Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-10-14

Sne ASKED me my name | cptlUil I tell her.
No, sir; l couldn't, and she thought she'd
got a %lunatie, l guess, because She slam
med the door in my face, and I couldn't
think what my name was till | got round
the corner. But about the book. OF course
tho thing has just been mislaid, and I'll
make Barrie smart for this. Why, darn
it all, I was reading the book myself that
afternoon, and | went home with Barbara
III call her that this time without the
miss-and she didn't have it. Put it back?
Why, certainly, | always do, OF course,
fiddle headed fool! I'll cane him."
John went straight to his aunt's, de-
terlnined not to tell her of tho futile in
teryiew with Barrie and it's ending. But
Cupid ruled otherwise. He found Marion
Barrie in the house, and, realizing how
hopeless his love must be now, was hardly
civil to her. His aunt noticed it and said
"Why, John, Marion has been my only
comfort, except you always, since this
happened, and you act as il you were an
cry with her. Oh, what are they going to
do with me, John2 What did Mr.. Barrie
say?'
And John could keep in no longer. Ii
all came In o rush Of passionate words,
restrained only by Marion's presence.
As she listened the color left her face anu
a great tear filled each eye. She loved her
father, but now she realized that she loved
John Spraguc more, and as she realized it
her eyes told the story. Barbara had stol
en- from the room, and they We're alone.
John finished with And that's why l
have little to say to you, Miss Barrie"
"tMiss Barrie!' All, u, J0kn, not
that. r. and she blushed and hesitated.
II don't agree with my father, John"
Ten minutes later they sought Barbara
Myles to assure her that neither agreed
with father"
"Now, John, y said Marion, 81 believe
that you and ] must fathom this. OF
course the most natural theory is that
some enemy Of Miss Myles has put this
book here in this house. But there are
two facts against that. No n has been
in the house but old job Doyle. and Miss
Myles hasn't any enemies. But there was
the book!'
Where was it found?' asked John.
SIN the box under the seat here by the
fireplace" answered Barbara. GLOW
could it have come there unless after a
left here the morning | found it was gone
some n had come hero and placed it in
the settler"
"Were there any signs of any ones conf
Ing in, Aunt Barbara? Tell us the whole
story again from the last time you saw the
book" said John.
"When / anne home to lunch, the book
was there in its accustomed place. That
was tho last l saw Of it. Oh, no, Job
Doyle had it that afternoon"
tVes ho fold mo en- when I met him
Did he put it back?'"
"why, John, you don't think OF
counse he put it back"
"Did you see it after you saw it in his
hands? Think hard, now.
The poor little woman blushed and
looked uncomfortable and finally said:
"No. Mr.. Doyle was waiting outside for
me, and it was storming fercely. SO l
just put out the remaining lights, and l
do believe / did not look to see if the Wal
ton were safe"
eyes, yes, " said John. why, we walk.
ed home together, " she said shyly, land I
asked Job in to have q cup of tea, and he
took off his coat and put it,
"Where9" demanded John.
."Why--why, in tho settle-why-John,
you don't think Why, where are you 60
ing, Johns"
John rushed out of the house. saving
something as he went about shat absent,
minded char will forget where he lives
next"
He went to Job Doyle's house. and the
maid told him she expected her master
back at any moment, so he concluded to
wait. Soon in came Job. wearing a far.
away look. and greeted John with a very
| formal: "How do yo,, do. sirS What can
T do for youf"
ssTell us what YOU stole the Walton for"
said John.
.sGod bless nv SOUL" CALCULATED Job,
what do YOU mean. sir?'
"Nothing but what | said" said John,
! laughing In spite of himself. CHOW. see
here, MIR. DOYLE. You told me you were
reading the book that afternoon. Did you
put it back? Now, for Barb.ra's sake,
Doyle, do try and recollect."
siNo. have no recollection of replac-
ing it,"
CHOW, as a matter Of fact, isn't this
what happenedY You read the Walton all
the afternoon. and when & O'Clock struck
and Aunt Barbara began to put the i,vLts
"And, like a fuddle headed foo, that |
ain, slipped the book into my pocket"
INC