveying information that
might distress aud embarrass a noble
girl like Cecilia Holllster. Something
in my face must have conveyed a hint
of this Inner conflict to Miss Holllster,
for she rose suddenly, holding up her
hand ns though to silence mo. She
seemed deeply moved nnd cried In agi
tation: "Do not answer me! The question
was quite unfair quite uufair and yet
I assure you that at the moment
made the inquiry I felt justified."
She retreated toward the door as
rose, and then, with her composure
fully restored, she courtesled grace
fully.
"Luncheon here will be a buffet af
fair today, as I shall be engaged with
matters of pastry. I'm sure, however,
"Can I give you a lift?"
that you will find employment uutil
dinner time, when my house will be
fully iu order again."
I intended that this should be a busy
day, so without making explanations
I went to the stable, told the coach
man I wished to be driven to the sta
tion and was soou whizzing over the
hills toward Katonab.
I wondered how Wiggins and the oth
er gentlemen at the Prescott Arms
were faring. My question was par
tially nuswered n second later as we
passed the road that forked off to the
Inn. On n stone by the roadside sat
Lord Arrowood, desolately guarding a
kit bag nnd a suit case, lie was dress
ed In a shabby Norfolk Jacket and
knickerbockers and sucked a pipe.
I bade the driver pause and greeted
Hie nobleman affably.
"Can I give you a lift? You seem to
be bound for. the station, and I'm tak
ing a train myself."
"No. thanks," 'he replied sharply.
"They're n lot of bounders-bounders.
1 say!"
"Ah! Of whom do you speak, Lord
Arrowood?" I asked, glancing at my
watch.
"Those scoundrels at the inn. They
have thrown mo out thrown me out
me!"
"Hard lines, for a fact, but If you
are Interested In trains"
"I refuse to leave the county!" he
shouted. "If they think they're going
to get rid of me they're mistaken.
Bounders, I say. bounders!"
He tittered this opprobrious term
with great bitterness and crossed his
legs, us though to emphasize his per
manence uixn the bowlder. Patience
Ion a monument Is not more eternally
! I"8"1- "e seemeci in no niooa ror
conversation, so I sid on, with n.
itlu?e V" ,HKC'
I gained the step of the chair cur at-
tnrhccl to the 10:18 with some loss of
diKnl,.v. "-' l'tor yanklng me aboard
!under lue conductor's scornful eye.
! . . T . 1 . ii I
i pnsTiigers were sun in
the aisle, and as I surveyed them I
saw Cecilia tnke a seat In the middle
of the car. She was Just unfolding a
newspaper when I moved to a seat
behind her nnd bade her good morning,
Tjie jQoJ-Jih-e gnvp-wo In lumlny
roun3 ln7TIlifU "something of TTezckl
ah's quizzical humor. This Interested
me. because I had not previously seen
any but the most suirrtk-ial resem
blance between the sisters. Her cheeks
were aglow from her sprlut on the
wheel.
"We nre both truants. You must
have breakfasted In a hurry to have
caught this train."
"Not all. I enjoyed a brief conversa
tion with your sister, and after she
had gone your aunt came back and
lingered for a moment."
"She told you, I supimse, that Provi
dence would look after the "servant
question. I'm going to assist Provi
dence n little."
"You become the vlcaresa of Provi
dence? I admire your spirit"
"It's mere self preservation. Aunt
Octavia would have me chained to the
kitchen if I didn't do something about
It"
She had permitted me to settle with
the conductor, nnd when I had coin
Dieted this transaction I found that she
had drawn from her purse the little
silver booklet about which Miss Octa
via had inquired so anxiously. She rais
ed her eyes with the faraway look In
them.
"Can you tell me how to spell Ar
rowood is It one or two w's?"
"One I think the noble lord uses."
She seemed to write the name, and
I saw her counting on her fingers,
touching them lightly on the open page
of the book.
Then she dropped It Into her purse,
which she thrust back carefully into
her pocket. She sighed and was silent.
