The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1912-11-29
YARN blood suddenly risen IN her

You truant!" cried, in jocular rep
rimand. Are you always going to run
away when | visit Cragholt"
She pouted prettily. detest a wom'
an who pouts, ordinarily. There 10
usually such palpable affectation about
1t. But Evelyns pouting was winsome
as an infants. Besides IL was only
momentary. Then her eyes flashed and
her foot was planted very hard, for
such a tiny thing, on the green grass
blades.
I'm not a truant," she declared,
with feigned indignation, "and l never
thought Of running away. That's just
your conceited manly imagination.
You fancy that everything l do can
have but one cause, and that is your
self. How, pray, was l to know you
intended paying us a morning CALI"
Tut, tut" caught her up. What
a little spitflre we have here! II you
hadn't deserted me 30 shamefully last
evening. l shouldn't have minded this
morning, so much. As 1t 10. 1t seems
aeons since / saw you"
Now she smiled until her dimples
nestled. That Ia much better" she
returned, gayly, "and deserves a reply,
just as my action Of last evening de-
serves praise. and not rebuke. sac
riiced myself and my pleasure for one
love-"
mot for me, surely!"
did l use the word conceit a mo
ment ago? Are you the only man
lover"
Il hope So" answered, impudently
There is another" she confessed,
in mock tragedy. Behold his facet"
l had not noticed that she held q
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 Cameron's portrait,
l was doubly unprepared. l know l
was startled. She said afterwards
that l went very white. suppose l
did; for with the rush Of realization
came such a chain Of superstition as to
drive me momentarily dizzy. For a
second or more I stood dumb, while
my hand went out in eager reach for
the scrap Of canvas, which, l had OBJ
served, simultaneously, bore four per-
forations, all Of a size-the size of a
rife bullet. With that discovery 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 Cameron's trusted
| to
When l recovered my composure
found Evelyn backing wilfully away
from my covetous hand.
ut is the picture Of the man love-"
she was saying, teasingly. "A very,
very good man."
But where did you get 2" l asked
seriously. do you know where 1t
came from?"
Suddenly she was as grave as
could wish.
81 found 1t nailed to a tree" she an
swered. Wasn't 1t odd? How do you
suppose It came there? 1t looks like
the portrait that hung in Uncle
Roberts study. Do you suppose he
grew to dislike 1t, and cut 1t up and
threw 1t away?"
Now found myself in some little
embarrassment. If was to obey
Cameron's injunction l could not tell
Evelyn the truth. Yet / was in no
position to make light of her find. On
the other hand l must learn from her
just where she had come upon 1t, and
so trace, II possible, the person who
had fired the ehots which riddled 1t.
my dear girl" l said, adopting a
tone of cajolery, I'VE have here,
think, a matter in which we both can
be of service-very valuable service,
indeed, to that beloved uncle and
guardian Of yours. But, you mus; trust
me, absolutely, and, for the present at
least, you must give to him no hint Of
what we have in hand. Do you I'M
derstand?"
She laughed In that merry ripping
fashion which l had found not the
least of her charms.
do ] understand" she repeated,
laying a hand on my arm in emphasis
of her amused tolerance. do | I'M
derstand? OF course l don't, and
shant, until you have answered at
least a half-dozen 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
to me, for examination. that somewhat
damaged piece of portraiture which
you are holding behind you"
Very wide her eyes opened in an In
nocent, almost infantile stare, as she
asked:
DO you really mean it, Phllip?"
Really" l answered. gravely. I'D