Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-03-09

along! l just know everything is topsy-
turvy!"
@Not at ALL replied Miss Rhodes.
breakfast passed off like clockwork at
seven, and even Mr.. Golden had no COM
plants to offer. Dear, | must thank you for
all you've dcle for me. 1t was splendid!'
mot now" objected Mrs. Norton. Il
Christmas only two days away, and a lot of
shopping to be done. l can't linger in this
drafty station for thanks. | want you to
bring Mr.. Magee right up to the house for
lunch. I'll have meal ready thatll show
him what suffering must have been going on
inside me while | sat still watching that
hermit man burlesquing the cook business.
"Delighted!" said Magee "I'1l find you
cab" He led the way to a row of such
vehicles, Mrs. Norton and the girl following.
"Seems like you're always putting me in
a cab" remarked the older woman as she
climbed inside II don't know what Mary
and me would have done if it hadn't been
for you. You're a mighty handy person to
have around, Mr.. Magee. Amt he Deary9'
She winked openly at Magee.
aAnd delightful one" agreed the girl, in
a matter-of-fact tone.
Mrs. Norton was driven away up the
snowy street.
AS Magee and the girl turned, they beheld
the Hermit of Baldpate staring with
undisguised exultation at the tall buildings
of Reuton.
@Why, it's Mr. Peters, the girl cried
EYES," replied Magee, "his prediction has
come true. We and our excitement proved
too much for him. He's going back to
Brooklyn and to her."
@I'm so glad!' she cried She stretched
out her hand to the hermit
He took it, somewhat embarrassed. @Glad
to see you," he said. "You certainly appear
to have stirred things up. Miss. But then.
women are good at doing that. I've always
said"
"Mr Magee tells me you're going back,
after ALP" she broke in.
"Yes,' returned Peters. Il knew it. l
told you so. 1t was all right in the summer
when the bands played, and the warm winds
were hermiting on the mountain too. But in
the fall it's always been hard, and I've heard
the white lights calling, calling-why, I've
even heard her-heard Ellen! This fall you
came, and there was something doing on
Baldpate-and | knew that when you went
I'd just naturally have to go too So-I'm
going"
"Splendid!" commented the girl.
It'll be somewhat delicate continued
the hermit, bursting in on Ellen after all
these years. AS told Mr.. Magee, wish
had an inaugural address, or something like
that"
Il have it," responded Evelyn Rhodes.
@Ill write story about you for tomorrow
mornings paper, all about how the Christ
mas spirit has overcome the Hermit of Bald
pate, and how he's going back to his wife,
with his heart filled with love for her-it is
filled, isn't it,"
"Well, yes" agreed Peters. al reckon you
might call it that
@And theh you can send her copy of the
paper, and follow it up in person."
"A good idea commented Billy Magee.
"At first glance yes studied Peters;
@but, on the other hand, it would be the
deathknell of my postcard business, and I'm
calculating to go back to Baldpate next sum-
mer and take it up again. No, I'm afraid |
can't let it be generally known that I've quit
living in shack on the mountain for love
of somebody or other
"Once more smiled Magee, @big bust
ness muzzles the press.
@Not that amt obliged to you for the
offer" added the hermit.
@Of course" said the girl, II understand
And wish you the best of luck-along with
merry Christmas
"Miss-er-Miss Rhodes and | will see
you again, predicted Magee, "next summer
at Baldpate Inn