Evening Star Newspaper, May 24, 1937, Page 31

DAILY SHORT STOR BELL BUZZARD By Pearl IS face was black with fury and jealousy as Mayor George Bownett peered stealthily from his hiding place in the brush at the side of the road. While he was lying there, his eyes never left the figure of the man who was steadily approach- ing. In spite of the mayor's concen- tration on this man, his mind constantly revert- ed to those mad- dening pictures which so tortured him. He was seeing again his wife Alice as she had smiled sweetly at an absolute stran- ger, the peddler who was even now coming toward him. This picture was replaced by | one of Alice insisting that the peddler stay for dinner after she had bought | some of his useless wares. More pictures rushed before him. The last was one of his wife speak- ing in soft, hurried tones to the man as he was ready to leave. He mar- veled at the fact that he had kept himself in control for such a long period of time. While Bownett's mind was busy with such thoughts the peddler had drawn nearer to the spot where he | lay. Studying the man's face for eny trace of alarm, he found no| suspicion there. Then he glanced | away from that man who was so| near to him and looked for a mo- ment at the revolver which he held | clasped tightly in s hand. He| noticed that his muscles were tense, | but suddenly he became cool and | steady. A slow smile spread across his face as he realized that his was | the power, and the life of that man | was at his disposal. After all, why should he worry or fret about a| common pack peddle Even if he| were attractive and , those qual- | ities would soon be gone. * ok X X “’I’r}i such thoughts urging him on, o the mayor aimed his gun care- fully and fired. It was all done as naturally as if the man were nothing more than a stray dog. The peddler reeled; then sank to the ground. He lay there motionless for some time before Bownett went cautiously to his | &ide. Yes, the man was dead. Glancing about quickly he made | eure that no one was in sight. Then, | with the decisiveness which was so | charactertistic of him, he half dragged | and half carried the body into a | swamp which was a short way from | the road. He deposited the body in | the deepest part of the debris and piled some brush upon it. No one would spect that a dead man was there. In fact, probably no one would ever miss the peddler who had come through the town. Even if a| question did arise as to his where-| abouts, there was no trace of him. * % K ok THREE days went by without any 4 further developments. George was 80 busy with his many varied duties that he found it easy to put thoughts of the murder from his mind. On the fourth day he returned home for dinner, and as usual Alice met him. Suddenly they heard the jangling of a cowbell overhead. Gazing upward they discovered the source. Alice said | loughingly, “Really, I think my brothers had a grand idea when they tied & cowbell to that buzzard’s leg.” George laughed, .too, but rather shaki and inquired: “What's that story? I've heard it, but I can't re- member the details.” “Well, John and Fred were explor- | {ng among some rocks one day and came across a nest. There was only | one little turkey buzzard in it. The| boys each had a little cowbell; so that if they became separated they eould easily find one another. They decided to tie the smallest bell to the little buzzard's leg so they would | always know it when it was near. Now every one in the country knows that buzzard by its bell.” By the time that Alice had fin- fshed her explanation the buzzard He became cool and steady. | dict was drawn up. | shake from head to foot. | nett still heard it. Johnson. had flown on and was slowly circMng the swamp. They watched him a few moments and then went into the house. Somehow George was rest- less for the re- mainder of the day. That night he was unable to sleep and tossed and turned a good deal. * ok ok % 'HE next day the buzzard with the bell was back. Evidently he had found something, for he was not alone this time. There were three or four other buze zards with him, and they circled the swamp, Each day more and more of them arrived. Every one in the neighborhood was conscious of their unexplained pres- ence, and the cowbell jangled on and on. Five days after the buzzard had first appeared several of the residents thought they should investigate over in the swamp. They consulted the mayor; and he, acting in his ca- pacity as sheriff, led the party. He had done a good job of hiding the body, so it took the group some time to find it. Naturally, there was much speculation as to what had happened to the man, but no one knew any- thing about him. Because of Ppieces of materials found near him several of the men surmised that he was the peddler who had been in town about a week before. * oK ok % OWNETT was cool and collected, 8s was necessary for & man of his dignity and position. He felt safe and secure, even in the face of this change of events. He gave quick directions for the removal of the body, and then he stated that an inquest would be held in two days. In the meantime he, as coroner, would see that all the evidence was col- lected. George Bownett actually worked hard to find out how much was known. Of course, evidence was lacking; for the peddler was a stranger there, and he had only been in the town a short time. He had last been seen by the townfolk after he had left the home of the Bow- Tetts. George watched Alice carefully and was convinced that she had not cared especially for the man. However, he Was not repentant, for he had hated that peddler and was glad he was out of his way. Coroner George Bownett presided at the inquest when it was held. The scanty facts were heard and a ver- It read as fol- lows: “This pack peddler met death by means of an unknown hand. Due to lack of evidence, and of inter- est, the matter is to be considered closed.” * ok ok % T ALL worked out as Bownett had hoped it would. Now he was free to forget all that he knew. As there was no further business the meeting started to disband. One of the men opened the door and in dashed a small puppy. He was yipping and crying; for tied to his tail was a cowbell. -~ Evidently some of the boys had tied it on him. The bell jingled noisily as he rushed about. Bownett blanched and began to All his presence of mind was gone, and he heard only that terrifying bell. Grab- bing his gavel he pounded on his| desk with it and shouted, “Stop that | bell! Stop it, I say!” As if the effort of shouting were almost too much he grasped the desk and leaned on it. All eyes were on him, but he seemed to be aware of nothing save the sound of a bell. Feeling that every one in the room must know of his guilt he confessed, “Yes, I did it! I killed him!” Some one had caught the dog and the bell was quiet, but George Bow- Madly he yelled, “‘Make him stop that bell!” With this injunction he sank to the floor, be- trayed by his own conscience. Copyright, 1937.) Norma Shearer co-starred with Leslie Howard in “Romeo & Juliet” at Loew’s Palace THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON D. C, MONDAY, MAY 24, 1937. * B9 NEW SUMMER STORE HOURS—9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.—Effective Beginning June 1st. (S5 REDUCED! Famous ROLLMASTER <P 2.95 Yard Reduced! drying space. Metal cen- ter post. Metal- covered ground box. Folds like an um- brella. Revolving Galvanized Dryer. 100 - ft. One Day Only Great States Lawn s designed ‘There is really no sense in keeping ansburg, SEVENTH, EIGHTH and E-STREETS 39¢ 3.6a Garbage Cans. Spe- clal! 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Look for the “Un-Advertised _ Special”? 2 ; 7 9c Pint Odorless Larvex O’Cedar Mop and Polish Choice: 'K’}’lmlle Main Store 1212 F St. % NAtional 4276 Member Florists Telegraph Delivery Association material. 0 no odor or stain. Pint, with soraver . 1.19 ixth Floor TO UNUSUAL VALUES! . 4 L