The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1919-06-05

ter than to ask you in to have Il dish
Of tea-it's ,eatime. I'm Sure-but I'd
no more think of doing it than I'd con-
slider cutting off 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 Il 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 objectionables. Twice a year she
comes for a month, in the late fall
and early spring."
"Why does he continue to live in
this out-of-the-world spot? He is an
old man. I take it. and ill.,"
You wouldn't be wondering if you
knew the man." said O'Dowd. HE is
a scholar, a dreamer. a sufferer. He's
not a very old man at that. Not more
than sixty-tive."
"He certainly has a fanciful 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 n trille dazcd and distraught.
fright YOU are" agreed O'Dowd /;
the queerest streak in tile 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, 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 genially. and
linked his arm through that of Barnes.
The latter was at G 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.
lhere was something uncunny in the
feeling that possessed him. Such es-
pionage as this signifiel something
deep and Imperative in the presence
o only Of O'Dowd but the jack-in-
tlle-box gardener Il few minutes ear
lier.
His mind was still full of the lovely
stranger about whom O'Dowd had SO
manifestly lied over the telephone.
81 must ask you to apologize to the
young lady Oil whom I blundered Il
few moments ago. Mr.. O'Dowd. She
must have been startled. Pray on
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.
"Belad, 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
tina, 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, Mr.. Barnes. if you consider no
more than the feminine side Of it.
BY the way. have you heard wien the
corone is to hold his i%nQuests?"
Nothing definite. He may wait q
week." said Barnes.
II suppose you'll stick around until
it's over" ventured O'Dowd. Barnes
thought he detected a slight harslness
in his voice.
II have quite made up my mind to
stay until the mystery is entirely
cleared up" he said. 1.-THE case is SO
interesting that l don't want to miss !;
shred Of it,"
81 don't blame ye." said O'DowG
heartily. I'D like nothing better me
self than to mix up in it. The next
time you plan to pay Us a visit, tele.
phone in advance. l may be able tC
persuade my host that you're q de
cent, law-abidiny. educated gentleman
and he'll consent W receive you a!
Green Fancy. Good day to ye." anC
lie shook hands with the derar1in:
treSpaSScr.
"Inkin' Il walk?" WAS the landlord.
greeting as Barnes mounted the tavern
steps 1T dusk.
Going over the grounds of las
nights affair."" responded Barnes
pausing
AS he entered the door he wa:
acutely aware Of ali intense stare lev
eled at him from behind by the land
lord Of Harris Tavern. Half way vi
til" stairway he opped short an,
with difficulty repressed the exclalna
ton that rose to his lips.
He had recalled a significant Incl
lent of the night before. Almost I'm,