Cleveland County herald., 1919-06-12

someone at Spanish Falls. It ap- years that there was a misunderstood ing. The driver didn't meet the train, so the person he was going after walked all the way to the forks. We happened upon each other there, MT. Jones, and we studied the signpost to- gether. She was bound for place called Green Fancy"
 Did you say she?"
 "Yes. I was proposing to help her out of her predicament when the be- lated motor came racing down the slope"
 "What for sort of looking lady was she?'
 "she wore a veil," said Barnes sue cinctly.
 "Young?"
 q had that impression. By the way, Mir. Jones, what and where is Green Fancy?"
 'Well," began the landlord, lowering his voice, tits about two mile and half from here, up the mountain. It's a house and people live in it, same as any other house. That's about all there is to say about it.'
 "Why is it called Green Fancy?"
 Because it's a green house." re- piled Jones succinctly. "Green as a gourd. A man named Curtis built it couple O years ago and he had a fool idee about paintin' it green. Might ha' been a little crazy, for all I know. Anyhow, after he got it fin- ished he settled down to live in it, and from that day to this he's never been offn the place"
 Isn't it possible that he isn't there at all?"
 Hes there, all right. Every now and then he has visitors-iust like this woman today-and sometimes they come down here for supper. They don't hesitate to speak of him, so he must be there. Miss lilly has got the idee that he is a recluse, if you know what that is."
 Further conversation was inter- rupted by the irregular chatter of horses hoofs on the macadam. Off to the left a dull red glow of light spread across the roadway and a mans voice called out, 'Whoa, dang yep
 The door of the smithy had been thrown open and someone was lead- ing forth freshly shod horses.
 A moment later the horses-pranc- ing, high-spirited animals = their bridle bits held by strapping black smith, came into view. Barnes looked in the direction of the steps. The two men had disappeared Instead of stop ping directly in front of the steps the smith led his charges quite distance beyond and into the darkness.
 Putnam Jones abruptly changed his position. He insinuated his long body between Barnes and the doorway, at the same time rather loudly proclaim ing that the rain appeared to be over.
 "Yes, sir" he repeated, 'she seems to have let up altogether. Ought to have nice day tomorrow Mir. Barnes nice, cool day for walkin'."
 Voices came up from the darkness. Jones had not been able to cover them with his own. Barnes caught two or three sharp commands, rising above the paving of horses hoofs, and then a great chatter as the mounted horse men rode off in the direction of the crossroads.
 Barnes waited until they were muf- fled by distance and then turned to Jones with the laconic remark:
 "They seem to be foreigners, MT. Jones'"
 Jones' manner became natural once more. He leaned against one of the posts and, striking a match on his leg, relighted his pipe.
 "Kind O curious about 'em?" he drawled.
 Tt never entered my mind until this instant to be curious" said Barnes. "Well, it entered their minds about an hour ago to be curious about you" said the other. CHAPTER w.