The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1912-08-30


floating white wells. You can imagine
the picture she made, there In this
green glade, with her big blue eyes
alight with glad surprise, and the
warm blood suddenly risen In her
cheeks.
you truant!" cried, In ocular rep.
rimand. Are you always going to run
away when l visit Cragholt?"
She pouted prettily. / detest wom-
an who pouts, ordinarily. There IL
usually such palpable affectation about
1t. But Evelyn's poutlng was winsoma
as an Infants. Besides 1t 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 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 10 your
self. How, pray. was l to know you
intended paying US a morning CALI"
Tut, tut" l caught her up, What
little spitfire we have here! II you
hadn't deserted me so shamefully last
evening. shouldn't have minded this
morning, so much. AS 1t is, it seems
aeons since saw you"
Now she smiled until her dimples
nestled. "That is much BETTER" she
returned, gayly, "and deserves reply,
Just as my action Of last evening de-
serves praise, and not rebuke. I sac
rificed myself and my pleasure for one
I love-"
mot for me, surely!"
did l use the word concelt a mo-
ment ago? Are you the only man
love?"
Il hope So" answered, impudently.
There Is another" she confessed,
in mock tragedy. Behold his facet"
l had not noticed that she held a
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. know 1
was startled. She said afterwards
that l went very white. l suppose l
did; for with the rush Of realization
came such chain of superstition as to
drive me momentarily dizzy. For D
second or more l stood dumb, while
my hand went out in eager reach for
the scrap Of canvas, which, l had OBJ
served, instantaneouBly, bore four per-
forations, all Of size-the size Of a
rifle 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
servants as the chief actor.
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, teaslngly. "A very,
very good man"
"But where did you get it?" l aaked
seriously do you know where 1t
came from?"
Suddenly she was as grave as
could wish.
II found 1t nailed to a tree" she an.
swered. Wasn't 1t odd? How do you
suppose 1t 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 I found myself In some little
embarrassment. If l was to obey
Cameron's injunction l 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, If possible, the person who
had fired the shots which riddled 1t.
"My dear girl" said, adopting a
tone of ca1olery, 1--WE 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 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 UNI
derstand"
She laughed In that merry ripping |
fashion which l had found not the |
least Of her charms.
do l understand" she repeated,
laying a hand on my arm In emphasis |
Of her amused tolerance. do | un.
derstand? OF course l don't, and |
shant, until you have answered at
least a halfdozen why's and what's"
"But you must trust me-" l 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 1t, Philip"
"Really," l answered, gravely. I'D |
like to tell you all about it, right here
and now, but that might spoil every.
thing, 80 you must show what a strong |