Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1919-07-16

ue argues, she CANT StulI tuem 1ull
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. take it, and ILL.,"
'You wouldn't be wondering If you
knew the man." said O'Dowd. HE is
a scholar, dreamer, sufferer. He's
not very old man at that. Not more
than sixty-dve."
HE certainly has a fanclful streak
in him. building 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 defled exclusion
from his minds eye. He had not re-
covered from the thrall into which the
vision Of loneliness plunged him. He
was still trifle dazed and distraught.
"Right you are" agreed O'Dowd;
"the queerest streak In the world. It's
his notion of simplicity"
Screen Fancy. Is that the name he
gave the place or does 1t 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 II you've no
objections" said O'Dowd 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
O'DOwd 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 O'Dowd but the jack-in.
the-box gardener q few minutes ear
lier.
His mind was stffl full Of the lovely
stranger about whom ODowd had so
manifestly lied over the telephone.
II must ask you to apologize to the
young lady on whom blundered
few moments ago, Mr.. O'Dowd. She
must have been startled. Pray con.
vey to her my sollcitude and ex.
cuses."
"Consider it done, my dear sir" said
the Irishman. "Our most charming
and seductive guest" he went ION.
"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 bolt Of lightning. More
than one painter of portraits has said
that she is the most beautiful woman
in the world. Maybap 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 ~, way, have you heard when the
coroner is to hold his inquests?"
Nothing d finite. He may wait .
week." said Barnes.
II suppose you'll stick around until
it's over" ventured O'Dowd. Barnes
thought he detected slight harshness
In his voice.
II 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."
II don't blame ye," said O'Dowd
heartily. "rd 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.
"Takin' q walk?" 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 Harris Tavern. Half way up
the stairway he stopped short and
with difficulty repressed the exclama-
ton that rose to his lips.
He had recalled significant Incl.
dent Of the night before. Almost i'm
mediately 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
a number in a loud, brisk voice. but
the subsequent conversation was car
ried on in subdued tones, attended by
haste and occasional furtive glances
in the direction Of the taproom.
Upon reaching his room Barnes per-
mitted the suppressed emotion to
escape his lips in the shape Of soft
whistle, which II 1t could have been
translated'into words would have said !:
by Cad, why haven't thought Of it
before? He sent out the warning that
Room and Paul were on the way! And
I'd like to bet my last dollar that
someone at Green Fancy had the other
end Of the WIRE"
Mr.. Rushcroft was giving Hamlet's
address to the players, in the. tap
room when Barnes came downstairs
at nine o'clock.