Vernon Parish Democrat. (Leesville, La.) 1917-193?, 1919-10-11
CHAPTER xIv-contInued.

ADAuUOuSUs III An pLODdDAAtJ S.SAAS
sort Of a stOne-cutter's shed would be
found nearby. 1t would provide shelter
from the fine rain that was falling and
from the chill night air. He remem-
bered that O'Dowd, in discussing the
erection of Green Fancy the night be-
fore, had said that the stone came
from a pit two miles away, where a
flne quality of granite had been found.
Two miles, according to Barnes quick
calculations, would bring the pit close
to the northern boundary Of the Curtis
property and almost directly on a line
with the point where he and Sprouse
entered the meadow at the beginning
Of their advance upon Green Fancy.
That being the case, they were now
quite close to the stake and rider fence
separating the Curtis land from that
Of the farmer on the north.
"Good," he said, more to himself
than to her. II begin to see light. Are
you afraid to remain here while go
down there for a look around? /
sha'n't be gone more than couple of
minutes"
'The way / feel at present." she
said, jerlkily, 81 shall never, never from
this instant till the hour in which /
die, let go Of your coat-tails, Mr..
Barnes" Suiting the action to the
word. her fingers resolutely fastened,
not upon the tail Of his coat but upon
his sturdy arm. II wouldn't stay here
alone for anything in the world"
'sHeaven bless YOU" he exclaimed,
suddenly exalted. "And, since you put
It that way, shall always contrive to
be within arms length"
And So together, they ventured
along the edge Of the pit until they
areached the wagon road at the bottom.
AS he had expected, there was a ram
shackle shed hard by. It was not
much OF a place. but 1t was deserted
and safe shelter for the moment.
a workmaR's bench lay on its side in
the middle Of the earthen door. He
righted 1t and drew 1t over to the
boarding. She laid her head
against his shoulder and sighed deeply.
He kept his eyes glued on the
door and listened for the first ominous
sound outside. A long time afterward
she stirred.
"Are you cold2 You are wet"
1T was the excitement, the nervous
ness, Mr. Barnes" she said, drawing
slightly away from him. isn't 1t near
" daybreak2"
He looked at his watch. "Three
o'clock" he said.
There ensued another period Of ST.
lence. She remained slightly aloof.
you'd better lean agaiTYt me-" he
said at last. II am softef than the
beastly boards. you know, and quite as
harmless"
'sThank you" she said, and promptly
settled herself against his shoulder
1T is better" she sighed.
aWould you mind telling me some
thing about yourself, Miss Cameron
should like to know whether I am tc
address you as princess, duchess, Or
just plain Miss. =
II am more accustomed to plain
Miss, Mr.. Barnes, than to either Of
the titles you would give me-"
Don't you feel that am deserving
Of a little enlightenment" he asked. q
am working literally as well as fig
uratlgely In the dark. Who are you
why were you prisoner at Green
Fancyl Where and what is your ma
tive landY
.'1Tr. Barnes. cannot answer any
one of your questions without jeopar
dizing q cause that Is dearer to me
than anything else ia all the world.
am sorry. I pray God day may soor
come when ! can reveal everything Il
you.-and to the world. am Of I
stricken country; / am trying to serve
the unhappy house that has ruled Il
Tor centuries and Is now In the dlrest
peril The man you know as Loeb Il
B prince Of that house. / may say thil
10 you, and It will serve to explain nay
position at Green Fancy he Is not thu
prince was led to believe awaited m'
there. he Is the cousin Of the man
expected to meet and he Is the eneml
Of the branch OF the house that
would serve Do not ask me to sa.
more"
"Your aympathies are with the en-
lenfe allies. the princes are opposed
Is fhaI part Of sprouse's story truer
eyes,
"And ODowdT
"OD0wd Is anti-Englisil Mr.. Barnes
il tlsal conveys anything 70 you. Il
Is nQi pro-Gernian."
Wasnt Il pretty risky for you {
carry tie crown jewels around In
travelling bug. Miss caneronfH
a SUPPOSE 80 L turned out hov
ever. that li was the safest, sures
.raq had Them ID my possession 20
three days before coming % Gree
Fancy 80 one suspected was {
als hem 70 one 81 fAeif rientf.