I gave her In detail the story of the
ghost, nnd my recital seemed to amuse
her greatly.
"You thought it was Aunt Octavia
herself at first, then you thought 1 was
the apook, and now you are not fully
persuaded that it is not my father. 1
will tnke you into my confidence this
far that I don't know how father got
Info the house last night. He wrote a
note asking me to meet him on the
roof und bring the foils. That was not
unlike him, as he Is the dearest father
iu the world, and his whims are just
ns Jolly iu their way ns Aunt Octavla's
I was sure that Aunt Octavia had re
tired for the night, so I changed my
dress and carried the foils up through
the trunk room. I hnd hardly reached
there before m.v father appeared. The
wholo situation my being there and
all that has distressed father.
"You think,' sho 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. It might imaginably
have been you."
"But I tell you positively It was not."
"Then It might have been your father
A man who can enter n house at will
might easily play any manner of other
tricks. Ills disappearance after I had
cone down into the house with him
was just as mysterious ns the ghost."
"It was natural for father not to want
you to know how he got In. The mo
tive for tliut would be the fact that he
Is not supposed to see me or eommunl
cnte with me in uny way."
"It must have occurred to you that
there is one member of the Holllster
family we haven't mentioned In this
connection."
"If you mcau Hezekinh"
"None other!"
"If Ilezeklah or my father shou'.d be
caught in the house while I am there
Just now we should all pay dearly for
it. Believe ine, this is true. Some day
you may know the. whys and where
fores: at present no one may know
But why should Uezeklah wish
to
prowl about there at night to assume
for a moment that she Is doing It?"
Her manner was wholly earnest. It
was plain that she hnd entered into
some sort of compact with her aunt,
aud no doubt the arrangement was in
the characteristic whimsical vein of
which I had enjoyed personal experi
ence. I did not wish to press Cecilia
for explanations she might not be free
to mnke, but I ventured n suggestion or
two.
"Uezeklah may be entering the house
and playing ghost for amusement,
merely in a spirit of childish rebellion
agatnst the Interdiction that forbids
her the house. That Is quite plausible,
Ilezeklah being the spirited young per
son we know ber to be. And It may
amuse her, too, to plug the chimneys
at a time when her sister is enjoying
the visits of suitors. Without quite
realizing thnt such was her animus,
she may be the least the very least
bit jealous!"
Cecilia Bushed, and her eyes flashed
indignantly. She bent toward me ea
gerly. "Please do not say such a thing!
You must not even think It!"
'S4ie may be a little forlorn, alone
In your father's house over the hills at
times when you are surrounded by ad
mirers, and It Is my assumption from
what I have learned In one way and
another of your flight abroad last sum
mer that somo of these gontlemen now
established at the Prescott Arms are
known to her."
"Oh, all of them, certainly."
"And Hartley Wiggins among . the
rest?"
"Thnt, Mr. Ames, Is most unkind,"
'he declared earnestly. "She has told
me that she was not In the least in
terested In Mr. Wiggins."
"AndJ')l)8,told mo the same thing, but
I do not feel sure of It. But what If
iB,,e ' Von are not really Interested
ln Wm yourself!"
I She did not vouchsafe any reply to
imw " n t. i....4 1 , . . . 1 . 1 . .
mnwimMii, um i-uunKeu me suDject
, ouruptiy. .My description of the ghost
nal taken considerable time, and we
were now at the end of our Journey,
I "I count on finishing my errand and
taking the 2:07," she remarked.
.Jlt'l J jhortjlmg to allow your-
self. I've heifnl thaTTt's a dreary "busi
ness chasing the employment agen
cies." "Not if you know where not to go.
If you'll get me a machine of some
sort I'll be off at once."
"1 fear I shan't conclude my own
kuslnsss so soon, but if you will honor
nie at luncheon"
"Sorry. Mr. Ames, but It's out of the
question. 1 hope to see you at dinner
tonight. Aud please"
"Yes. Miss Ilollister"-
"Please remember that you are Aunt
Octavla's guest and don't annoy her
by falllug to appear ut dinner. You
know you haven't fixed that chimney
yet."
