Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1919-06-19

why"
lyon zee. the poor old chap asks
M up here once or twice q year-that
is to soy, De Soto and me-to keep
his sister from filling the house up
with men he can't endure. So long
as we occupy the only available rooms
he argues, she can't stun them full
Of objectionnbles. Twice year she
comes for month, In the late fall
and early spring."
"Why does he continue to live in
this out-of-the-world spot? He is IN
old man. take It, and ILL.,"
"You wouldn't be wondering II you
knew the man." said ODowd. "He liz
scholar, a dreamer. sufferer. He's
not very old man at that. Not more
than sixty-five."
He certainly has fanciful streak
In him, building place like that" said
barnes. looking not Ut the house but
into the thicket above. There was no
sign Of the blue and white and the
spun gold that still defied exclusion
from his minds eye. He had not re-
covered from the thrall into which the
vision of loneliness plunged him. He
was still a trifie dnzed and distraught,
fright you are" agreed O'Dowd:
"the queerest streak in the world. It's
his notion Of simplicity"
Screen Fancy. Is that the name he
gave the place or does 1t spring
from"
"Twas christened by me own sis.
ter. Mr.. Barnes, the first time she was
here, two years ago. I'll walk with
you to the fence beyond If you've no
objections" said O'Dowd gcnially, and
linked his arm through that of Barnes.
The latter was ut once subtly aware
OF the fact that he was being DELHI
erately conducted from the grounds.
Moreover, he was now convinced that
ODowd had been close upon his heels
from the instant he entered them.
There was something uncanny in the
feeling that possessed him. Such es-
pionage as this signified something
deep and imperative in the presence
not only of ODowd but the iack-in-
the-box gardener few minutes eur.
lier.
His mind was still full of the lovely
stranger about whom O'Dowd had SO
manifestly lied over the telephone.
Il must ask you to apologize to the
syoung lady on whom blundered
few moments ago, Mr.. ODowd. She
must have been startled. Pray con-
vey to her my sOlicitude and ex-
cuses."
Consider 1t done, my dear SIR" said
the lrishnnn. "Our most charming
and. seductive guest" he went on.
"Bedad of the two Of you, TIL stake
ME head you were startled the most.
Coming suddenly upon such rare love
illness is almost equivalent to being
struck ny bolt or ngntning More
than one painter of portraits has said
that she is the most beautiful woman
in the world. Mayhap you have heard
Of her. She is Miss Caneron of New
Orleans. a friend of Mrs. Van Dyke.
We have quite IN enchanting housl
party. Mr.. Barnes. If you consider no
more than the feminine side Of it.
BY . way, have you heard when the
coroner is to hold his inquests?"
Nothing d 4nite. He may wait a
week." said Barnes.
II suppose you'll stick around until
It's over" ventured O'Dowd. Barnes
thought he detected a slight harshness
in his voice.
II have quite made up my mind to
stay until the mystery Is entirely
cleared up," he said 'srhe case is 80
interesting that I.don't want to miss
shred of it."
Il don't blame ye," said O'Dowd
heartily. "I'd like nothing better me
self than to mix up In it. The next
time you plan to pay US visit, tele-
phone in advance. 4 may be able to
persuade my host that you're de-
cent, law-abiding, educated gentleman,
and he'll consent to receive you at
Green Fancy. Good day to ye." and
he shook hands with the departing
trespasser.
'Takin' a waikiki was the landlords
greeting. as Barnes mounted the tavern
steps at dusk.
"Golng over the grounds Of last
nights affair."" responded Barnes,
pausing
AS he entered the door he was
acutely aware Of an intense stare lev
eled ut him from behind by the land
lord Of Hart's Tavern Half way up
the stairway, he stopped short and
with difficulty repressed the exclama-
ton that rose to his lips.
He had recalled a significant Incl
dent Of the night before. Almost i'm
mediately after the departure of Room
and Paul from the Tavern Putnam
Jones had made his way to the tele-
phone behind the desk and had called
q number in loud. brisk voice, but
the subsequent conversation was car
ried on In subdued tones, attended by
haste and occasional furtive glances