The Forrest City times., 1913-03-14
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stone pillars with their heraldic
shields, and sauntered leisurely along
the smooth macadam drive. bordered
by sentinel elms.
My thoughts We're busy with the
new line of conjecture which Romney
had unconsciously opened up for me.
wondered whether by any POSSIBLE
ity this eccentric painter, Murphy,
could be personally involved. Was
Cameron acquainted with him? Had
they ever quarrelled? From what
Romney had told me OF the affair at
Garrison's the artist was evidently Of
a bellicose disposition. He had come
here TWO years ago. Cameron had
owned Cragholt less than year.
Perhaps a the time he was preparing
the mansion for occupancy he mad
offended the too sensitive Murphy
Who'll was letting my Imagination
run free-may' have wished to take
a hand at the new decoration. II
would probably be we'll for ME 70 see
Cameron before seeing the artist. The
lnvoiutions Of my hypothetical train
led me. | fear. into many monstrous-
ly preposterous conceits; yet. as sub
sequent events proved, the cogitation
IN which ! INDUCED on that afternoon
walk was not wholly idle Although
the working out was along lines
which I was then far from foresee-
ing, it vas curious, in looking back.
10 observe how very closely. collater-
ally, even at that stage, came to the
truth.
In the midst OF my revery. the
rhythm of horses hoofs on the drive
awoke me 10 time and place And as
| raised my eyes. saw, still some
distance away, but bearing down
upon me at 4 swift single-foot, the
girlish figure Of Evelyn Grayson. in
white waist and gray habit. mounted
on Prince Charley, a buckskin cayuse.
which for saddle purposes she pre-
ferred to all the thoroughbreds in the
Cameron stables.
Am I late?" she cried refining the
wiry little animal 10 stand beside
me. Celia Ainslee just left. She
was expecting the Lentilhons 10 stop
for her in their motor boat. but they
broke down and We're delayed. and
instead Of coming at three O'Clock. it
was half-past four before they land
ed"
Il fancy you are just on the min
ute was my response, as consult
ed my timepiece.
But I'm still mile from the
Lodge" she argued.
And all the nearer TO the trail"
condoned. 1T must be somewhere
about here, isn't it,"
You've passed it. It's just beyond
that next bend And she pointed
over my shoulder
Why didn't you bring a groom
with you to hold your steed?" asked
smiling. You don't expect 10 ride
Prince Charley into the forest fast.
nesses, do you"
Il could" she answered, promptly.
y Will. if you dare me He can pick
his way like a cat But it isn't nee
essary He'll stand forever, the dear
thing, II I drop the bride rein over
his head
Ny preference was 10 have her on
foot at my side, and so l did not dare
her. And thus 1t CHANGED that We left
the homely little animal standing
with dropping head and dangling rein
/ on the Swallowed side Of the drive
way and went of together down the
narrow, Notwithstanding trail. the
girl In the lead.
The slantiug sunlight, shooting its
golden arrows in Intermittent volleys
through the tree tops, made target Of
her hair, az We passed, scoring bril-.
liant flashes of Furnished bronze Her
nat, a broad-brimmed sailor Of coarse
straw. was but poor shield for that
shimmeriug tawny coil which lay low
on her neck, and the darling rays
had their viii with it. have never
before or since seen hair Just like
Evelyn Grayson's. There was such
wealth OF il. and it's color was so elu.
sive Under dim lights il seemed a
prosaic brown, but with small encour-
agement it changed 10 light fawn.
streaked with lustrous topaz strands;
which in the suns blaze became
dazzling bronze glory.
I'm pretty sure can find the
tree" she asserted, as she swung
along with that free, Hssorne stride
which / loved. ut is an old, dead
chestnut. great giant Of the woods.
imposing even in death and 1t stands
only a half-dozen yards off the trail.
was looking for ferns, or never
In the world should have come upon
IT, How do you imagine that thing
ever got away of here? And who
could have stuck it UP on that dead
tree trunk?"
THAT is precisely what I should
Ike to find out" was my reply 1T
seems very mysterious to me. About
what time was it. when you disc1v-
cred it,"
Just before I met you"
Had you heard any shooting IN
the woods, before that?"
Shooting" she queried, apparent
ly surprised No. Was some one