The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1919-07-31


Before Barnes could reply n hearty
voice accosted him from behind. lie
whirled and saw O'Dowd approaching.
not twenty yards away. The Irish
mans face was sgiow with pleasure.
II knew I couldn't be mistaken In
the shape Of YOU" be cried. advancing
with outstretched hand. you've got
the breadth OF dockhand In your
shoulders and the trimness Of prize
fighter In your waist"
They shook hands. II fear I am
trespassing." said Barnes. His glance
went over his shoulder as he spoke.
The man with the spade had been swal-
lowed up by the earthi He could not
have vanished more quickly In any
other way. on among the trees were
Intermittent flashes Of blue and white.
II am quite sure you are" said
O'Dowd promptly but without a trace
Of unfriendllness In his manner. BE
dad. loving him as I do. I can't help
saying that Curtis Is a bally old crank.
Mind ye. I'd say II to his face-T often
do, for the matter Of that. OF course"
he went on seriously. "he Is SICK
man. poor devil. You see I've known
him for a dozen years and more. and
he likes me. though God knows why.
unless II may be that I once did his
son a good turn In London"
Sufficient excuse for reparation. I
should say" smiled Barnes.
II introduced the lad to me only sis
ter" said ODowd. "and she kept him
happy for the next ten years. No
doubt I also provided Mr.. Curtis with
three grandchildren he might never
have had but for my graciousness."
A look Of distress came into his merry
eyes. by Jove. I'd like nothing bet
ter than to ask you In to have a dish
OF tea-it's teatlme. I'm sure-but I'd
no more think OF doing 1t than I'd con-
slider cutting OF me head. He doesn't
like strangers. He"
my dear fellow. don't distress your
SELF" cried Barnes heartily. 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 cant stun them full
OF objectlonables. Twice a year she
comes for n month, In the late fall
and early spring"
"Why does he continue to live in
this out-of-theworld spotf He Is an
old man. take II. and ILL.,"
you wouldn't be wondering II you
knew the man." said O'Dowd. "He is
a scholar. n dreamer. n sufferer. He's
not very old man at that. Not more
than sixty-hve."
He certainly has a fanclful streak
In him. building a place like that" said
Barnes. looking not at 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 trlfie dazed and distraught.
fright you are" agreed O'Dowd;
the queerest streak In the world. It's
his notion OF simplicity"
Green Fancy. Is that the name he
gave the place or does II 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 IL you've no
objections" said ODowd genially, 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 slgnified something
deep and imperative In the presence
not only OF O'Dowd but the jack-in-
the-box gardener a few minutes eur
Her.
His mind was still full Of the lovely
stranger about whom O'Dowd had so
lied over the telephone.
II must ask you TO apologize 10 the
young lady ON whom I Numbered a
few moments ago. Mr.. O'Dowd. She
must have been startled. Pray con-
vey TO her my solicitude and ex-
cuses."
Consider II done. my dear SIR" said
the Irlshman. "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
Iiness is almost equivalent TO being
struck by a bolt OF lightning. More
han one painter of portraits has said |
hat she Is the most beautiful woman |
n the world. Mayhap YOU have heard
n her. She Is Miss Cameron Of New |
orleans. a friend of Mrs. Van Dyke.