Her smile left me well In the air. 1
stood staring after the very common
place cab as it rolled nwny with her,
my mind whirling chaos of emotion.
Tho crowd Jostled me Impatiently, for
other people, not breathing celestial
ether from an hour of Cecilia Hollis-
ter' society, were bent uon tho day's
business.
(To He Continued.)
CASS COUNTY ITEMS, .fr
PERU, NEB. -I-
Florence Wilkinson lias accept
ed a splendid position at Sends
Bluffs for next year. .
We regret very much the fact
thai Miss Pearl Hells will not be
here with us in summer school
Mr. Moore, superintendent of
Hi I lie Osceola schools, gave
plendid talk in chapel Wednesday
morning.
imam itoeitger lias taken
charge of I lie tennis courts, am
ie certainly keeps them in line
cuii. Ml inn.
Tennis is in full sway now. The
tluli has sevenly-llii'ce members
who have paid I heir dues, am
several others have promised to
join.
I he I'eru nase nan learn are on
a trio this week. From t ln daily
reports I hoy have won every game
thus far. They play Shenandoah
here Sal urday.
From all reports Villa (lapen is
doing excellent work in (lie do
mestic science department,
are proud to know thai she
Cass county girl.
We
is a
CHARLES AND ROSS
COLLINS ARRESTED ON
- CHARGES FROM 8ELLEVU
From Friday's Dally.
This morning Chief of Polio
Hen Itainey look Charles and Ross
Collins into custody, on informa
lion from Itellevue, where Ihe
were wanted by the authorities
nnd Marshal William Treat of
1 1 lit t illage came down on No.
111!- morning; accompanied by Kdj
llile, to take the prisoners hack
to Mellcvue, where I hey will be
arraigned, charged with creating
a disturbance at one of the stores
there, as well as making indecent
ami instilling remarks to women
who passed liy". There tire a num
ber of charges that will probably
be preferred against I hem, so thai
I hey will have sonic lime in get
ting clear.
The chief also gathered in John
Doc, a traveling gentleman, who
blew into town yesterday oh one
of Ihe freight trains and secured
a posit ion at helping unload a
carload of beer, but Ihe contact
with the beer was loo much for
him, and last evening he ac
cumulated n large load of "joy
water" and Ihe chief removed him
In I lie prison, where he will
languish until lime to receive his
reward at Ihe hands of Judge
Archer.
DECISION IN FAVDR OF THE
DEFENDANT, JOHN A. LONG
From Friday's Dally.
Yesterday Iho case of C. A.
Peterson vs. John A. Long, which
was continued from Tuesday,
came up for hearing in the court
of Justice of Iho Peace M. Archer,
and after tho jury, composed of
J. II. Thrasher, John Halt, Wil
liam Hassler and William Weber,
had heard the evidence offered by
both sides, they brought in a
verdict for the defndant. The
case was for the release of a resi
dence owned by the plaintiff and
occupied by Long, who refused to
move, until ihe lime for which he
had Ihe house rented had expired.
"My little son had a very severe
cold. I was recommended lo try
Chamberlain's Cough Remedy, and
before a small boltlo was finished
he was as well ns ever," writes
Mrs. II. Silks, 21) Howling Street.
Sydney, Australia. This remedy
is for sale by F. O. Frickc & Co.
Local New
s
From Thursday's Daily.
W. A. Fight of Mynard was in
the city last evening for a few
hours looking after some matters
of buHiiess.
Joseph Zimnierer of Avoca was
in the county seat yesterday for
short lime looking after matters
in the county court.
Miss Laura Meisinger was a
iissenger Ibis morning on No. 15
for Omaha, where she will visit
or the day with friends.
T. K. Paiinele of Louisville was
iu the city over u ig tit and was a
passenger this morning for Oma
ha on the early Burlington train.
