The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1913-01-04


I'm not truant." she declared.
with feigned Indignation. ''and l 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 | to know you
intended paying us a morning call?"
Tut. tut" l caught her up. What
a little spitfire We have here! If you
hadn't deserted me SO shamefully last
evening, | shouldn't have minded this
morning. SO much. AS it is. it seems
aeons since l saw you"
Now she smiled until her di'uples
nestled. That is much better. sha
returned, gayly. "and deserves reply.
just as my action OF last evening de-
serves praise. and not rebuke. l sac
rifced myself and my pleasure for one
l love"
Not for me, surely"
Did | use the word conceit a mo-
ment ago? Are you the only man
love-"
Il hope So" l answered, impudently.
There is another" she confessed,
in mock tragedy. Behold 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 Cameron's portrait.
was doubly unprepared. | know l
was startled. She said afterwards
that | went very white l suppose |
did; for with the rush OF realization
came such chain Of supposition as to
drive me momentarily dizzy. For
second or more l stood dumb. while
my hand went out in eager reach for
the scrap OF canvas. which, | had OBJ
served, instantaneously, bore four per
forations. all Of a size-the size of a
rifle bullet. With that discovery had
recurred the shots l had heard: and
following this, came 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 I recovered my composure l
found Evelyn backing wilfully away
from my covetous hand.
1T is the picture of the man l love-"
she was saying. teasingly. "A very.
very good man"
But where did you get it," l asked
seriously do you know where 1t
came from"
Suddenly she was as grave as
could wish
Il found it 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 it. and cut It up and
threw 1t away?"
Now ! found myself in some little
embarrassment II was to obey
Cameron's injunction ] could not tell
Evelyn the truth. Yet | was in no
position 70 make light of her find On
the other hand l must learn from her
just where she had come upon it, and
so trace, IL possible, the person who
had fired the shots which riddled it.
MY dear girl" said. adopting
tone OF cajolery. I'VE have here. l
think, a matter in which we both can
be of service-very valuable service,
indeed, 10 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-
derstapd?"
She laughed in that merry ripping
fashion which l had found not the
least OF her charms.
do I understand" she repeated.
laying a hand on my arm in emphasis
of her amused tolerance. DO I un-
derstand? OF course l don't, and l
shan't, until you have answered at
least a 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
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, so you must show what a strong
woman you are. by keeping
silence and waiting
In token of compliance she gave
me the oval piece of canvas.
a wonder who punched the holes
in VI" she remarked. ruefully. Who
ever it was. they were shockingly dis
| tried to fancy what she would
have said had she known they were
bullet holes. Evidently that possibil
ty had not occurred to her and was
glad that ii had not.
tTO BE CONTINUED
Grandchiid Of George ~.
,rbo fyrand D,chacc Anunufo