Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-03-03


The man was dogged, confused III
definite. In vain did the otilcer pro-
test that his business with BeauIleu
was honest, had nothing to do Win
The customs, concerned matter IN
which Vetal was interested. Inc lei
low stammered evasions ana became
auerulously angry when Aldrich trleu
IN min him down. To only one decIara'
tion did he stick stubbornly; Ne'd'
Reaulieu would not come to Monarda
clearing that night.
So Aldrich. muttering some uncom'
olinentary remarks, touched his morse
with the spurs and gave vent TO ms
impatience by galloping away Inc
ominous stiffness OF that deserted
house had got onto his nerves.
He rode back toward the east along
the road by which the man had ar
rived. He rode aimlessly, hoping tilat
he would fall upon some intornation
which would lead him to the man ne
wanted. His desire TO meet Beaulieu
and settle the matters between them
had been whetted by delays; clrcun'
stances and difficulties had not mooer'
ated his determination.
Az least. he pondered he could seek
shelter somewhere along the road' ana
he could return TO Monarda in the
morning. .---,
For some miles the forest hemmed
+hs highway. There were no clearings
.nd no houses. Further on, he passed
through little settlement, but the
houses were small and mean and prom
,sed only wretched lodgings. lie had
come to Monarda by one ROAD from
.hs north: he decided to try another
thoroughfare. for it was plain that ne
..a missed Beaulieu's trail when he
xas given over asking questions.
The 70 est skirted this road also and
he wen. on slowly, favoring MS morse
The moon, pared to gibbous three
<ourths, rose at last. He put his morse
20 the trot. 1t seemed silly quest, this
search for Vetal Beaulieu in the middle
of ths night, when undoubtedly Vetai
was snoring in some farmhouse nc
decided to hurry on and seek lodgihs
~ the first house that seemed re-
spectacle.
rh. moonlight makes odd shadows
in a woodland road.
ue stared ahead of him at one turn
and was certain that he had seen Nv
ing objects He peered more CLOSELY
.rd was sure that the objects moved
,r. n.ssed into the woods at one side
of the highway, and the glimpse II.
secured convinced him that he mao
seen two men on horseback IL 'neS
we're men they had retired from th'
road at sight Of him.
The shifty young man at Moilarud
had not satisfied Aldrich III regdru u
Reaulieu's movements. Men had passeo
the place while he had waited Tor thf
return of the publican. Perhaps IL
soma manner Beaulieu had learned
that an unwelcon.e caller was waiting
hafore the barred door 1t would d.
like Beaulieu TO shirk an lnterNle"
che nature of which he suspected.
those we're horsemen yonder they hd'
displayed stealth. They were not I'M
usual belated wayfarers of the coun
srv.side proceeding on legitimate pusi
mess. These reflections and others hur
x;.d through the mind of the anXiou
officer. Beaulieu at Monarda' VIII
open doors and surrounded by HI
friends. might not be an easy mai
to approach fol such an interview d
A,drich reouiied of him. II that wer
p.aul,sn coming on horseback, he ha
belieyed that the return or the pucF
hoard would send away disappolnte
suitor. Yes, that would be ike bea'
1,eu. the officer decided. That mode G
,rocedure suited the pattern or IN
man. Aldrich dauntlessly proposed I
himself 10 proceed on the supposltlo
.hat This midnight skulker was Bea'
,,.u. That was good place TO NEE
+. man on the matter for which /
n.d come-out under the stars, taC
a. ,a,, in the open: that was the plaC
for mans talk! He would be Vet
T2eaulieu, the father, tnere' Hlstedu
vetal Beaulieu. tA usurer, the smu
s,er. the landlord of Beaulieus Flac'
Aldrich halted his horse.
"Ho. M'ser Beaulleu!" he shoute
~It that is you, sir. have pusihe
with you!" -.
He listened while his voice ecno'
-.ors ,he trees. He got no answ'
III Ii important. sir. l have thih
to ten you."
Hs waited few moments ana IN
..roos on. He had certainly seen IN
nm horsebacKl He kept on unth
came 10 the pace where he had sc
them turn from the road. The mo'
,,sht showed the fresh tracks
horses hoofs. There was no iane
which they could have made a de'o
They must be near at hand In
ea..rness TO tulfill his mission Aior'
:. ala not pause to weigh consequence
N .Arser Beaulieu! 1 have come
frssud,y spirit! tell you freely "
Iam. l ann Norman Aldrieh'
Tbs men were near at hand. WI
hs waited for u reply he heard
whicker of a horse.
~If 1 have made a mistakeT-h
a. uot Mser Beaulieu, plcase tel
. -.,..-..u will go on about