Will Seybolt of Murray came
up last o cuing to attend the
meeting of the Masonic lodge, re
turning to his home on the late
train.
Mrs. Sarah Mason of Hedtlcld,
;. 1)., is in the city, having been
ailed here to look after the estate
of her mother, Mrs. lVlilah
Schwab.
. W. MeUinger of Mynard
came up tlits morning' from his
lome and spent a few hours here
ooking after some mailers of
madness.
(leorge A. KaiTenbe rger came in
Ibis afternoon front his home,
west of the city, and attended to
some . trading wilh Ihe different
merchant.
Dr. Charles Kennedy of Omaha,
who has been making a short visit
here with his mother, Mrs. K. V.
Kennedy, returned to his home in
Omaha this afternoon.
C. F. Harris came up this morn
ing 1 nun Ins home near Union to
visit for a few hour with his
friends, as well as attend to some
business affairs.
Jesse lliuor departed this
morning on the early Hurlmglnn
rain for Wallhill, Nebraska,
where be will visit his son for a
short lime.
Mrs. (ieorge Shomiann and Mrs.
Mori Crisman were passengers
this morning f.ir Cedar Creek,
where they will make a short visit
with relatives and friends.
John A. (iauer, one of the genial
farmers of F.ighl Mile (irove pre
cincl, was in Ihe city today for a
few hours looking after business
mailers at the court house.
Mrs. Hester MeDaniel of Sidney,
Iowa, who has been visiting for
a few days at Ihe William and J.
E. Tuey homes, relurned lo her
homo Una afternoon ou No. 2
Mrs. J. V. Edwards and little
son of Olenwood, who have been
here visiting at Ihe home of Mrs
Kdwards' parents, Dan Hire and
wife, returned to their home this
afternoon.
Charles Chriswisser of Nchawka
came up this morning ami was a
passenger on the early Murlington
train for Omaha, where he look
ed after some business matters on
the stock market,
Isaac King and wife of Superior,
Neb., came in last, evening on No.
nnd will visit for a short lime
with relatives. Mrs. King has
been (iii(c sick, but is feeling
slightly improveJ.
John (.Iauer of the vicinity of
Cedar Creek was nil ending lo
business matters in this city to
day and called at this olllce for
(lie purpose of having his sub
scription extended for another
year.
Mrs. Louis Schulz and son,
Charles Allison Schulz, who have
been lu-re visiting at Ihe home of
Joseph lladraba ami family, de
pa'rled this afternoon for their
home at Mridgcport, Neb.
Waller Speck was a passenger
this afternoon for Omaha to at
tend to business matters, prior to
his return to his work at Han
nibal, Missouri, where he is em
ployed by the Katy railroad as a
switchman.
Mrs. Mary Tisdale and son,
Charles Henry, ami daughter, Miss
Mary Veil, of Slalon, Minnesota,
arrived this morning on No. i and
will make a shorl visit here with
Mrs. M. A. Street and family. They
will leave tomorrow for St. Jos
eph, Missouri.
O. K. Holcomb, wife and chil
dren of Orant, Iowa, who were
visiting in Omaha for a few days,
slopped off here yesterday and
spent the day with friends, re
turning lo their homo on No.. 2.
Mr. Holcomb was formerly em
ployed in ihe Trilely barber shop
in Ibis eily.
From Friday's Dally.
It. R. Nickels of near Murray
was in Ihe city over night, being
a guest at Iho Perkins houso.
Oeorgo W. Snyder drovo in yes
terday Troiii his farm in Ihe pre
cinct lo altend lo some trading.
Ed IliinimeH drove up yesterday
from his home near Mynard lo at
tend to some trading with the
merchants.
Ed Trilsch was in the city yes
lerday from his farm, west of this
eily, looking after some matters
of business.
, E. T. Younkcr of Olenwood was
in tne city yesterday lor a few
hours looking after business mat
ters.
C. L. Merger departed this
morning for Union, where he will
look after the interests of his line
of superior bread.
