The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1920-06-19
MYSTIC
THIRTEEN
By GENEvIEvE uLMAR
copsrisAa. 1870. Western Newspaper Union

tcopsrisAa. 1890. Western Newspaper Un.oni
= AltQp Beardslee had arisen to nm
uncomfortable and innuspiclOus morn.
Ing In the first place he had been
routed out Of bed at O'Clock and
called to the telephone. where his
broker Informed him that Consolidated
Central had closed the day before on
steep decline and that tkey would call
fer margins by noon II the market
opctrd "groggy."
y with my marriage with Laura
Pearson announced for only fifteen
days from now. the prospect looks de.
cidedly blue" ruminn1l Beartklee
drearily. "Why did ever get into
this juggling stock gamer"
His eyes hllnked and he tried to
bafie an annoying superstitious lnfu.
ence as his glance swept calendar
hanging on the wall.
Friday and the thirteenth" he
muttered deflantly. AS don't he
lieve in signs or Omcns-the mischief! !"
Stepping on a truant collar button
Beardslee joggled, his elbow came up
against the mirrored front Of his Shav-
ing cabinet and In dlsmay he drew
back from q shower of glass.
~ won't get ratified" he insisted
doughtily. but he left the house half
an hour later in wretched state Of
nervousness. His objective point was
the once Of friend who might be In.
elined to assist him.
A black cat was crossing the rond.
"rll beat the warning stuff" de
clared Beardslee. Come on, kitty.
Good for y0u-squarely in front Of me
Now then, Fate. do your worst !"
Three squares further on the mock
heroic mood Of our mentally disturbed
hero came to climax. A derislve ex-
preston crossed his face. He walked
squarely under ladder set against .
building front, q painter aloft.
ali. there!"
Too late Beardsiee caught the warn.
ing. The painter Hloft had dropped
his brush. Full Of paint 1t landed on
Beartislees shoulder. made a straight
downward dip and slid down one side
Of him clear to his feet, leaving q
smooth, even strip Of white the en-
tire length Of his body. Beardslee
disdalned the fulsOme apologies Of the
knight Of the paint pot and turned
into a little shop bearing the sign.
~Cleanlng. Repairing 4 Dyeing Done
Here"
"I'm IN q hurry" he announced to
an old man In charge. How soon can
you put this suit in. presentabls
shaper
.Half an hour" came the reply,
after some mental calculation.
"Gs to. it!'' and Beardslee practical
~ dlerubed 70 far as HIS outer gar.
msnte were concerned and wrapped
himsA,f In 4. blanket appOrtioned him,
and snuggled down In chair glOoinily.
He half doxesl. with closed eyes. quick
ly opsned, however, as there was
flash and then the sound Of an explo-
sion. The Interior Of the place was
filled with smoke and flames and Its
proprietor. whose operations had
somehow ignited the cleaning mate
rial he had been using, was making
for the street. Bearlslee sprang up.
rushed thither himself and in his half
dressed condition darted into the hall
way Of an adjoining Office building.
The street became crowded as the
are alarm was sounded. Beartlslee
gave up his clothes rs lost. He turned
into an ONCE where young man sat
porting over some writing. He stared
askance at the InlIan-IIke habit OF the
Intruder.
"What's the address hereT asked
Bearislee Of the clerk.
"Elston building"
"What room number7"
'Thirteen."
cts the iimit!" muttered Boards.
lee, but he completed the message.
Then he sat down to wait. In the
course Of all hour the envoy from his
landlaLy arrived. Benrdslee resumed
his way to his originally conceived
destination, the Office Of the friend
who might lie inclined to help him out
financially.
sI.eft for New York on the Limited
an hour ago." was the depressing In
formation he received.
Beardslee shrugged his shoulders
resignedly. The fates were certainly
es:.inst him. He proceeded on his
way. determining what he would do;
order his broker to close up his deals,
stand the loss, call upon Laurc, s,ig-
gest a postponement Of the wedding
until he got on his feet again. and
leave speculatIOn alone for the future.
As he neared the office Of his broker the
latter ran up against him on the street.
"oh. I say; just the man!'' he spoke
Nexuberantly. I'm bound for the ex.
change. but nj 60 back with you and
settle up."
A"settle up1" replied BeardTlee, rue
full,. .If there's deficit you'll have
to give me day or two to mike
good"