The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-01-08

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shin after tho loneliness Of her illness
and because she was amused by Cros-
by's absurd praise of the music.
eve were speaking Of confidence i'll
human nature said 1.
eyes," she replied, "and it seemed to
me that you were pleased to learn that
had none"
"The information gratifed my intel
lect and saddened my heart" said I.
Taken in connection with something
! that had happened Immediately be-
fore, it proved to me that had reason
ed rightly upon very complicated sub
ject. But my heart would rather you
would trust-some one"
"Do you refer to young man who
was kind enough to send me good
many pretty flowers when was ill.,
she asked.
"Please don't mention my poor little
posies." l protested. ''It was good OF
you not to have them thrown out of the
window. But to return to the subject.
I wish you would trust me enough to
| do one little thing that shall ask"
"And what may it be?"
"When we are up there listening to
the music" said earnestly, "will you
do me the honor to keep an eye upon
me, and when 1 take my gloves out of
my pocket, this way, will you get right
up and go to your room?'
"a secret signal! How romantic"
she cried. "Of course l don't under
stand in the least. but 1 will do it be-
cause you ask me to-
"Splendid:" said I. You take great
weight off my mind. Now let's go up
stairs. Our great pianist is beginning
to play. 1 see you have the key Of your
room in your hand. That's right. Please
keep it there. By the way. people are
quite careful about their doors in this
house. Have you noticed that Signor
Taglia locks his behind him when he
goes into his room?"
"No." she answered. Does hep
always" l replied, "and that isn't
all. When be and his piano arrived
Monday afternoon. the first thing the
signor did was to drive big screw into
the door between his room and mine.
The screw missed the casing and so did
not hold. but the door was locked, and
! the key was in the landlady's pocket.
After the signor's experiment with the
screw tried key or two upon the
lock just to satisfy myself. and by pure
accident left the door unfastened.
We had paused at the foot Of the
stairs.
We'll" she asked. what happened
afterward?"
l had not intended to tell her any
more at that time. but her question de-
manded some sort of reply. and so
stumbled along with my story.
That evening after dinner" said l.
when you were in the ball and the
sweet strains Of Chopin's nocturnes
were being banged oct Of the signor's
piano was industrousiy putting on
dress suit in my own little cage. 1t
happened that l leaned against that
door. and it opened. couldn't help
seeing into his room. He wasn't there
"But thought you said'-
'That the piano was performing? So
it was. but without human assistance.
My first impression was somewhat I'M
canny, and then l remembered that
there are electric attachments by
which pianos can be played. As yon
remarked a few minutes ago. the 81
gnors Interpretation of the great works.
of the masters IS somewhat mechan-
ical."
What is his object in this ridiculous
fraud?" she demanded. Where was
he when you looked into his room?'
softly" ! whispered. and drew
her into the parlor He was just COM
ing ont OF that big closet between your
roon and his Singu!ariy enough. he
was coming out backward and did not
perceive me- gently closed the door
ard locked it. and he was none the
wiser
lie could get into my room thai
way" she said. The closet was orig
naily passage. and there are doors
on both sides
Precisely" responded. and that
is why asked you whether you trusted
any one | did not like to ask you out
right if YOU had something concealed
in . .ur room.
She paled suddenly. and then the col
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