Evening star., 1913-03-02
BY EARL DERR BIGGERS


out of the wreck this made of it you may yet rise
to happiness?'
Kendrcl smiled you are very kind" he said.
"Twce have met and battled in the snow, and do
not hold it against you that both times you the
victor Life in tropc town. Mr.. Magee, is not exactly
muscle building experience: Once might have gwen
the whole proceeding a different turn Yes Miss
Thor1hill has waited for all these years-waited,
believing. 1t is loyalty of which cannot speak with
out-you understand She knows why..I went away,
why stayed away She IS still ready to marry |
shall go again into the Suburban office and try and lift
the road from the muck into which it has fallen Yes.
it is not too much for to hope-and for you in your
klndness-that great happiness IS still tor me.
Believe me, I'm glad!" replied N1agee with youthful
enthusiasm, holding his hand. Il sorry spoiled
your little game up here; but 1..sr.-s
Il understand" smiled Kendrick. II think none the
less of you for what you have done And who knows!
1t may turn out have been the wisest course after
ALL
A H! would it, NIagee walked to the window, pom
dering the odd tangle of events that had not yet
been completely Strengthened out. Certainly her
an honest blue well beautifulbut who was
she? Where she? The great figure of Mrs. Norton
stirred restessly at hand the pufed lids of her
ewes opened.
"Mr Magee7 she said when she had made out his
figure by the window, "you We been true friend
might say, couple of mad females who ought to have
been at home by their own firesdes, and I'm going to
ask more favor of you. Find out when the next
train goes Reuton, and that m at the station
hour two before it pulls out
"I'll do that, Mrs Norton, smiled Magee by the
way is Norton the name!
"Hes,' answered the woman, that S my name. OF
course it amt hers | can't tell that
"No matter" said Magee. She'll probably change
it soon. Can't you tell me something about her., just
tiny bit of nformaon,just picture of where she IS
now and what she's doing with that small fortune
gave herr!
"Where is she now?" repeated Mrs Norton. "She's
home and in bed in my second floor front, unless She
gone clear crazy. And that's where | wish | this
minute in bed; though its question IN my mind If III
be able to sleep again, what with the uproar and
confusion my house probably by this time leaving
it charge of scatterbraned girl Norton always used
to say if you thing done right do it yourself
and though he didn't always live up to the sentiment
letting do most things he wanted done right, there
lot of truth in his words. l certainly must get
back to Reuton, just as quick as the railroad will
take me-"
"Why did you Gomez" prodded NIagee. "Why did
you leave your house this strange misson?'
The Lord knows replied the woman. Il certainly
first thing knew was on a train. She has winning
ways that grl-maybe you've noticed?"
Il have" assened Billy Magee.
al thought So No, Mr.. AIagee can't tell you moth
ing about her. [ amt allowed to-even you that has
been so kind. She made me promise. He'll know soon
enough she kept saying. But will tell you, as told
YOU before, there's occasion to worry about her
unless you to think she held up and murdered
with all that money her. the brave little dear If you
was considering offering yourself tor the JOB OF changing
her name Mr.. N1agee, say go and do it. 1t is
time she settled down and gave up ths-thls- 1t
all up before something awful happens to her. You
won't fOrget-the next train, Mr. Magee!'
"The very next" Magee agreed.
TN through the dining door stamped Quimby,
grave of face dazed at being reused from Sleep and
with him important little man whose duty 1t was to
investigate at Upper ASquewan Falls such things as had
happened that night at Baldpae. Even from his slm
Der he with the air of Judge and the of
Sherlock Holmes. For hour he asked questions, and
in the end he prepared to go in seemingly satisfied
state of mind.
Qunby's face was very awed when he came down
stairs after visit to the room above "Poor fellow! he
said to Magee. I'm sorry-he was so young!" For
such Qumby carry no feud beyond the gates. He
went over and took Kendrick S hand Il never had