The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1921-01-06
CHAPTER vli-continued.


her, noting his troubled appearance.
Nobody sick, or anything?"
"Yes. there Is something wrong"
aid Harris. trying vainly TO conceal
the bitterness in his voice. "Beulah's
| left u.s."
"Who, Beulah? can hardly be-
| lieve that. Mr.. Harris. II was only
last night was talking with her"
well. she's gone. Left through the
night. We-well, | tell you, George
we had little disagreement. but I'd
! no notion she'd take is so much TO
heart. OF course You know about the
trouble with Jim yesterday. Taking
everything together-there won't be
no plowing today" Harris had said
more than he meant: he could feel the
color mounting into his hair, and the
had English of his last words betrayed
a subtle recklessness rather than care
lessness of speech.
"Don't you believe n word OF &C."
said George. 81 know Jim. and know
Beulah. and II anybody else limited
what you've said you'd want To use
that rifle on them. Like enough Beu-
labs staying somewhere around the
nelghbOrhOod, and she'll be back when
she has time TO think II over"
THAT proves you don't know Beu-
lah," said Allan. "As for Jim, | was
never able TO get below that smile.
and | saw more of him than YOU did,
George"
well. hope you find a way out"
said George sincerely. at would have
been like her to come over to our
place, bur she isn't there. Maybe you'Il
find her ut Morrison's."
That's possible said Harris.
We'll go over there, anyway"
But Morrisons knew no more Of
BeuIahs whereabouts than did George.
and inquiry al other homes In the
neighborhoOd was equally futile Har-
rts shrank from carrying his search
into the town, as he dreaded the pub
lefty that would he attached 10 t..
But as the day wore on aud the search
continued fruitless he finally found
himself at Plainvilic. If Beulah and
/
terrain minister would be likely to
know something of the matter, and
Rev. Andrew Guthrie was man of
sense and discernment.
Mr.. Guthrie received his guest cOrdi-
ally, albeit with some wonderment as
to which member of the family might
be sick, but deicacy forbade direct
question. Now. IN agricultural COM
munities II IS something OF an Offense
TO approach any matter of Importance
by frontal attack. There must be the
due amount of verbal skirmshing, re-
connOitering and outtlanking before
the main purpose is revealed. Conse-
quently Harris, for all his torture of
suspense, spent some minutes I'm dis
cussion OF the weather, the crops. and
the prospect Of lubor shortage in
harvest.
They're all well ut home, | hopcY
said Mr.. Guthrie at length. feeling
that the custom Of the community had
been sufficiently honored.
"Yes, all that's there" said Harris.
"All that's there? didn't know any
Of your folks were away. Perhaps
Mrs Harris is down EastI I'm sure
summer amid the orchards of her old
home would be n delight to her and,
Of course. Mr.. Harris, YOU are able TO
crafty yourself In these little matters
now"
Harris received these remarks with
a mixture Of feelings. The minister's
reference 10 his financial standing car
ried with IL a certain qualification, but
IL cOnsorted poorly with his recent
conversations with his wife and with
his present mission.
"And Beulah." continued the minis
ter. conscious that his first shot had
gone wild. "She's Il fine young woman
now. see her In church occasionally.
In fact, was speaking with Mrs. Bur
ton, the choir leader. a day or so ago,
and Beulah's name was mentioned be-
tween MS"
at was about Beulah ] came TO see
YOU" said Harris. with averted eyes.
Then In few words lie gave his YER
sion OF what ne knew and what he
suspected.
81 fear can add nothing to your
information" snId MIR. Guthrie. .They
haven't been here, and, as you say, II
Beulah contemplated marriage, j think
she would have called OF me. Travers.
too, l knew a little, and thought him
a decent chap. But we must find the
girl and talk this over quietly with her.
II there any place in town she would
be likely to go to? What about Mrs.
Goodies boarding house? ! Will just
call up on the telephone. can make
inquiry without the necessity of any
explanations"
Inquiry at the house OF Mrs. Goode
brought q strong ray OF light out OF
the darkness. Beulah had been there
during the morning, and had explained
TINT she was leaving on the west-bound
train, which even now was drumming
at the station. On learning this
out word Harris sprang into the bug