Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1919-05-29

son good turn in London
sufficient excuse for PREPARATION, ]
should say" smiled Barnes.
Il introduced the lad to me only dis
err said O'D0wd, sand she kept him
happy for the next ten years. No
ioubt ! also provided Mr. Curtis with
:hree grandchildren he might never
have had but for my gracIousness.s
A look OF distress came into his merry
eyes. by Jcse. I'd like nothing bet
.er than to ask you in to have dish
If tea-It's teatime. I'm sure-but I'd
no more think Of doing II than I'd con-
slider cutting or me head. He doesn't
Ike strangers. He"
my GEAR fellow, don't distress your.
self" cried Barnes heartily. ~rhere
isn't the least reason In the world
why
"You see, the poor old chap asks
Is up here once or twice a year-that
ID to say, De Soto and me-tO keep
his sister from filling the house VI
with men he can't endure. So long
IS we occupy the only available rooms.
he argues, she can't stuff them full
If objecfionables. Twice a year she
comes for a month, In the late fail
and early spring"
"why does he continue TO live In
this out-of-the-world spot7 He II an
old man. take Il, and III"
"You wouldn't be wondering IL you
knew the man." said O'Dowd. "He Il
4 scholar. dreamer, a sufferer. He's
not a very old man at that. Not more
than sixty-five."
"He certainly has a fanciful streak
In him. building place like that" said
Barnes. looking not at the house but
into the thlcket above. There was nc
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 lovellness plunged him. He
was still a trifle dazed and dIstraught
fright you are" agreed O'Dowd;
"the queerest streak In the world. It's
his notion Of simplicity"
- AA4aN tuG u4l&lG uG
gave the place or does II spring
FROM"
"Twas chrtstened 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 at 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 jack-in-
the-bOx gardener a few minutes ear.
Her.
His mind was still full of the lovely
stranger about whom O'DOwd had GO
manifestly lied over the telephone.
II must ask you to apologize to the
young lady on whom I Numbered q
few moments ago, Mr.. O'Dowd. She
must have been startled. Pray CON.
vey to her my solicitude and ex.
cuses."
Consider 1t done, my dear sir" said
the Irishman. "0ur 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
illness Is almost equivalent to being
struck by n 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
or 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 - way, have you heard when the
coroner Is to hold his inquests?"
Nothing d finite. He may wait q
week." said Barnes.
81 suppose you'll stick around until
It's over" ventured ODowd. Barnes
thought he detected a slight harshness
his voice.
Il have quite made up my mind TO
fay until the mystery Is entirely
cleared up" he said 1.-THE case A so
interesting that I don't want to miss O
shred of It."
Il don't blame ye." said oDowd
leartily. I'D like nothing better me-.
self than to mix up In it. The next
hme yov plan to pay US a visit, tele.,
phone In advance. 4 may be able to
persuade my host that you're o. de-
cent. law-abiding. educated gentleman,
and he'll consent to receive you at
Green Fancy. Good day to ye," and
lie shook hands with the departina
respasser.
"Takin' o walk?" was the landlords
greeting as Barnes mounted the tsverr
steps at dusk.
Going over the grounds OF last
oights affair."" responded Barnes
pausing
As he entered the door he was
acutely aware OF an intense stare len
eied at him from behind by the inud,
lord OF Harris Tavern. Half way m
the stairway he stopped short and
with difficulty repressed the exclama,
ton that rose to his lips.
He had recalled a significant incl
dent or the night before. Almost inn
meiiately 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
number In a loud. brisk voice. buI
the subsequent conversation was car
RED on In subdued tones. attended by'
haste and occasional furtive gianees
IN the direction OF the taprOom.
Upon reaching his room Barnes nsr
mitted the suppressed emotion A.
escape his lips in the shane. Of \ az,
whistle. which II 1t could have haer
translated'into words would have adj
by Cad. why haven't I thought or N
Deforef He sent out the warnins thss
Room and Paul waro o,. a.. 49,