Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-01-05

she said. isn't it reason enough?'
Billy Magee looked, saw a of gloomy buildings
that seemed to list as the wind blew blurred sign
Liquors and Cigars street that staggered away into
the dark like who had fingered too long at the
emporium back of the sign.
Are you doomed to stay here long?' he asked.
"Come on, Mary" cried deep voice from the cab.
Get in and shut the door I'm freezing
at all depends, said the girl THANK you for being
so knd-and goodnight.
THE door closed with mufed bang, the cab creaked
YEARLY away, and MIagee turned back to the dim
waiting room.
well what was she crying for?' inquired the ticket
agent, when Magee stood again at his cell window.
"She didn't think much of your town." responded
heart heart '~ '''''''' '''' ' ~ ~ .
HINT amt much of place." admitted the man;
though it amt the general rule with visitors to burst
into tears at sight of it. Yes Upper Asquewan Slow
and mistake. 1t gets On my nerves sometimes
Nothing to do but wo-k work, work, and then lay
down and wait for tomorrow. l used to think maybe
some day they'd transfer me down to Hooperstown-
there's moving pictures and such goingson down there
But the railroad never notices you-unless you go
wrong Yes, Sir, sometimes want to clear out of this
town myself"
"A natural wanderust," sympathzed Magee "You
said something just about Baldpate Inn
yes, it's little more lively in summer when that's
about trunks not coming from pretty swell people too
1t sort of cheers things His eye roamed with interest
over Magees New York attire, But Baldpate Inn is
shut up tight now. This is nothing but to
graveyard in winter. You wasn't thinking of stopping
off here, was you?'
well ii want to man named Elijah Quimby, y
Magee replied. "Do you know him."
"Of course said the agent. Hes caretaker of the
inn His house is about mile out, on the old Miller
Road that leads up Baldpate Come outside and Ill
tell you how to get there.
The two men went out into the whrlng snow, and
the agent waved hand indefinitely up at the night
"If it clear" he said, "you could see Baldpate
Mountain yonder looking down the Falls, sort
of keeping eye on us to make sure we don't get reck
less. And halfway up you'd see Badpate Inn, black
and peaceful and wntery Just follow this street to the
third corner, and turn to your left. Elijah lives in
little house among the trees mile out-theres gate
you'll sure hear creaking night like this
RILLY MAGEE thanked him. and gathering up his
- two bags walked up Main-st A dreary, forbidding
building at the first bore the sign, Commercial
House." Under the white gaslight in the office window
three born pessmsts slouced low in hotel chairs gazing
sourly out at the storm.
Weep more. my Lady.
Weep no more today
hummed Magee cynicaly under his BREATH and glanced
up at the solitary upstairs window that cleaned yellow
in the night.
At corner on which stood little shop that adver-
tsed Groceries and Provisions he paused. "Let me
see he pondered @The lights will be turned off of
course. Candles, and little something in the way
of prepared foods the closed for cooks
He went inside, where weary old woman served
him.
what sort of candeso" she inquired with the air of
who had an infinite variety in stock.
Magee remembered that Christmas "For
a Christmas tree" he explained. He asked for two
hundred
"Ive only got forty the woman said what this
tree for the Orphans Homer"
With the added burden of package containing his
purchases in the tiny store, Magee emerged and con-
tnued his journey through the singing snow. Upper
Asquewan Falls its way home for supper fitted past
him in the svery darkness He in the lighted win
dows of many of the houses the green wreath of Christ
cheer Finally the houses became infrequent and
he struck out uneven road that wound upward.
Once he heard dogs faint bark. Then carriage
lurched by him, and strong voice cursed the rough
ness of the road Magee half smiled to himself as he