The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-06-19
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! to. call it The Rough Rider" A full moon, brilliant amid blown cloud rack, lighted up the vast process i sion of pillows charging in upon a near coast. In the foreground a corpse, the face bent far up and back from the | spar to which it was dashed, rode with wild abandon headlong at the onlook- CT on the crest of a roaring surge. The rest was infinite clarity of distance and desolation. "TDe Rough RfderY" murmured Kent; then, with a change of tone, '"When did you finish this picture?"
 Yesterday" "H-m! Has any one else seen it?" That old fraud of a plumber, Elder Dennett, saw me working on it yes terday when he was doing some re- pairing here and remarked that it gave him the creeps.'' ''Dennett2 Well, then, that's all up," said Kent, as if speaking to himself. '"There's a streak of superstition in all these New Englanders. He'd be sure to interpret it as a confession before the fact. However, Elder Dennett left this morning for a trip to Cadystown. That's so much to the good"
 He may have left for trip to Radestown for all I care," stated Sedg- wick with conviction. Whats it all about anywayT
 ssI'u tell you as soon as I've mulled it over a little. Just let me cool my mind down with some more of your pictures.'' He turned to the wall bor- der again and faced another picture out 'SWhat's this? You seem to be something of a dab in black and white toog'
 "Oh, that's an imaginary face" said Sedgwick carelessly.
 "Imaginary face studied from va rious angles" commented Kent. "It's a very lovely face and the most wist- ful I've ever seen. A fairy prisoned on earth by cockcrow might wear some such expression of startled wondering purity, fancy.'
 Poetry as well, as mystery! Kent, you grow and expand on acquaint- ance."
 .sThere is poetry in your study ot that imaginary fay. Imaginary! Um- hump contiued Kent dryly as he stopped to the floor. .I suppose this is an imaginary hairpin too."
 "dy Chinaman''- began Sedgwick quickly, when the other caught him up:
  commit the foolishness Of asking who she is."
 of you did give you my word of honor couldn't tell you. I only wish I knewr'
 There was silence between them for . moment, then the painter broke out with the air of one who takes reso1u- ton:
 See here. Kentl You're 2. sort Of de- tective, aren't your"
 ''Tve been called so.''
 s'And you like my picture of The Rough Rider 2
 stFive hundred dollars worth.'
 You can have that and any other picture in my studio except this ono" he indicated the canvas with the face. eff you'll find out for me who she is-" ssThat might be done. We shall see. But frankly, Sedgwick, there's mat ter of more importance"-
 Importance? Good heavens, manI There's nothing so important in this worldr'
 sOh, is it as bad as that7"
 A heavy knock sounded from below, followed by the Chinaman's voice in- termingled with boyish accents de- manding Sedgwick in the name of telegraph company.
 HSend him upI'' ordered Sedgwick, and the boy arrived, but not before Kent had quietly removed ''The Rough Rider'' from it's place of exhibit
 Special from the village" announe- ed young Mercury '.Sign here" After the signature had been duly set down and the signer had read the message with knit brows, the urchin fingered, big with news.
 Say, heard about the body on the beach?"
 ] Kent turned quickly to see sedg- wick's face. It was interested, but unmoved as he replied: ''No- Where was it found?'
 Lonesome Cove. Woman. Dressed swell. Washed up on a grating last night or this morning"
 Its curious how they all come in here, isn't it?'' said the artist to Kent. ''This is the third this sumner
 "And it's a corkerino!" said the boy. 'Sherif's on the case. Body was all chained up, they say"
 'Pm sure they need you at the office to help circulate the news, my son. 1 said Kent. "And I'll bet you this quarter, payable in advance, that you can't get back in half an hour on your wheel"
 With a grin the boy took the coin. 'I got yer" he said and was of.
 CHAPTER III.
 A Strange Meeting.