The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1922-12-29
srNoPsIs

PART I.--Newcomer in O small town,
young newspaper man, who tells the
actions Of a man who. from the window
OF n fine house, apparently has converse
with invisible personages. particularly
mentioning one "Simpledoria." The youth
goes to his boarding house, the home OF
MRS, Apperthwaite. next door to the scene
OF the strange proceedings, bewildered.
PART n.-Next morning he discovers
bis strange neighbor is the Hon. David
s iy Tsss 81 a Rs p ss
ntEhts experience. he is markedly inter-
rslnted by p fellow boarder. q Mr.. George
1pwden, Later, with Miss Apperthwalte.
iasinarY Jumping contest contest between p sess
Icy and "Bill Hammersley," Miss
Apperthwaite appears deeply concerned.
there apparently being no possible ex-
PLANTATION OF the strange proceedings.
PART III.-The reporter learns that
Beasley and Miss Apperthwaite had at
yoang lady had broken the engagement
because of Beasley's lack of imagina-
tioh.''-
doria" and "Bul Hammersley" is ex-
plained by Mr.. Dowden Beasley Is car
ing for a small boy, Hamilton Swift,
Junior. helpless invalid bodily though
more than ordinarily bright mentally, the
',Sfmpledoria" and "Blll Hammersley"
are creatures OF Beasley's and the small
boys imagination, Beasley humoring the
little sufferer by the play acting"
PART v.-The reporter becomes ac-
Qpainted with David Beasley and is in
vfted to his home, whore he meets Hamil-
ton Swift. Junior, and his circle OF "In-
yt1bies." which Beasley and George Dow
den have made very real to the child.
In honor OF the Christmas eve Il
supposedly she wore an evening dress
of black lace, and the only word for
what she looked has suffered such
misuse that one hesItates over 1t: yet
that Is what she was-regal--and no
less! There was sort of splendor
about her. 1t detracted nothing from
this that her expression was little
sad: something not uncommon with
her lately; certain melancholy, faint
but detachable, like breath on mir
ror. had attributed it to Jean VAL
jean, though perhaps tonight 1t might
have been due merely to bridge.
what is it?" asked Dowden, when,
after an apology for disturbing the
game, l had drawn him out IN the
hall.
motioned toward the front door.
"Simeon Peck. He thinks he's got
something on Mr.. Beasley. He's wait
ing to see you"
Dowden uttered sharp, half-cO-
herent exclamation and stepped quick
y to the door. "Peckw he said, as he
5erked 1t open.
-oh, I'm herer declared that gen.
tieman. stepping into view. "Tve
GENE around to let you know that
Won couldh't laugh like a horse at me
no more. George Dowdeni So you
weren't invited, either"
~InyitedT" said Dowden. Invited
wheref"
royer to the ball your friend Is
e4sin'."
"What friendr
Dave Beasiey. SO you amt quite
good enough to dance with hts high
society friends! I"
"What are you talking about1"
D0wden demanded, impatiently.
Il reckon you won't be quite so
strong fer Beasley." responded Peck,
with vindictiye little giggle. "when
YOU find he can use. you In his business,
hut when 1t comes to entertainin'-oh
no, you amt quite the boyi"
sid appreciate your explaining"
said Dowden. "ft's kind of cold
standing here"
Peck laughed shrilly. "Then I
reckon you better git your hat and
coat and come along. Can't do US no
harm, and might be an eye-opening
fer you. Grist and Gus Schulmeyer
and Hank Cullop's waitin' out yonder
at the gate. We BEN havin' kind of a
consultation at my house over somep'n'
Grist seen at Beasley's a little earlier
in the evening.
s'What did Grist see?"
"Cabsl Cabs drlvin, up to Beas-
le3's house-a whole lot of 'em. Grist
was down the street piece, and 1t