The Washington times., 1909-03-21
A DAUGHTER OF MYSTERY

it isn't the first time such thing has
happened"
But you don't understand That
isn't the wonderful part of it, protest
ed Leslie, excitedly. Listen, Steve,
While ] tell you exactly what happe led
at the library
Il requested the librarian TO give
me Dickens David Copperheld. That
was the book 1 wanted most Of all.
The librarian investigated and told me
that the volume was not in.
Il thought again, ana this time my
choice was SCOTS Ivdnhoe. 1 am
ashamed TO say that L have never read
1t. Well, the fellow went TO the book
| shelves again, and once more returned
to say that the book was out
Then ! asked for Hugo's Les Miser-
ables-' That also was IN the hands of
another subscriber. The librarian re-
marked that it was really strange that
| none of those standard works should be
in.
4 considered once more, and this
| time something prompted me TO ask
Tor The Adventures of Sherlock
Holmes That book was in. l brought
| it home with me, and found that PIG
ture inside"
fNNaAs NfAelA > hAAAuCI IA ELLtDLA elA
| this"' Clayton wanted 10 know dlsap-
pointedly- You're not by any means the
| first subscriber to a public library who
has had to make three different selec-
tons before finding a book that was in
"Of course I'm not. That isn't the
| wonderful part of H. Let me finish
Steve, here's where the odd part comes
| in had read Sherlock Holmes five or
times J L 4T
most know the book by heart And be-
| sidse, own a copy of it myself There
! 1t is over there in the bookcase. Now
what on earth possessed me to Dor
row another copy of the work from
the library-can you tell me that?"
4 don't know SOftening Of the
| brain, perhaps. There's no accounting
for the acts Of some people" replied
! Clayton, disgustedIy.
| steve, il WIS fate; nothing but fate"
! declared Leslie earnestly. ''The impulse
/ which prompted me to ask for that book
| was caused by some occult influence
1 feel sure Of il. It was the same mys-
terlous influence which caused me to
| ask for those other books which were
not in.
| Fate intended that / should find that
| picture in the book. and she guided my
| steps accordingly. The hand Of destiny
is plainly to be seen in this"
| The hand Of my maternal grand
| mother" explained Clayton. My poor
! friend. If you keep on in this manner
you'll soon be wrapping a bath towel
| around your head and giving spirituaIis-
| tic seances."
| NO, wont. I'm perfectly rational
! old man. really / am: but 1 feel posi-
| T 20
| glorious girl n the flesh, and ] shan't
| be satisfied until 7 do"
! well. don't see why you shouldn't
have that wish gratifed' declared
Clayton. 1T ought 10 be a compare
| lively easy matter TO find the girl
| with the clues already in our possession
+ shall be glad to help you. old man.
We must inquire. first of all. at the
| library and ascertain who had this book
last. That inquiry may bring US at
once to the girl herself, without any
further steps. II not. IL will at least
put Us on the right track. BY the way,
if you have no objection, Ia like to see
that picture
| Leslie went to a drawer and took out
a carte-de-vista photograph which he
handed TO his friend.
1t was the picture of girl apparently
not more than twenty years old She
was brunette Her eyes were big and
her mouth small and deIicateIy chiseled
Each and every one Of her features,
in fact, was absolutely perfect. The face
was surmounted by a wealth of dark
hair. most becOmingIy arranged
The girls lips were slightly paretd-
which seemed TO grow as one Eazed at
the picture.
1t was an effect quite common in
photography and in art, and this 1t
was DOUBTLESS which had caused the
infatuated Leslie 10 imagine that he
had seen the lips move
Only the head and shoulders OF the