Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1903-11-07

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There 10ere dainty footprints in the dust.
amulet that was PROOF against seven
miles of dusty road
There is not the least bit of the de-
tective in me, but l am fairly good
Investigator in laboratory. My work
is always based upon the cardinal prin-
ciple that effects have causes, and that
very little will ever happen without
them. To state the matter more plain
ly, was upon this occasion moved to
assume that there was some reason
why Miss Jones had escaped the dust.
She greeted me with somewhat form
al cordiality, and yet the girl was not
in the least given to affectation. If
her manner was a trife noticeable, as
of course it shouldn't be, judged that
the cause might be sought in her scant
experience with the country, for a
drawing room manner under tree is
like q dress suit in churchill savors Of
profanity. Also, there was faint sug-
gestion that the lady had something on
her mind.
In spite of all these thoughts 1 had
room in my mind for a recognition Of
her beauty. She was certainly a per-
feet illustration of something, even
though Mr.. Scovel may have been mis-
taken in giving England the credit of
the type For my own part, being a
bit of lingo, like Lucy Ann, would
) rather think Miss Jones to be thor
oughly American. However neither
her nationality nor her good looks
: could account for the absence of dust
on her gown. or for the sprightly grace
with which she rose from her seat
when offered her my hand to alight.
l oughtnt to mention it of course,
but ones knees, even in youth. will
stiffen a bit when one rides seven
miles on straight backed seat with
not too much room in front of it,
There is no need that a fellow should
be a born detective in order that he
may note such matters.
When the lady after a few agreeable
words had gone into the house, lighted
a cigar and strolled out to the gate.
The tracks made by the wheels of Mrs.
Witherspoons wagon were plainly to
be seen in the dust of the road. | could
trace them very conveniently, even
when walking on the side path.
At point where the road was low
est about 30 yards from the edge of
the hil-a spot invisible from the With
erspoOn house, observed that the
wagon tracks exhibited break in their
steady course. A man with one eye.
'
!. read this record in the dust. The
wagon had stopped. the forward wheels
had swung round, and some one had
got in. Or out? In for a thousand dol
lars There were dainty footprints in
the dust.
| returned to the house hastily, as if
had an errand. though really l hadn't.
This discovery did not suggest any i'm
:, mediate action; on the other hand, 1t
whispered of prudence. l seemed to
nave solved my riddle, but my ultimate
!, course was as much in doubt as before.
: In the main porch found Trask
n waiting, his sketching tools by his side.
He had an air of gentle distraction. rs
II he had been trying to think of several
l. matters simultaneously. l knew that
expression, having seen it in my mirror
quite frequently of late.
he gave me good morning, and at the
VI moment Miss Jones appeared.
IT Come along with u.s." said she. "W
l. are going up to the north tree"
d Where we were before, added Trasl
l. in explanation. "All the trees hav
% names. There must be several thou
IS sand on the place, but l have yet t
X find one that hasn't been christened
Mr.. Witherspoon named them"
e. l responded that I had not had tn
n pleasure of seeing that gentleman.
v "You probably never got him in
% good light" said Trask. Otherwise b
{. is too thin to be visible. He is so thi
A. that the wind blows him around til
ID estate, and you'll always find him o
"a the leeward side. The winds north tt
o day; he'll have drifted down by til
9. lake"
AS to the invitation to accompan
- them it naturally Sc, one made
"A be declined. and l was surprised to di:
: cover that both master and pupil wer
- sincere in their wish for my societ!
. We walked up to the north tree almoS
:, IN silence, and when we had sat dow
- upon the ground in great comfort W
~ fell into a most respondent strain {
- conversation. Sad stories of til
IN death OF kings woulu nave SCENE