Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Curiously enough, too, his careless method of expression in no way disguised the natural refinement of his voice. Buck shook his head, and his eyes were cold. "Don't guess there's need of charity among friends, Beasley." Beasley Melford laughed. It was not a pleasant laugh. "Guess it makes him feel good dopin' out stuff to us same as if we was bums," he said harshly.
Later, when the shadows stole through the forest on the cool wind, and the camp-fire glowed comfortably, Dale broached the subject that possessed him. "An' so you're working for Beasley?" he queried, by way of starting conversation. "We was," drawled John. "But to-day, bein' the end of our month, we got our pay an' quit. Beasley sure was sore." "Why'd you knock off?"
Beasley had begun to speak, and his voice, loud and clear, sounded over the wind. "Come right in, Colonel!" he said. "I'd have sent a carriage for you if you hadn't telephoned me this afternoon that your rheumatism was so bad you didn't expect to be able to come. I'm glad you're well again. Yes, they're all here, and the ladies are getting up a quadrille in the sitting-room."
Too bad about old Al," replied Dale. "Sure is. He's done for. An' I'm sorry though Al's never been square " "Beasley," interrupted Dale, quickly, "you can't say that to me. Al Auchincloss always was the whitest an' squarest man in this sheep country." Beasley gave Dale a fleeting, dark glance. "Dale, what you think ain't goin' to influence feelin' on this range," returned Beasley, deliberately.
When they get 'em, if they are good jobs, they go to live where the accommodations are better. I do the best I can for 'em; but I only accommodate poor girls." "And I think you really must do a great deal of good, in your way, Mrs. Beasley," Nan declared. "Did these two we speak of chance to stay with you until now?" "I was thinkin'," said Mrs. Beasley. "I know, now, the ones you mean.
"Beasley's strong around Pine, an' old Al's weakenin'. Beasley will git the property, girl or no girl," said John. "Things don't always turn out as they look. But no matter about that. The girl deal is what riled me.... She's to arrive at Magdalena on the sixteenth, an' take stage for Snowdrop.... Now what to do? If she travels on that stage I'll be on it, you bet.
It wasn't so big or so well stocked when Al Auchincloss beat me out of it. I reckon I'll allow for thet. I've papers, an' old Jose for witness. An' I calculate you'll pay me eighty thousand dollars, or else I'll take over the ranch." Beasley spoke in an ordinary, matter-of-fact tone that certainly seemed sincere, and his manner was blunt, but perfectly natural. "Mr.
Beasley shot a swift glance round at the interested faces of the men standing by. "Oh, guess I can do it," he said, his eyes twinkling. "Sure I can do it. Say, you fellers ain't lightin' out?" He winked again. This time it was deliberately at Buck. "They're winter stores," said Buck shortly. Then, as Beasley laughed right out, and he became aware of a general smile at his expense, he grew hot.
How curious that is!" "Why?" asked Miss Apperthwaite. "It seems too big for one man," I answered; "and I've always had the impression Mr. Beasley was a bachelor." "Yes," she said, rather slowly, "he is." "But of course he doesn't live there all alone," I supposed, aloud, "probably he has " "No. There's no one else except a couple of colored servants." "What a crime!" I exclaimed.
"I was speakin' to the feller that drives the candy cart," continued Bailey, "and I asked him if he'd run acrost anybody, durin' his trips 'round the country, who'd be likely to hire out for a housekeeper. He thought a spell and then named over some. Among 'em was this Beasley one.
Word Of The Day