The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1912-11-29

shotgun l had heard, fired by some
sportsman, off on the shore, there, to
my right. And so resumed my tramp,
with ears keen for a repetition. AL
most Immediately was rewarded, and
then l knew that 1t was no rail bird
gunner, for the shot was Enthusiastically
a rife shot, and 1t was fired in the
depth Of the wood, to the left Of me
Three times more heard 1t, in fair
ly rapid succession, and sounding al
ways from about the same direction.
cannot say that 1t gave me any I'M
easiness, but 1t perplexed me in mild
way, arousing a passing curiosity as
to its object. And then, / came out
upon the well-kept, gravelled drive
which circles the close cropped, vel
vety Cameron. lawn, and catching
sight of Cameron himself, in riding
breaches and puttees, romping with
one of his picturesquely graceful Rus
sian wolf-hounds, promptly forgot all
about 1t.
He came across the sward to meet
me, the great, gaunt white hound
pressing close to his side, and /
thought l saw that he, too, had ex-
perienced the inspiriting influence Of
the morning
II have found an answer" cried,
while he was still fifty yards away,
possibly the answer"
He raised his brows in question, and
the hound, with open Jaws, fondled his
wrist.
Il had a horseback ride before
breakfast" he told me, as he shook
my hand. "Then l spent an hour at
the kennels. We've a fine new brood
Of collie puppies. You must see them"
81 want to-" l returned.
What do you say to tennis?" he
suggested, irrelevantly. Just a set.
It's fine morning for tennis"
IF you can lend me a pair of Shoes"
l consented, glazing down at my boots.
"A dozen pairs" he smiled. Come
up to my dressing room. Louis will fit
you out"
was scarcely prepared for this
change in my friends mood, and far
from happy over it. He was evidently
determined to ignore the subject that
had so engrossed us the night before,
hoping to find surcease Of harassing
thought in restless round of activi-
ties. The condition was a morbid one
which l believed should be discour-
aged; the more so as possessed what
l fancied was a perfectly practical So
luton of that which hitherto had
seemed to us an inexplicable phe-
nomenon. And was little annoyed,
too, that my good tidings should be
thus disregarded.
When, therefore, we had entered
the hall and Cameron was leading to-
wards the broad, ascending staircase,
l paused
do you mind giving me just a
minute?"
He stopped, turned, and stood in
questioning silence.
"A minute in your study" l added,
in explanation.
Reluctantly, 1t seemed to me, he
crossed to the study door, and throw.
ing it open, stood aside that might
precede him.
The room appeared far less grim
and gloomy than when l had last en-
tered it. It's windows faced the
south; and between the olive-green
tapestry curtains the sun poured in a
food, lighting up the far corners, CLINT
ing on the gilt ornaments Of the writ
ing table, and bathing in dazzling
splendor the FURNISHED bronzes on the
crowded top of the book-shelves.
81 see you are not disposed to re-
sumo our discussion Of last night"
began, when Cameron, having closed
the door behind him, halted just in
side, and with hands in pockets, await
ed my opening. But l want to show
you that we have been in very much
the same position as the wondering
children who watch the prestidigita-
teur. We have imagined something
amazingly like a miracle, which, in
point of fact, is capable of very sim
pie, commonplace explanation"
"You mean the cutting out Of the
head of the portrait?" he asked. with
kindling interest.
81 do"
"You have discovered how 1t was
done, beforA my eyes, so to speak.
and YETI"
81 have discovered how it may have
been DONE" l interrupted.
He moved his head just perceptibly
from side to side in skeptical gesture,
"The door of this room is seldom
locked?" l queried, ignoring the indi-
Gated skepticism.
Never locked" he answered
1T would be quite possible for any
one, knowing that you were absent,
to spend an hour or 80 here, uninter,
rupted?"