Middletown transcript., 1922-12-30
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Beasley' s
C,hristr1las
+ Party
By
BOOTH HARRINGTON
Vi-Ccntinued.
BOOTH HARRINGTON
SS@S@&@SAsN
Copyright BY Harper 4 Brothers Nv


Copyright BY Harper Brothers nv
vI-continued.
-
From the Despatch, hay?" MI
feck gave me greeting, as he wount
knit comforter about his neck
That's good. We'd most give you up
This here's Mr.. Grist, and Mr.. Henr,
L. Cullop. and Mr.. Gus Schulmeyer-
three men that feel the same wa,
about Dave Beasley that l do. THAI
other young feller," he waved q nit
tened hand to the fourth man-"he's
from the Journal. Likely you're ac
Quainted"
The young man from the Journa
was unk nowf to me; moreover, was
Tar from overjoyed at his presence in
the group.
I've got you newspaper men here, "
continued Mr.. Peck, because I'm
goin to show you somepn' about
Dave Beasley that'll open good many
folks eyes when it's in print"
swell, what is it?" l asked, rather
sharply.
Jest hold your horses a little Bit"
he returned. "Grlst and me knows.
and so do Mr.. Cullop and Mr.. Schul-
meyer. And I'm goin' to take them
ana you two reporters to look at it.
All ready? Then come on"
He threw open the door, stopped
to the gust that took him by the
throat. and led the way out into the
storm.
"What is he up tor" gdsped to the
Journal man as we followed In a
struggling line.
don't know any more than YOU
do" he returned. "He thinks he's
got something that'n queer Beasley.
Peck's an old fool, but it's lust pos
sibie he's got hold of something. Near
~ everybody has one thing, at least,
that they don't want found out. 1t
may be good story. Lord, what
night I"
l pushed ahead to the leaders side.
See here, Mr. Peck" l began, but
he cut me Off.
you listen to me, young man! I'm
givin' you some news for your paper,
ana I'm gtttin' at it my own way, but
I'll git at it, don't you worryl I'm
goin' to let some folks around here
know what kind of q Teller Dave
Beasley really is; yes, and I'm
goin' to show George Dowden he can't
laugh at mel"
You're going to show Mr.. Dowden?"
1 said. "You mean you're going to
take him along with us on this expe
dition, too?'
Take him!" Mr.. Peck emitted an
ncrid bark of laughter. 81 guess he's
at Beasley's, all right"
"No, he isn't; he's at home-at Mrs.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. cards"
"Whatr
Il hanpen- to know that he'll be
there oil evening"
MIR. Peck smote P,s palms together.
"Grist" he called, over his shoulder
ana his colleague struggled forward.
Listen 10 this: even Dowden amt at
Beasley's. Amt the Lord workin' fer
us tonight?"
why don't you take Dowden with
You" I urged, "if there's anything YOU
want TO show him?'
by George, l l." shouted Peck
"Tve got him where the hairs short
now!"
"That's right" said Grist.
'Gentlemen''-Peck turned TO the
others" when we git to Mrs. Apperth-
waite's, jest stop outside along the |
fence minute. l reckon we'll pick
UP, redrult."
SEiNering, we took up our way |
again In sinele.ale. stumbling through
drifts that had deepened incredibly |
within the hour. The wind was !
straight against us, and so stingingly
sharp and so laden with the driving
snow that when we reached Mrs. Ap-
perfhwaite's gate (Which we ap-
preached from the north, not passing |
Beasley'$) my eyes were so full of I
smarting tears / could see only
blurred planes of light dancing vague
ly in the darkness, instead of brightly
lighted windows.
snow" said PECK, painting and
turning his back to the wind "the
rest of you gentlemen wait out here.
You two newspaper men, you come
with me. |"
He opened the gates and went in
the Journal reporter and I follow.
Ing-ail three of us wiping our half
blinded eyes. When we reached the
shelter Of the front porch, l took the
key fror my pocket and opened the
door.
Il live here" I explained to Mr..
Peck.
"All right" he said. "Jest step
IN and tell George Dowden that Sim
Peek's out here and wants to see him
at the door minute. Be quick"
went into the library. and there
sat Dowden contemplatively playing
bridge with two of the elderly ladies'
and Miss Apperthwaite. The last
mentioned person quite took my
brpath away.
IN honor Of the Christmas eve II
supposedly she wore an evening dress
of black lace, and the only word for
whht she looked has suffered such
misuse that one hesitates over it: 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; a certain melancholy. faint
but detectable, like breath on mir
ror. ! had attributed it to Jean VAL
Jean, though perhaps tonight 1t might
nave been due merely to bridge. T.
"Nhaf is IL q" asked Dowdan urhan |