Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-11-18
Seuen Keys to Baldpate

went on. regarding Magee with a
smile. land said he wanted
to make me happy. So
| thought I'd let him try He was
a splendid man, but there's no deny
ing that In the years we were married
he sometimes forgot what he started
out to do / always brought him up
sharp. Your great DESIRE l told him,
lis to make me happy. I'd keep on
the job If | was your And he did, to
the day of his death. A perfectly
lovely man, though careless in money
matters. If he hadn't had that failing
| wouldn't be-"
Miss Norton, her cheeks flushed.
broke in hurriedly.
Mama, these gentlemen can't be
at all Interested" Deity she turned
the conversation to generalities.
Mr.. Peters at last seated the winter
guests of Baldpate Inn, and opened
his luncheon with q soup which he
claimed to have wrested from can.
This news drew from Professor Boil
ton a learned discourse on the timed
aids to the hermit of today. He pic-
tured the seeker for solitude setting
out for a desert isle. with canned
foods for his body and canned music
for his soul. Robinson Crusoe," he
said, Should be rewritten with a can
opener In the leading role" Mrs.
Norton, gave the talk more practical
turn by bringing up the topic Of pto-
maine poisoning.
While the conversation drifted on,
Mr. Magee pondered in silence the
weird mesh in which he had become
involved What did it all meanf
What brought these people to Bald
pate Christmas week? His eyes sought
the great safe back of the desk and
stayed there for a long time. In that
safe, he was sure. lay the answer
to this preposterous riddle. When his
thoughts came back to the table hA
found Mr.. Bland cycling him narrowly.
There was troubled look on the
haberdasher's lean face that could
never be ascribed to the cruelty of
Arabella.
The luncheon over, Miss Norton and
her mother prepared to ascend to their
rooms. Mr.. Magee unanswered SO as
to meet the girl at the foot Of the
stairs.
Wont you come back" he whis-
pered softly, land explain things to
poor hermit who is completely at
sea %
what things?'' she asked.
What It all means he whispered.
why you wept in the station, why
you invented the story of the actress,
why you came here to brighten my
drab exile-what this whole comedy OF
Baldpate Inn amounts to. anyhow? I
assure you am as innocent of under
standing 1t as Is the car of Russia
on his golden throne"
She only looked at him with unbe-
lieving eyes.
you can hardly expect me to credit
that" she said. IT must go up now
and read mama into the pleasant
land of thin girlish figures that is her
afternoon siesta. l may come back
and talk to you after while. but l
don't promise to explain"
Come back" pleaded Mr.. sMagee.
That is all ask"
"A tiny boon. she smiled. IT grant
She followed the generous figure OF
the other woman up the stair and.
casting back dazzling smile from
the landing, disappeared. Mr.. Magee
turned to find Professor Bolton dis
coursing to Mr.. Bland on some as
poets of the Pagan Renaissance. Mr..
BANDS face was panied.
That's great stuff, Professor" he
said, "and usually I'd like 1t. But
| just now-I don't seem in the mood.
somheow. Would you mind saving ii
| for me till later ~
(Te BE Cpntlnued Tomorxewa