The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-03-25

these fellows may be, that girl may re
willing part partner in it.
II don't think so.' groaned Wilbur.
"Oh, really don't think so, Steve. She
looks so innocent and good"
Looks innocent ard good-yes,'' de-
clared his friend witha. cynical laugh.
las I remarked when you first showed
me the Photograph, she's got the best
face I've ever seen. She doesn't look
as if she could be capable of deceit o.
guile. But you can't always tell. Faces
are somewhat deceptive - especially
women's faces. That's why there, Al
ways danger in allowing yourself to fall
! in love at first sight.
This girl with all her look of limo
cence and purity may be as cunning
| and INSCRIPTIONS as she is beautiful
You must admit that you have already
discovered that she tells lies
Tells lies. What do you mean?'
gasped wilbur.
Wen, hasn't she denied that she
posed for that photograph? If you are
! sure that she is the original OF the pic
| ture. it is self-evident that she mus,
have lied to you when she denied it.
No." replied the other. with en-
phasis. I am confident that she did
not lie-not Intentionally at least 1
think L can see how tlat can be ex-
planned
You mean, 1 suppose, that she may
have a twin sister and the picture may
be portrait of the twin and not of
herself, eh?' inquired Clayton
mo 1 thought of that. of course
1t seemed to be the only logical ex-
PLANTATION; but 1 asked the girl. and she
told me that not only has she no twin
sister. but she hasn't any sister at all.
She was positive also hat there is
| nobody in her family who resembles
her very closely. Oh, the picture was
her own without question. Steve"
How, then, do you account for the
startling discrepancy between her state
ment and the fact that you had her
photograph in your possession, my in
credulous and infatuated friend?" de.
manded Clayton with laugh
In this way. She my have spoken
the truth when she said that she has
not posed before a camera for the past
ten years. That PHOTOGRAPH may have
been taken without hey knowledge
! Scala. the photographer, for reasons OF
/ his own. may have snapped Ter picture
/ by stealth"
Clayton shook his head.
That's an interesting theory" he re-
| piled. putting slowly at his pipe. but
unfortunately it won't hold water, my
dear boy. That picture was deIiber-
| ately posed for. The fair original faced
the camera willingly and unhinching-
| ly."
How do you know?' gasped the
other, anxiously.
! Anybody who knows anything at all
about photography can tell the differ
ence between a hasty snapshot and a
picture that is posed for" was the re-
ply. That picture you found in the
! library book couldn't possibly be mis-
| taken for d snapshot. There were Ger
tain unmistakable details about il which
! showed the careful posing of a profess
SIGNAL photographer-and a first-cIass
artist at that"
She may have been trickca into
posing without knowing that she was
in front of a camera" declared VII
bur. still loyal Perhaps she was in
duced 70 sit in a chair and look pleas
ant, while camera was concealed in
front OF her and the tense trained on
her Isn't that possible. Steve?"
Yes, 1 suppose that's possible" the
other admitted, "but not very prob-
able. Did you find out whether your
mysterious lady has visited Rome re-
cently?'
She told me that she had never
been TO ROme-neither Rome. Italy, nor
any other town named Rome in the
United States" replied Wilbur
"Ha. That looks like another lie on
the fair lady's part However, it's
quite possible, Of course. that the pic
ture may have been tsk.7 In New Yorl,
and printed and mounted in Rome by
Scala"
BY jove'' cried Wilbur. - never
thought Of that. That probably ex-
plains away that part of the mystery
Steve. I'm much obliged to you for
suggesting it
I've got another idea went on
Clayton. Our Italian friend with the
villainous countenance may be Scala,
the photographer, himself
! Good heavens What makes YOU
think that?'' exclaimed Wilbur Gag
erly.
81 don't know It's merely a suppo-
sition on my part but ] shouldn't be
surprised If I've made the right guess.
Did you describe the fellow to the girl
aca inquire whether she has ever met
him?"
Yes, I did: and she couldn't recall
having seen anybody answering his de-
scription. Say, Steve" Leslie contin-
ued, excitedly. IF that fellow really Is
Scala, the photographer, there's good
reason 70 suppose that the girl was tell
ing me the truth wnen she denied DOS
ing for that picture. The Italian looks
cunning enough TO be able 20 take her
picture Unawares and yet get finished
result like that"
The other nodded affirmativeIy and
for sorle minutes afterward neither
spoke The two men sat putting their
pipes engrossed in thought.
Suddenly Clayton smote his thigh and
jumped TO his feet.
| Il have it." ne cried excitediy.
Have what?'' inquired his surprised
/ friend.
II think / know now how thas photo
SPRING RESORTS.