The Coolidge examiner., 1937-01-07

could see Bessie relax little.
Yes. Mr.. O'Brien," she faltered.
well, now," Patrick said in
wheedling tone, tell me your story
in your own way. Take all the
time you want Don't be fright
ened. 1 feel quite certain nothing's
going to happen to you, Bessie. l
see you think you can tell me
something that will help me in this
matter. 1 hope you can assist me,
for Bessie, I need help. 1t is
strange" he went on. Patrick
was rambling, but deliberately
rambling. l saw that he was try
ing to put Bessie at her ease
how important little things are
sometimes in matters of this kind
how unimportant big things. Your
story as a whole may not mean
anything. And yet there may be
one Tiny fact that will point to 9TH
ers and they will point to still 9TH
ers, and before we know it-bingo
the whole mystery is solved. So
Bessie, as I said, tell your story
in your own way, but don't leave
out anything Don't leave out things
that you think are unimportant."
By the time Patrick had finished
this address. Bessie was, 1 could
see, little reassured. She was
ready to talk.
"Yes, Mr. O'Brien," she agreed
in faint voice. You see. Mr..
! O'Brien, what I have to tell you
and Mrs. Avery happened long
time ago-oh in the spring. 1t was
Decoration day. 1 didn't say any,
thing about it because, happen
ing so far back, it didn't seem to
me that it had anything to do with
what happened to Doctor Blaikie.
But got to thinking about it nights
and worried me- l couldn't sleep
Doctor Geary gave me some medi-
cine, but it didn't help any. I've
got to tell somebody! I've got to!
I've got to-" her voice ended on
wall, but it had grown shriller.
Sarah reached out and took her
hand; she held it the rest of this
session.
Patrick spoke at once, There!
There! There!" He soothed Bes-
sic exactly as though she were
teething baby. That's all right.
It's all gone now. You're going to
tell us what's on your mind and to-
night you'll sleep like top. Doc
tor Joe won't have to give you
anything tonight.
AS though this inspirited her,
Bessie started her narrative, fair
ly composed too. ION Decoration
day / went with Big Hattie in her
car to the cemetery in Marsh
bank. She had some flowers to put
on her mothers grave. About four,
we stopped at the Cutter house.
Big Hattie wanted to see Jennie
Snow for moment-that Mrs.
Cutters maid. When she got there
| she found that her cousin was call
| ing on Jennie. She stopped to
talk with her. l couldn't stay, be-
cause Sarah and l were going to
the early movies, so l started to
walk home. Instead of going by
the road 1 cut across lots because
it saved time. Well, as l came
through Mr.. Days woods towards
Locust Lane 1 heard voices-loud
voices. 1 listened and 1 recognized
the voices right off. They were
Doctor Blaikie and Walter Tread
way. Well, 1 didn't know what to
do. / didn't want to listen to white
folks fighting and 1 didn't want to
step out onto the road SOS they'd
know I was there and didn't want
to go back. So 1 stopped jess where
1 was and waited for them to go
by"
They were walking then" Pat
rick put in. Had they stopped?"
Yes, walking and talking at
first" Bessie answered Then they
stopped where they was. But they
kept right on talking. Their voices
was pretty loud. 1 couldn't help
hearing every word they said"
"One moment Bessie" Patrick
interrupted again, "you say it was
Doctor Blaikie and Walter Tread
way. Are you sure?"
Il saw them," Bessie said with
finality. They passed right by me.
They didn't see me. They was
looking at each other. But I saw
them plain as could be-"
You're surel" Patrick said qui-
etly.
I'm sure" Bessie replied.
GO on" Patrick ordered.
well, l think they was talking
about Miss Molly" Bessie went
on. They didn't mention Miss Mol
ly'S name but it couldn't have been
anybody else-from what they said.
AS l stopped, MIR. Treadway was
speaking. He said, You'll never
marry her. By God, you'll never
marry her!' Doctor Blaikie says,
says he, And how are you going to
prevent it? You know what l can
do And Mr.. Treadway says, says
he, 1 don't know how I'm going to
prevent it. All know is that am
going to prevent tiff l have to kill
you, Ace Blaikier Doctor Blaikie