The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-06-26

 sWhy, yes It seems curiously un finished just there"
 ''If you were touching it up how would you correct thatT'
 seWith a slight shading just there where the neck muscle should be thrown up a bit by the turn of the head
 cor by introducing a large pendant earring which the copier has left out P
 eKent you're a wonder! That would do it exactly. But why in the name of all that's marvellous should the trac CT of this drawing leave out the ear ring?"
 .sobviousIy to keep the picture as near like as possible to the body on the beach"
 'aThen you don't think it is the wo- man of the beach7"
 'tNo; don't"
 'eWho else could it possibly beP'
 @sPerhaps we can best find that out by discovering who left the drawing here"
 "That looks like something of a job." {"
 ''Not very formidable, I think. Sup pose we run up to the village and ask the local stationer who has bought any tracing paper there within a day or two.'
 As the demand for tracing paper in Marttndale Center was small, the sta tioner upon being called on had no diff cuIty in recalling that Elder Dennett had been in that afternoon and made such a purchase.
 saThen he must have discovered something after left him. said Kent to Sedgwick, ''for he never could have kept his secret if he'd had it then ''
 "But what motive could he have9'' cried the artist
 .sJust mischief probably. That's enough motive for his sort" Turning to the storekeeper. Kent added, Do you happen to know how MT Dennett spent the early part of this afternoon P
 ''I surely do. He was up to Dim mock's rummage auction, an he got something there that tickled him like a feather But he wouldn't let on what 1t was"
 '@The origina1.'' said Sedgw1ck.
 seWhat does .Dfmmock deal inT' ~AII kinds of odds and ends. He scrapes the country for bankrupt sales an has big auction once a year. Everybody goes You can find any hand marriage certificate at his place.
  said Kent
 That worthy was about closing up shop when they entered
 Don't your lamp work right yet, Professor Kent?'' he inquired
 Perfectly responded the scientist. 'TWe have come to see you on another matter MT. Sedgwick and I"
 First let me thank you" said Sedg- wick, ''for the curious work of art you left at my place" E .s'
 "Hay-ee2'' inquired the elder, with a rising infection
 Don't take the trouble to lie about it." put in Kent. 'sJust show us the original of the drawing which you traced so handily.'
 The town gossip shifted uneasi1y from foot to foot How'd you know I got the picture?' he giggled. T didn't find it myself till I got back from the auction"
 Never mind the process. Have you the original hereF'
 "Yes," said Elder Dennett; and, go ing to his desk, he brought back square of heavy bluish paper, slightly discolored at the edges.
 That's very good bit of drawing" said Sedgwick as he and Kent bent over the paper.
 ''But unsigned said his companion. pose this to be7''
 ''Why, the lady that stopped to talk with MT. Sedgwick and was killed in Lonesome Cove'
 ''Then why did you leave out this earring in copying the picture?''
 sAw-well," explained the other in some confusion, ''she didn't have no earrings on when I seen her, and it looks a lot more like without it" "How muchanoney would you take for this ?''
 About $5, I guess" replied the oth- CT in a bold expulsion of breath. At this moment Sedgwick, who had been studying the picture in the light, made a slight signal with his hand, which did not escape Kent. Five dollars is a big price for al rough pencil sketch said the scien- tist. 'sI'd have to know more of the you find it?
 ''In this book I bought the book at Dimmock's rummage auction He produced decrepit, loosely bound edi- ton of the Massachusetts Agricultural 1 Reports. "The picture was stuck in between the leaves. 7
 "No name in the book said Kent | 'sThe fyleaf is gone But here's the l date of publication-1S3O.'s
 That would be just about right said Sedgwick, with lively interest. Right for what?' demanded Den nett
 Before there was time for reply Kent | had pressed a five dollar bill into his hand, with the words: You've made a trade" Wait" protested the elder. But the | sketch was already in Sedgwicks pos session
 Its an Elliott said that gentle man. "I'm sure of it. I've seen his | sketches before, though they're very |