The Pulaskian., 1919-07-11

or tea-it's teatime, Pm sure-but I'd no more think of doing it than I'd con sider cutting off me head. He doesn't like strangers. He-''
 My dear fellow, don't distress your self," cried Barnes heartily. s@There isn't the least reason in the world why"
 You see, the poor old chap asks us up here once or twice year-that is to say, 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 stuff them full of objeetionables. Twice a year she comes for month, in the late fall and early spring.
 Why does he continue to live in this ut-of-the-world spot? He is an old man, take it, and ill" You wouldn't be wondering if you l knew the man," said O'Dowd. "He is l scholar, dreamer, a sufferer. He's not very old man at that. Not more l than sixty-fve."
 He certainly has a fanciful streak In him, building place like that" said Barnes, looking not at the house but into the thicket above. There was no l sign of the blue and white and the 1 spun gold that still defied exclusion from his minds eye. He had not re- covered from the thrall into which the vision of loveliness plunged him. He was still trifie dazed and distraught.
 Right you are" agreed ODowd ]; the queerest streak in the world. It's his notion of simplicity"
 Green Fancy. Is that the name he gave the place or does it spring from
 Twas christened by me own sis ter, Mir. Barnes, the first time she was here, two years ago. I'll walk with y6u to the fence beyond if you've no objections" said 0'Dowd genially. and linked his arm through that of Barnes.
 The latter was at once subtly aware of the fact that he was being delib- erately conducted from the grounds. Moreover, he was now convinced that O'Dowd had been close upon his heels from the instant he entered them. There was something uncanny in nTthe feeling that possessed him. Such es- pionage as this signified something deep and imperative in the presence not only of O'Dowd but the jack-in- the-box gardener a few minutes ear Her.
 His mind was still full of the lovely stranger about whom O'Dowd had so manifestly lied over the telephone.
 T must ask you to apologize to the young lady on whom blundered a few moments ago, Mir O'Dowd. She must have been startled. Pray con vey to her my solicitude and ex- cuses."
 Consider it done, my dear sir" said the Irishman. "Our most charming and seductive guest he went on. "Bedad of the two of you, I'll stake me head you were startled the most Coming suddenly upon such rare love- liness is almost equivalent to being struck by a bolt of lightning. 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 Cameron of New Orleans, a friend of Mrs Van Dyke. We have quite an enchanting house party, Mir. Barnes. if you consider no more than the feminine side of it. By the way, have you heard when the coroner is to hold his inquests?"
 "Nothing definite. He may wait week." said Barnes.
 q suppose you'll stick around until it's over," ventured O'Dowd. Barnes thought he detected a slight harshness in his voice.
 'T have quite made up my mind to stay until the mystery is entirely cleared up,' he said. "The case is so interesting that don't want to miss shred of it."
 q don't blame ye," said ODowd heartily. "Td like nothing better me self than to mix up in it. The next time you plan to pay Us visit, tele- phone in advance I 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.
 .rakin' walk?n was the landlords greeting as Barnes mounted the tavern steps at dusk.
 Going 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 at 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- fr h fc