News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1904-03-16

Tor whoever they may have BEEN wer'
not in evidence. Somehow l fell int
conversation with her, the only time
ever knew such a thing to happier
within the borders of the estate.
think we talked of the quality of the
Strawberries, or of books perhaps.
really can't remember anything abou
it, except wondering how | could be sc
stupid in the presence of such pretty
girl. Presently she very properly pun
ished me by withdrawing the light OF
her countenance, and l was left tC
stare at a biscuit and ask it how the
| girl had come to know that song.
Afterward I wandered up to the
north tree and was surprised to find
| Miss Jones there alone. 1t appeared
that TraslI had gone back to the house
for some sort of sketching materials.
| 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
J morning.
There must be q certain kind of hon
cause | find it unpleasant to talk with a
| person when | am obliged to conceal
| the principal subject of my interest.
| Really, l wished to ask Miss Jones a
lot of personal queStions-for example,
Who are you? Is your name really
I Jones? If you are Sibyl why did you
select such n name as Jones for pur-
= .1a on
thing to do, being the very last that
should have expected of you? Can you
sing?
1t seemed Gs if / might put the last
query in such form as to gain informa-
ton from the answer, though if this
young lady were the singer of the
shore | could not expect her to con-
slider herself under any moral Obliga-
ton to tell the truth to me. While |
was turning the matter over in my
mind l suddenly became aware that l
was whistling softly. 1t is bad habit
of mine, somewhat less reprehensible
on this occasion because my cOmpan-
ION seemed in no mood for converse
ton and thus left me to my own de-
vices. But the essential point is that |
found myself whistlng the little Swiss
sUDg, and in an instant there leaped
into my field of consciousness perfect
recollection of having done precisely
the same thing before when Miss Jones
and had fallen into one of those deep
silences in which she seemed to find
melancholy pleasure.
The miracle of the lake stood explain
ed, and by the knowledge of that fact
/ was so startled that l got upon my
feet. Miss Jones raised her eyes to
ME with question.
''AIr. Trask is coming" said l, MOTTO
ing that fact for the first time. 81
thought l 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, | talked with
him q few minutes and then walked
back to the house. In my room | sat,
down by the window to think the thing
out, and was making some small prog
reSs when ! became aware Of a gentle
huInming sound which resolved itself
into a scarcely audible, grossly inaccu-
rate yet recognizable performance of
tat 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 were studiously designed to give
the impression that his music was
purely involuntary, a mere bodily act
uncontrolled by any purpose.
But Jimmy was marked card to
me. l knew his back as well as his
face. This is a 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 l, "wbere did you get |
that tune?"
"Tune:" he echoed. "Was I sing
ing?"
This sort of question requires no |
answer. Silence saves time.
at seems to me-" said Jimmy slowly, |
chat l heard a hand organ playing it |
in st. Jo.
You fattCr 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.
sat down to write a letter to my |
father, but had made 10 more than
fair beginning by lunchtime. Mrs.
Witherspoon's provender and a good
cigar afterward, seemed to make the
matter easier, and l was able to ex-
press part of what was on my mind.
| told him how | had discovered SibyPs
secret and added that it was now OBJ
viOus to me that it had been meant
that l should know the truth. Sibyl
had shown amazing tact in this affair,
for nothing could have been better
than that | should meet her in the
midst Of this pretty mystery and learn
without embarrassment upon either