Peter Halmes was in tho city
this afternoon from his homo at
tending to some business matters
with Ihe merchants.
Mrs. J. W. Chidesler of La
Pla'le f ame down this morning to
at lend to some shopping, return-
ing home on the afternoon Bur
lington train.
Mrs. C. J. Sarville of Grant City,
Missouri, who has been here for
a few days visiting at tho H. II.
Pulton home, departed last even
ing for her home.
Mrs. S. Fricden and little child,
of Sioux City, who have been here
isiling with H. M. Shlaes and
wife for a few days, departed this
afternoon for their home.
James Doig and wife of Fair
bury, Neb., camo in this after
noon and will visit for a short
lime at the homo of Mrs. Doig's
mother, Mrs. Peter Mumm.
A. L. Todd came in this morn
ing from his home, west of this
city, and was a passenger on tho
early Murlington train for Oma
ha, where he was called on somo
business matters.
Dr. J. F. Mrendel of Murray
came up Ibis morning from his
home and was a passenger on the
early Murlington train for Omaha,
where he was called on profes
sional business.
11. E. Young, who has been
visiting relatives here for some
time, was a passenger this morn
ing for Omaha, from where ho
will leave lor wayne county, Ne
braska, for a short visit.
M. Fanger and wife and Mr.
aud Mrs. A. Mandel of Sioux City,
Iowa, who were guests here for a
few days of V. Zucker mid wife,
relurned lo their homes last
veiling on Ihe Missouri Pacific.
Mrs. Percy Fields and little
daughter departed this morning
for O'Neill, Neb., where Ihey will
join Mr. rieltis, who is now cm
ployed by the Muilinglon, and will
make their home in that city.
Mrs. Hoy Dodge, nccompanied
by Mr. Elmer McManus and
daughter, Dixie, of Omaha, ar
rived Ibis morning and will make
a short visit here with tho par
ents of Mrs. Dodge, Mr. nnd Mrs.
P. E. Ruffner. j
Miss Dovio narkhurst came up
from Unio'n last evening and .will
remain for a few days, in order
I hat she may be near and in care
of her physician. Miss Harkhurst
is feeling some belter, but not as
well us she would like to,
Miss Delia Johnson, who has
been visiting at the Pen' Marsh
home, south of this city, for the
past I wo weeks, departed this
morning for her home. Mrs.
Marsh and two children accom
panied her for a short visit.
J. A. King and son, Clarence, of
South Uend, were attending; to
some business mailers in this
city today, and while here were
pleasant callers at this office and
Mi. King had his subscription ex
tended for anther year.
MUSICAL ELEPHANT .
A GREAT FEATURE WITH
YANKEE ROBINSON
Yankee Robinson's Musical ele
phants, which have been playing
the big vaudeville houses during
Ihe past, winter, are making a
tremendous hit. The elephants
are of more than ordinary size, in
fact, Hie largest performing ele
phants iu the country, and Ihey
go through their daily routine
amazingly. !
In addition to the herd which
Iho circus carries, it has on ex
hibition Ihe greatest beast that
ever walked the facetif the earth
Kongo, a might elephant from
India imported lo this country
for a lour of the circus this sea
son. See the.ni at Plattsmouth
Monday, May 5.
Pains in the Stomach.
If you coiulnuailv complain of
pains in the stomach, your liver
or your kidneys aro out of order.
Neglect may lead to dropsy, kidney
trouble, diabetes or Bright's dis
ease. Thousands recommend
Electric Hitters as the very best
stomach and kidney medicine
made. II. T. Alston, of Raleigh,
N. C, who suffered with pain in
tho stomach and back, -writes:
"My kidneys were deranged and
my liver did not work right. . I
suffered much, but Electric Bit
ters .whs recommended and I im
proved from the llrst dose. I now
feel like a new man.' It will im
prove you, too. Only 50c and
$1.00. Recommended by F. O.
Frickc & Co.