Farmers' champion. (Elgin, Okla.) 1912-1922, 1912-11-28
HOOD suddenly heen in ne,

W0fm Vlooo o~''
cheeks.
"You truant!" ! cried. in jocular rep
rimapd. Are you always going 10 run
away when I visit Cragholt!'
she pouted prettily. detest WON
an who pouts. ordinarily. There Is
usually such palpable affectation ABOUT
II. But Evelyn's pouting was winsome
as an infants. Besides 1t was only
momcntary. Then her eyes flashed ana
her foot was planted very hard. for
such a tiny thing. on the green grass
blades.
I'm not q truant." she declared.
with feigncd indignation, and never
thought OF running away. That's Just
your conceitcd manly imagination.
You fancy that everything do Gun
have but one cause, and that Ia your
solr. How, pray, was to know you
intended paying us a morning CALI"
"Tut, tut" caught her up. what
a little srltflre we have here! II you
hadn't deserted me so shamefully last
evening. | shouldn't have minded this
morning, so mach. rs 1t Is. 1t seems
aeons since saw you"
Now she smiled until her. dimples
nestled. THAT is much better" she
returned, gayly. land deserves reply.
lust as my action of last evening de-
serves praise, and not rebuke sac
rificed myself and my pleasure for one
| love"
mot for me, surely!"
did | use the word conceit mo-
ment ago? Arc you the only man !
love-"
Il hope so." answered. impudently.
There Is another" she confessed.
In mock tragedy. "Dehold his facet"
had not Noticed that she held .
little roll in her hand, for my eyes had
been ever on hers; so. when abruptly.
she spread out and held before me the
missing head from Cnmeron's portrait.
was doubly unprepared. ! know !
| was startled. She said afterwards
| that | went very white. I suppose !
| did: for with he rush OF realization
came such cl ain OF supposition as to
| drive me morientarily dizzy For q
second oE more ] stood dumb. while
my hand went out in eager reach for
the scrap OF canvas. which. had OBJ.
| served, instantancously, bore four per.
forations, all of size-the size OF a
rife bullet. With that scovery had
REQUIRED the shots ! had heard; and
! following this, came a maze OF con.
| lecture, going back to that first letter.
then to the paintings mutilation, and
on through devious ways to the morn
ing's target practice; and always with
one or another OF Camcron's trusted
| servants as the chief actor
When ! recovered my compos, re
found Evelyn backing wilfully sway
from my covctous hand
1T is the picture OF the man love-"
she was saying, teasingly. "A very.
very good man"
But where did you get IT." I aeked
seriously DO you know where II
came FROM"
Suddenly she was as grave an
could wish
y found 1t nailed to tree" she an
swered Wasn't Il odd? How do you
suppose II came there? II looks llko
the portrait that hung In Uncle
Roberts study. Do Won suppose he
grew to dislike 1t. and cut It up and
threw 1t away?"
Now found myself In some little
embarrassment. If | was to obey
Cameron's Injunction | could not 'ell
Evelyn the truth. Yet | was In no
position 10 make light OF her find. On
he other hand / must learn from her
Just where che had come upon It, and
so trace. II possible, the person who
had fired the shots which rlddled It.
MY dear girl" snld adopting "a
tone of cajolery. I'VE have here.
think. matter in which we both can
be OF service-very valuable service,
indeed. to that beloved uncle and
guardian of yours. but, you must trust
me, absolutely, and, for the present at
least you must give 10 him no hint OF
what we have in hand. Do you un.
derstapd"
She laughed In that merry ripping
fashion which ] had found not the
least Of her charms
do ! understand" she repea ed.
laying hand on my arm In emphasis
of her amused tolerance. DO I un.
derstand? or course | don't, and
shant. until you have answered at
least halfdozen why's and what's"
But you must trust me-" Insisted.
"and as primary evidence OF that trust
you will proceed at once to hand over
10 me. for examination. that somewhat
| damaged niece Of nor, roitrro uhi,h
YOU are holding behind you"