The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-12-07


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. II l was to obey
Cameron's injunction / could not tell
Evelyn the truth. Yet l was In no
position to make light Of her find. On
the other hand must learn from her
just where she had come upon 1t, and
so trace, II possible, the person who
mad fred the shots which riddled It.
My dear GIRL" I said, adopting a
tone or cajolery, I'VE have here, ]
think, matter In which we both can
De 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 to him no hint OF
what we have in hand. Do you un
derstand?"
She laughed in that merry rippline
fashion which had found not the
least OF her charms.
DO 1 understands" she repeated
laying hand on my arm In emphasis
OF her amused tolerance. DO / un.
oerstand! Of 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 10 hand over
TO me, for examination, that somewhat
damaged piece of portraiture which
you are holding behind you"
Very wide her eye. opened in an In
nocent almost infinite stare, as she
asked:
DO you really mean it, Philipr
Really" / answered, gravely. IT'D
like to tell you all about it, right here
and now, but that might spoil every.
thing, 30 you must show what strong
womanly woman you are, by keeping
silence and waiting"
In token Of compliance she gave
me the oval piece Of canvas.
Il wonder who punched the holes
In It'll" she remarked. ruefully. who
ever 1t was, they were shockingly dis.
respectful"
tried to fancy what she would
have said had she known they were
bullet holes. Evidently that possibil.
ity had not occurred to her and I was
glad that 1t had not.
There are two ways Of looking at
IT," l replied, my eyes fixed on the
canvas and its perforations. "At first
glance it does seem spiteful; but then
there Is chance that It is not icono-
clasm. after all. It may be, you know,
just the reverse. l have not infre.
quently seen portraits that were SO
unjust to the originals that they fair
ly cried out for destruction"
But this is not one like that" she
retorted. This seems to me a very
good portrait. am sure Uncle Rob-
ert must have looked exactly like it,
ten years ago"
Alas, We do not all see with the
same eyes," I assured her, smiling.
Tho destroyer may have looked on It
as a caricattre, not having your cul-
tured taste In art" l held it off at
arms length, and after regarding H.
critically for moment between half
closed lids, continued, do you think
you could point out the identical tree
to which 1t was nailed?"
Il could try" was her answer.
"Is it far?"
mot very. A mile. from here, pos
sibly. Over the ridge"
Near anything IN Particular"
Near the trail which leads up from
the trout stream to the entrance drive
not far from the Lodge"
When will you take me there's"
asked.
For just an instant she hesitated
I'VE might go now," she replied, III
1t weren't that l am expecting Celia
Ainslee for luncheon. Suppose We say
five o'clock. You can meet me at the
Lodge. It's a short walk from there"
"Fine!" I approved. thrusting the
portrait head beneath my arm and
taking possession Of both her white
gloved hands. Slender and shapely
hands, yet wonderfully capable.
"Good-by!" she cried, laughing.
Take care Of my uncle!" with a
glance towards her punctured find.
"Good-by!" ! returned, releasing
her. Your uncle shall have my most
faithful concern"
The real significance Of the words
she, Of course. did not comprehend.
But as / stood watching her until
turn In the path enfolded her from
my sight, their echo, ringing In my
ears, impressed me with their preg-
nancy. Her uncle was evidently the
focal point Of crafty and vengeful
conspiracy, the seriousness Of which
l had been foolishly endeavoring to
minimize; and as such he was in
need. not only Of my concern, but Of
all the loyal, energetic and Efficient