Evening star., 1936-08-14
Fl
H&;o6fJoaN| s
ey JOSEPH NccoRD

going good First, Claire had to
barge in. Now, her brother .. or
whatever he was.
If it hadn't been for those two he
would have felt that he was getting
somewhere with Joan.
She had confessed a fear that her
father and DR.. John. the fat one, were
In cahoots over something. Now, 1t
developed that CASTOR was friend
OF the Elledges. They had come to
Layland Cottage on his recemmenda-
ton. And CASTOR had turned up after
an absence of several seasons. So had
I. Joan.
That was the thing that hurt, sort
of.
Kendall the dumb OK had
made funny crack--about Joan and
CASTOR picking the same time for
visit. And Joans father didn't like
the young man couldn't f1nd out
what he was doing" Then the one
Claire pulled about her brother
having had crush" on Joan. And
Joan had given an impression that
she and CASTOR were almost strangers.
Then turned right around and made
date with him for a ride.
Try and figure that one.
And now, she had said right out
of clear sky J.. that she wouldn't
ask CASTOR about the Elledges. Then
gone into the house without another
word. Deeds wondered If he should
feel encouraged. Was it another way
of telling him that CASTOR meant
nothing to her? But she needn't have
acted peeved about it Or was she
peeved? If he didn't care so
Heck!
The sound of steps caused him to
turn his head. in the vague hope that
Joan was returning
1t proved to be young Middleton
Beckham. He paused and regarded
Deeds speculatively.
Hello there" the latter greeted.
Hello"
Middleton perched himself in a
precarious position on the porch rail-
ing and exhibited his teeth in a half
i hearted smile
How are you this fine day?" Deeds
experimental. It was his first en-
counter with the boy. And he was
a funny-looking little runt, with those
skinny arms and legs.
I'm all right"
What do you do to anuse yourself
down here? don't believe there are
any other kids around, are there?"
| mo. I just fool around 60
swimmin' with my dad every morning.
They won't let me go in alone"
Like the water?"
Sure" Faint scorn in Middleton's
voice.
Let me know any time your
father can't go in with you. I'll be
glad to take you"
"All right"
Deeds felt that he was not making
much progress.
What else do you do :. by your
self?"
60 to moving pictures" was the
prompt reply.
What do you like best?"
westerns. There's a picture Of
Tom Mix every week up at the Beach.
It's this afternoon"
Good old Tom. I used to be q fan
Of his. Going to see him?"
Nope. Spent my allowance" Mid
dleton advised candidly.
Deeds grinned sympathetically, but
he was thinking over a half formed
plan. This might be a good op-
portunity to put it into execution. It
involved an errand to NAPLES and he
preferred to remain at the cottage
this afternoon.
Il was just wondering :" he be-
gan cautiously. I've a letter that I'd
| like very much to get in the mail to-
day. I haven't written it yet, but it
wouldn't take over 10 minutes. If
you felt like taking a walk up to the
post office ). we might fix it up for
you to see Tom. Would your folks
mind?"
Il won't ask EN-" Middleton lent
himself wholeheartedly to the plan.
"They never bother much where I 60
in the afternoons just as long as
get back in time to wash. You
know"
Sure. That's fine. I'll go up and
Scr1bble that note for you. Do you
want to stay here, or come along with
me?"
Maybe I'd better go with you"
Middleton amused himself with a
magazine while Deeds sat at his table
sive pretty well framed in his mind.
1t might be a fool stunt, but it
wouldn't hurt anything to try it.
Whatever the answer was, he'd feel
more satisfied. And it might be Of
some use to Joan.
you won't forget to mail it, sup
pose?" he suggested to his messenger,
as he sealed the envelope with a
thumb of his fist.
Course not" Middleton tossed
aside his reading with a weary gesture.
Got it done?"
Done. Listen what do they
call you for short?"
"The kids at school call me Mid"
"All right. Mid. Here's the dope.
want this letter tc go by airmail >. {.
it might save some time. I've marked
it that way. so don't forget to ask for
an air stamp. Here's a half-dollar.
Okay?"
Don't you want any change back?"
mot this time"
"Gosh!" Middleton wriggled In an
attempt to express himself suitably.
"It only costs is cents to get in :"
"Fair enough. Go again next week"
"Sure. Thanksl"
Deeds fingered at his window until
he saw the small form of the min
ister's son 60 scooting up the beach,
taking the shortest route to Waples.
II hope the old bozo's in town." he
muttered to himself.