The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1913-03-06


You fancy that everything l do can
have but one cause, and that is your
self. How. pray. was | to know you
intended paying US morning CALI"
Tut, tut" | caught her up. What
little spitfre We have here! II you
hadn't deserted me so shamefully last
evening, shouldn't have minded this
morning, so much. As It is. It seems
acons since cav you"
Now she smiled until her Gmples
nestled. THAT is much better" she
returned, Eayly. and deserves a reply,
Just as my action OF last evening de.
serves praise, and not rebuke. sac.
rilced myself and my pleasure for one
love"
Not for me, surely"
Did | use the word conceit q mo
ment ago? Are you the only man !
love-"
u hope So" answered. impudcn,ly.
There is another" she confessed.
In mock tragedy. Behold his face"
] had not noticed TINT she held n
little roll in her hand, for my eyes had
been ever on hers; so, when abruptly,
she spread ont ard held before me the
missing head from Camcron'g portrait
was doubly unprepared | know
was startled She said afterwards
that ! went very white. suppose |
did; for with the rush OF realization
cane such chain OF suppositiun as to
drive mo momcntnrily dizzy. For
second or more ! stood dumb, while
my hand went out in eager reach for
the scrap Of canvas. which, ! had OBJ
served, instantueously. bore four per
ioratlOns oil Of q si2c-thc size Of a
rifle bullet. With that discovery had
required the shots | 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'R target practice; and always with
one or another Of Cameron's trusted
servants as the chief actor.
When recovered my composure l
found Evelyn backing wilfully away
from my Coyetous hand.
1T is the picture Of the man I love"
she was saying teaslngly. "A very,
very good man"
But where did you get it?" asked
seriously. do you know where II
came from ?"
Suddenly she was as grave as
could wish.
u found Il nailed to tree" she an.
swcrcd. Wasn't It odd? How do you
suppose II came there? II looks like f.
the portrait that hung IN Uncle
Roberts study. DO you suppose he |
grew to dislike IT, and cut It up and |
threw It away"
Now found myself in some little |
embarrassment II | was to obey |
Camcron's injunction ! could not tell |
Evelyn the truth. Yet ! was In no |
position TO make light OF her find. On
the other hand | must learn from her
just where she had come upon Il, and |
so trace. If possible. the person who |
had fired the shots which riddled Il. |
MY dear girl" | said. adopting a |
tone OF chjolery, we have here, |
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 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 un.
derstand?"
She laughed in that merry ripping |
fashion which | 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 | un. |
derstand? or course I don't, and | |
shan't, until you have answered at |
least a half-dozen why's and what's"
But you must trust me-" Insisted. |
land 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, al she |
asked:
DO you really mean It, Philip"
Really" answered. gravely. I'D |
like to tell you all about 1t, right here
and now. but that might spoil every.
thing. so you must show what a 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," she remarked. ruefully who
ever 1t was, they were shockingly dis.
respectful"
tried to fancy what she would
have said had she known they we're
bullet holes. Evidently that POSSIBLE.
ity had not occurred TO her and was
glad that It had not.
(To BE CoNTINUED.)