Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-06-19


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 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 year she
comes for 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-five."
He certainly has a fanciful streak
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 trifie 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 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 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 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 on whom l Numbered a
few moments ago, Mr.. O'Dowd. She
must have been startled. Pray con-
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.
"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 a 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
| of her. She is Miss Cameron of New
Orleans, 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 when the
coroner is to hold his inquests?"
Nothing definite. He may wait q
week." said Barnes.
81 suppose you'll stick around until
it's over" ventured O'Dowd. Barnes
thought he detected a slight harshness
in his voice.
81 have quite made up my mind tc
stay until the mystery is entirely
cleared up" he said. 1.-THE case is sc
interesting that don't want to miss o
| shred of it."
II don't blame ye," said o'Dowt
heartily. ard like nothing better me
self than to mix up in it. The mex
time you plan to pay us visit, tele
phone in advance. may be able tt
persuade my host that you're de
cent, law-abiding, educated gentleman
and he'll consent to receive you a
Green Fancy. Good day to ye," ant
he shook hands with the departin,
trespasser.
"Takin a walk?" was the landlord
greeting as Barnes mounted the taverl
steps at dusk.
Going over the grounds of las
nights affair."" responded Barnes
pausing
AS he entered the door he wa
acutely aware of al intense stare lev
eled at him from behind by the land
lord of Harris Tavern. Half way III
the stairway he stopped short an
! with difficulty repressed the exclama
, ton that rose to his lips.
He had recalled significant inc
: dent Of the night before. Almost i'm
mediately after the departure of Roo
, | and Paul from the Tavern Putnar