The daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1904-1905, 1904-04-06

\ The Girl of the |
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ished me by withdrawing the light of
| her countenance, and | was left to
stare at a biscuit and ask it how the
girl had come to know that song.
Afterward | wandered up to the
north tree and was surprised to find
Miss Jones there alone. 1t appeared
that Trask had gone back to the house
for some sort of sketching materials.
l made myself comfortable upon the
ground and endeavored to open con-
versation. but it was even harder than
usual for me to talk with her that
morning
There must be a certain kind of hon
esty concealed in me somewhere, be-
cause find it unpleasant to talk with
person when l am obliged to conceal
the principal subject of my interest.
Really, I wished to ask Miss Jones
lot of personal questions example,
Who are YOU? Is your name really
Jones? If you are Sibyl, why did you
select such a name as Jones for pur-
poses of disguise? Was it very clever
thing to do. being the very last that
should have expected of you? Can you
sing?
It seemed as if / might put the last
query in such form as to gain informa-
tion from the answer, though If this
young lady were the singer of the
shore l could not expect her to con-
slider herself under any moral obllga-
ton to tell the truth to me. While
was turning the matter over in my
mind l suddenly became aware that
was whistling softly. 1t is bad habit
Of mine, somewhat less reprehensible
on this occasion because my compan-
ion seemed in no mood for conversa-
ton and thus left me to my own de-
vices. But the essential point is that |
found myself whistling the little Swiss
song, and in an instant there leaped
into my field of consciousness a perfect
recollection of having done precisely
the same thing before when Miss Jones
and l had fallen into one of those deep
silences in which she seemed to find a
melancholy pleasure.
The miracle of the lake stood explain
ed, and by the knowledge of that fact
l was so startled that | got upon my
feet. Miss Jones raised her eyes to
me with a question.
MIR. Trask is coming" said l, MOTTO
ing that fact for the first time Il
thought heard footsteps
The man was walking on turf at a
distance of 100 yards, but Miss Jones
did not consider it necessary to cross
examine me on the subject of my audi
tory apparatus.
When Trask came, up, l talked with
him few minutes and then walked
back to the house. In my room | sat
down by the window to think the thing
out, and l was making some small prog
ress when l became aware of a gentle
humming sound which resolved itself
into a scarcely audible, grossly inaccu-
rate yet recognizable performance of
that fated song 1t was Jimmy La
moline who was guilty of this dire atroc-
ity. He was standing on the strip of
grass between the window and the
driveway, and his attitude and express
sion We're studiously designed to give
the impression that his music was
purely involuntary, a mere bodily act
uncontrolled by any purpose.
But Jimmy was a marked card to
me. l knew his back as well as his
face. This is figure of speech.
really refer to the back of his mind.
for in his habit of seeming to give his
attention elsewhere, to be looking
away, so to speak, there lay the com
plete explanation of his manner of
mystery. 1t is the same with all
tricksters.
Jimmy" said 1, where did you get
that tuner"
''Tune?" he echoed. "Was 1 sing
ing?'
This sort of question requires no
answer. Silence saves time.
ct seems to me-" said Jimmy slowly,
"that l heard a hand organ playing it
in st. Jo.''
'You f1atter me-" l replied. and,
though he did not fully understand, he
went through all the motions appro-
pirate to complete comprehension.
This was all the business that Jimmy
had in hand, and he Immediately with
drew. He had performed his mystery,
and it was sufficient.
Ito be continued.)