Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-03-12
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edre of politics. had build much
ON the revulsion of feeling III A''es''''
an the reawakened loyalty to fa'lei
f.eclair. He had ridden through the
night seeking names for the petitioh'
he had heard the people voice laiiieh'9
n sca swear TO obey the good priest ana
.So,,ov his advice. He had peeh sure
that only the surly ana reoei"ou'
would stand behind Blais at the po''s'
tta knew that there were not enough
NJ these to nominate the deinagoSue'
~. had. even INDUCED the fond nope
that out OF Cufford's sagacity 'he
a6air of Pere Leclair had been se'tieu'
and that the priest would De present
fhis day as mediator between the rae
x,on. He had been tempted to rap
upon the door of the stone mouse ."e
evening before, when he passeo 'la'
.s.v and ask for news-perhaps snake
aha hand of the little priest CLIFFORD
hsA been so confident; the bishop was
~.~..,r,v n good man, and he would
understand this humble petition trom
his loyal people of the north' Alurlch'
while he had ridden the poroer' nau
allowed his optimism to Whisper all
this comfort in his ear
INT when he saw what sort OF men
ware sitting into Attegat every ie"
minutes he realized that his optimism
had taken refuge in night Oh ''e
hack OF the dove Of peace!
In the long street he found many
0f the honest citizens OF the district
Y --hahitant farmers with the fuzzy
wrav clothes of homespun, bateau-men
with gaudy jackets of wool, choppers
with belted waists and checkered
shirts, but sprinkled among them were
the sinister strangers. Such men had
altered through the groups OF citl-
zens when the fire had destroyed the
; biz school: Aldrich, with bitter appre'
hension, feared that on this day they
had brought firebrands of another ma
lure with which to put tile torch to
the tinder of Acadian temperament.
As he stood studying the moving
eroups one of the strangers lounged
mn and stopped beside him. The man
nave Aldrich a disquieting sidelons
stara from the corners of his eyes
and spoke through the corner OF his
mouth.
~ a<yVhere is vetal Beaulieu?"
The Hficer checked an impulse to
k>turn a hot word, and replied, stifiiy:
n would like to find out where he
= myself. 1 have been hunting for
him for some weeks"
$50 I have heard. But where did
~, leave him-that is to say. what
WAS left of him.
ASee here, my. man, whoever you
may be, tell yd / have been trying
n and Vetal Btaulieu! His place Is
lacked. 1t has been locked for some
vweeks. have been there severa!
times. 1 was there for the last tinIc
day before yesterday. The door has
< not been opened since l was there
fortnight or more ago. There!
have told you what I know. Suppose
< ven return the compliment. Why dc
xou come 70 me asking about Vetal
BeAulieu?'
sBecause I believe in asking the mar
vho knows" The fellow leered al
xldrich and swung away.
The air and the tones were full o
insult. Aldrich stared after his ques
Homer wrathfully. Another mar
strolled up and plucked him by thu
chow
ssWhere is Vetal Beaulieu?" h,
asked. in a whisper.
tconfound your impudence! blaze'
ne of71cer. How should know wher'
ueaulieu is?"
you ought to know. The talk wa
NJ made in the open. The border kney
4. 1T was either you or him! An
you seem to be healthy"
This man went on into the crow
n bef0re Aldrich could stop him.
While ne was still muttering his r
. n &>lntmsnt a third stranger accoste
him. bending his face so close that /
pofFsd fumes OF liquor into the of
osr'n nostrils.
<'yVhere Is vetal Beaulieu?"
- Allrich caught the man by his COZ
1yhat do you mean?"
~ owed him money that he didn
ut. II knew where you left hi
j z spsnd that money in flowers ar
lscsrats the place"