Part 20 (1/2)

George was conscious of slight amus.e.m.e.nt. The affair had its humorous side, and, though he was ready to interfere if the women were roughly handled, he did not think they ran any serious risk. Beamish looked capable of dealing with the situation.

”You don't require to b.u.t.t in, boys,” he said. ”Leave me to talk to these ladies; I guess their intentions are good.” He bowed to Mrs.

Nelson. ”You can go on, ma'am.”

”I've only this to say--you must close your bar right now!”

”Suppose I'm not willing? It will mean a big loss to me.”

”That,” answered Mrs. Nelson firmly, ”doesn't count; the bigger the loss, the better. You will stop the sale of drink until to-morrow, or take the consequences.”

Another woman, who looked careworn and haggard, and was shabbily dressed, stood forward.

”We and the children have borne enough!” she broke out. ”We have to save the cord-wood in the bitter cold; we have to send the kiddies out in old, thin clothes, while the money that would make home worth living in goes into your register. Where are the boys--our husbands and sons--who once held steady jobs and did good work?” She raised an accusing hand, with despair in her pinched face. ”Oh! I needn't tell you--they're rebranding farmers' calves or hiding from the police!

Don't you know of one who walked to his death through the big trestle, dazed with liquor? For these things the men who tempted them will have to answer!”

”True, but not quite to the point,” Mrs. Nelson interposed. ”We have found remonstrance useless; the time for words has pa.s.sed. This fellow has had his warning; we're waiting for him to comply with it.”

There was an uproar outside from the crowd that was struggling to get in and demanding to be told what was going on; but Beamish made a sign of resignation.

”It looks as if I couldn't refuse you; and anyway it wouldn't be polite.” He turned to his customers.

”Boys, it's not my fault, but you'll get no more drinks to-day. For all that, I must make a point of asking you to treat these ladies with respect.”

”Smart,” Grant remarked to George. ”He has handled the thing right.

This means trouble for Hardie.”

Then Beamish once more addressed the intruders.

”Now that I've given in, has it struck you that there isn't much use in closing my place if you leave the Queen's open?”

”We'll shut them both!” Mrs. Nelson declared.

”Then there's just another point--I've folks who have driven a long way, staying the night with me, and there's quite a crowd coming in for supper. How am I to treat them?”

”They can have all they want to eat,” Mrs. Nelson told him graciously; ”but no liquor.”

”I can't refuse to supply them without a reason. What am I to say?”

”Tell them that the Women's Reform League has compelled you to close your bar.”

”And I've been given the orders by their acknowledged secretary?”

”Yes. I'm proud of being their leader, and of the duty I've discharged.”

Beamish turned to his customers.

”You'll remember what she has told me, boys!”

Grant drew George away.