Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-11-18
BY EARL DERR BIGcERs
Copyright by Bobbs- Merrill Coz

Usually some stiff old dowager cross
es the tape first. / was thinking that
perhaps we resembled that crowd In
the eyes of Mr.. Peters now
1t was past l o'clock, and Mr..
Magee with his four mysterious COM
panions stood before the fire in the
office, each with an eager eye out
for the progress of the hermit, who
was preparing the table beside them.
Through the kindness of Quimby, the
board was respondent with snowy
linen.
I'VE may seem over-eager," COM
mented Professor Bolton. II have
no doubt we do. 1t Is only natural.
With nothing to look forward to but
the next meal, the human animal at
taches a preposterous Importance to
his feeding. We are in the same case
as the summer guests"
Are we?" interrupted Mr.. Magee.
Have we nothing but the next meal
to look forward to? I think not. |
haven't I've come to value too
highly the capacity for excitement of
Baldpate Inn In December. look
forward to startling things. 1 ex-
pect, before the day Is out, at least
two gold-laced kings, an exiled poet,
and a lord mayor, all armed with
keys to Baldpate Inn and stories
strange and unconvincing.
your adventures of the last
twenty-four hours" remarked the
professor. smiling wan1y, have led
YOU to expect too much. have
made inquiries of Quimby. There are.
aside from his own. but seven keys
in all TO the various doors Of Bald
pate Inn. Four are here represented.
1t Is hardly likely that the other three
will send delegates. and If they
should you have but slim chance
for kings and poets. Even Baldpate's
capacity for excitement, you see, Is
limited by the number of little steel
KEYS which open it's portals to extles
from the outside world l am re-
minded of the words of the philoso-
pher-"
We'll. Peters. old top" broke in
Mr. Bland in robust tones, Isn't she
nearly off the flre?'
Now. see here" said the hermit,
setting down the armful Of dishes
with which he had entered the office,
II can't be hurried I'm all upset,
as it is ] can't cook to please women
Il don't pretend to. I have to take
all sorts of precautions with this
lunch. Without meaning to be inn
polite, but just because of passion
AoA SO1d ldStos may say tliut w OtAaCh
are faultfinding."
I'm sure said Miss Norton sweet
ly that shall consider your lunch
con perfect"
They get more faultfinding as they
get older replied Mr.. Peters I'M
gallantly. glancing at the other
woman.
Mrs. Norton Rlared.
Meaning me, I suppose she
rasped. well. don't worry. ] amt
going to find anything wrong"
Il amt asking the impossible" re-
sponded Mr.. Peters. IT amt asking
YOU not to find anything wrong. I'm
Just asking you not to mention 1t
when YOU do" He retired to the
kitchen.
Mrs. Norton caressed her puffs low
ingly.
! what that man needs" she said.
lis a woman's guiding hand. He's
lived alone too long I'D like to have
charge of him for a while. Not that
, wouldn't be kind-but I'd be firm.
If Door Norton was alive today he'd
testify that 1 was always kindness
itself. But insisted on his living
up to his promises. When was a
girl was mighty popular. I had a
lot Of admirers"
NO one could possibly doubt that, .
Mr. Magee assured her.
Then Norton came along" she