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


two houses. In the wood, however,
the air was gratefully cool, and I
strode on at good pace, breathing
deeply and with enjoyment the bosky
odors which greeted me afresh at
every step.
The dead silence which I had re-
marked earlier was broken now by the
hoarse footing Of steamboat whistle,
som ewhere off shore, and by the shrill
voices Of birds, apparently in resent
full protest at this raucous invasion Of
their sylvan quiet.
I had succeeded in putting aside. for
the moment at least, all thought Of
Cameron, his anonymous letters, and
his mutilated portrait, and was dwell.
ling on my disappointment at not hay-
Ing caught even SO much as glimpse
OF Evelyn Grayson during my morn
Ing visit to Cragholt. 1t Is true that I
had gone there with single purpose
In mind-to convey to Cameron what
l believed to be an impOrtsrit theory
but underlying this, realized now,
was more than q hope, a confidence
even, that should see Evelyn. / was
tempted, indeed, to a regret that had
not waited, visited the kennels, and
accepted Cameron's invitation for
luncheon, which would doubtless have
insured NE a few words at least with
my Goddess Of Youth.
While on the verge OF this self.re-
proach my spirits suddenly lifted, for
the steam whistle having died away
In the distance and the feathered
choirete have relapsed into a
pleased ~nirp that merely accented
the stiffness, there broke all at once
on the mute calm Of the woodland the
silver sweetness Of girls singing.
Clear and resonant It rang through the
forest aisles; voice knew beyond
mistaking. Evelyn Grayson was com.
Ing towards me over the scented turf.
Still hidden by bend In the path, the
melody alone measured for me her ap-
proach. 1t was a French chanson she
was lifting, lyvic Of Baudelaire's, Of
which We we're both fond.
Sweet music sweeps me like the sea
Toward my pale star,
Whether the clouds be there or all the
air be free,
sail afar.
And then she came around the turn.
At first she did not see me, for her
eyes were lifted with her voice. and I
had time to mark the fascinating
grace Of her long, free stride, before
she became conscious Of my presence
and checked and shortened it. She
wore frock Of white serge, the
skirts edge at her ankles, revealing
dainty. snowy buckskin ties and Just q
peep OF white silk hose. And her
hower-like face looked out through q
frame OF Legborn straw and pink
roses, tied snugly beneath her softly
rounded chin with the fllmiest of long.
noating white wells. You can imagine
the picture she made, there in this
green glade, with her big blue eyes
ahght with glad surprise, and the
warm blood suddenly risen in her
cheeks.
You truant!" cried, in Jocular rep
rimand. Are you always going to run
away when visit Cragholt"
She pouted prettily detest a WON.
an who pouts, ordinarily There is
usually such palpable affectation about
1t. But Evelyn's pouting was winsome
as an infants. Besides It was onlv
momentary. Then her eyes flashed and
her foot was planted very hard. for
such tiny thing. on the green grass
blades.
I'm not a truant," she declared.
with feigned Indignation, land never
thought OF running away. That's Just
your conceited manly imagination.
You fancy that everything ! do can
have but one cause. and that is your.
SELF. How, pray, was I to know you
intended paying us morning call?"
Tut. tut" caught her up. what
little spitflre we have here! II you
hadn't deserted mo so shamefully last
evening. shouldn't have minded this
morning. 80 much. AS It ia, II seems
aeons since saw you"
Now she smiled until her dimples
nestled. THAT is much better" she
returned. gayly. "and deserves a reply.
Just 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 l use the word conceit a mo-
ment ago? Are you the only man I
lover"
Il hope so." answered, impudently..
There Is another" she confessed,
IN mock tragedy. Behold his face!"
l had not noticed that she held a
little roll In her hand. for my eyes had
oeen ever on hers; 80. when abruptly,
she spread out and held before me the
missing head from Cameron's portrait
was doubly unprepared. / know /
was startled She said oStorrro rdo