The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1904-01-28

There auere dainty footprints IN the dust
other matters was just entering the
grounds. Jimmy Lamoine was the
coachman, and Miss Jones was his pas
senger
AS the carriage drew up before the
door I observed that Jimmy looked
hot and dusty, and that Miss Jones was
cool and fresh as a flower in a shady
garden. 1t was characteristic Of the
young lady to look always as if she
had just donned new gown with the
assistance Of a. dressmaker, a milliner
and maid, and yet I could hardly
believe that nature had given her an
amulet that was proof against seven
miles of dusty road.
There is not the least bit of the de-
tective in me, but am fairly good
investigator in laboratory. My work
is always based upon the cardinal prin-
c1ple that effects have causes, and that
very little will ever happen without
them. TO state the matter more plain
~, 1 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 trifle noticeable, as
of course it shouldn't be, 1 judged that
the cause might be sought in her scant
experience with the country, for a
drawing room manner under a tree is
like dress suit in churchill savors of
profanity. Also, there was a faint sug-
gestion that the lady had something on
her mind
In spite of all these thoughts I had
room in my mind for a recognition of
her beauty. She was certainly q 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 a 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 I offered her my hand to alight.
1 oughtn't to mention it of course.
but ones knees, even in youth will
stiffen 4 bit when one rides seven
miles en- straight backed seat with
not too much room in front of it..
There is no need that fellow should
be born detective in order that he
may note such matters.
When the lady after a few agreeable
words had gone into the house, lighted
cigar and strolled out to the gate.
The tracks made by the wheels Of Mrs.
W1therspoon's wagon were plainly to
be seen in the dust of the road. I could
trace them very conveniently, even
when walking on the side path.
At point where the road was low
est, about SO yards from the edge of
the hill-a spot invisible from the With
erspoon house, observed that the
wagon tracks exhibited break in their
steady course. A man with one eye,
and that not of the best, could have
read this record in the dust. The
wagon had stopped, the forward wheels
>A~~~ S"uA AOuAu, duu SOluC Que QdO
got in. Or out? In for thousand dol
lars. There were dainty footprints in
the dust.
returned to the house hastily, as If l
had an errand, though really I hadn't.
This discovery did not suggest any i'm
mediate action; on the other hand, it
whispered of prudence 1 seemed to
have solved my riddle, but my ultimate
course was as much in doubt as before.
In the main porch I found Trask
waiting, his sketching tools by his side.
He had an air Of gentle distraction, as
II he had been trying to think Of several
matters simultaneously. I knew that
expression, having seen it in my mirror
quite frequently of late.
He gave me good morning, and at the
moment Miss Jones appeared.