Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-01-12

BILE to woman presence in the world.
A T length the hermit summoned them to
I - breakfast, and as they descended the
broad stair the heavenly odor of coffee sent
glow to their hearts. Peters had built
rousing fire in the big fireplace opposite the
clerks desk in the office, and in front of this
he had placed a table that held promise of
satisfactory breakfast. AS the three sat
down. Bland spoke:
u don't know about you, gentlemen, but
l could fall on Peters neck and call him
blessed"
The man thus referred to served them
genially He brought to Magee. between
whom and himself he recognized the tie of
authorship, a copy of a New York paper
which he claimed to get each morning from
the station agent. which helped him great
he said, in his eternal search for the worna,.
As the meal passed Magee glanced it
through. Twice he Looked up from it to
study keenly his queer companions at Bald
pate Inn. Finally he handed it across the
table to the haberdasher. The dull yellow
sun of winter morning drifted in from the
white outdoors; the fire sputtered gaily in
the CRATE. Also Peters failing for literature
interfered in no way with his talents as cook
The three finished the repast in great good
humor, and Magee handed out cigars.
GENTLEMEN" he remarked, pushing
back his chair, eve find ourselves in
peculiar position. Three lone men, knowing
nothing of one another, we have sought the
solitude of Baldpate Inn at almost the same
moment. Why? Last night. before you
came, Professor Bolton. Mr.. Bland gave me
as his reason for being here the story of Ara
bella, which | afterward appropriated as a
joke and gave as my own reason. | related
to MIR. Bland the fiction about the artist and
the besieging novelists. We snapped stories
when you came-it was our merry little
method of doubling each others word. Per-
haps it was bad taste. At any rate, looking
at it in the morning light, am inclined to
return Mr.. BANDS Arabella and no ques-
lions asked. He is again the lovelorn haber-
dasher. am inclined to believe your story
implicitly. That is my proposition. No
doubts of one another. We are here for
whatever reasons we say we are"
The professor nodded gravelv
LAST night" went on N1agee, @there was
some talk between Mr. Bland and myself
about one of us leaving the inn. Mr.. Bland
demanded it. | trust he sees the matter diff
ferently this morning. | for one should be
sorry to see him 60
@I've changed my mind" said Bland. The
look on his thin face was not pleasant one.
L VIC Idu w.
"Very good" went on Magee. 81 see no
reason why we should not proceed on friend
ly terms. Peters has agreed to cook for U.S.
He can no doubt be persuaded to attend to
our other wants. For his services we will
pay him generously in view of the circum-
stances. As for Quimby leave you to
make your peace with him."
al have letter to Mr.. Quimby from my
old friend John Bentley" said the professor,
(which | am sure will win me the caretaker's
warm regard.
Nagee looked at Bland.
"I'll get Andy Rutter on the WIRE" said
that man. "Qui1nby will listen to him,
guess"
MAYBE" remarked Magee carelessly.
"Who is Rutter?'
"He's manager of the inn when it's open,
answered Bland He looked suspiciously at
Magee. II know him only slightly" he
added. His statements were conflicting
"Those matters you will arrange for your
Selves Magee went on. IL shall be very
glad of your company if you can fix it to
stay. Believe it or not,-I forgot, we agreed
to believe, didn't we?-I am here to do some
writing. I'm going up to my room now to
do a little work. All ask of you gentlemen
is that, as favor to me, you refrain from