Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-03-24

vised. "You might fall down some.
thing-or something
the stunning gowns coming down that
stair in state and the young men be-
low here agitated in their bosoms:"
mo, can't" said Mr.. Quimby
frankly.
"I can't either, to tell the truth.
laughed Billy Magee. He turned up
his collar. IT'S like picturing sum
mer girl sitting on an iceberg ANA
swinging her openwork hosiery over
the edge. | don't suppose it's neces-
sary to register. III so right up and
select my apartments"
It was upon suit Of rooms that
bore the number seven on their door
that Mr.. Magee's choice fell. \ large
parlor with fireplace that few
blazing logs would cheer, q bedroom
whose bed was destitute of all save
mattress and springs, and a bathroom
comprised his kingdom.
Mr.. Magee inspected his apartment.
The windows were all OF the low
French variety and opened out upon
broad snow covered balcony which
was in reality the roof of the first
floor veranda. On this balcony Magee
stood q moment, watching the trees on
Baldpate wave their black arms IN the
wind and the lights Of Upper AsGue-
wan Falls wink knowingly up at him.
Then he came inside. and his iuvestl-
cations brought him presently to the
tub in the bathroom.
Fine" he criei-''a cold plunge in
the morning before the daily struggle
for immortality begins"
He turned the spigot. Nothing hap
pened.
81 reckon" drawled Mr.. Quimby
from the bedroom, you'll carry your
cold plunge up from the well back OF
the inn before you plunge into it. Tie
waters turned of. We can't take
chances with busted pipes
"Of course" replied Magee less
blithely. His ardor was somewhat
dampened-a paradox-by the failure
Of the spigot to gush forth Il response
"There's nothing I'd enjoy more than
carrying eight pals OF water upstairs
every morning to get up an appetite
for-what? Oh, well. the Lord will
provide. If we propose to heat up the
great American outdoors. Quimby. !
think it's time we had fire.
Soon Quimby came back with kin
ding and logs. and subsequently n
noisy fire roared in the CRATE.
II wouldn't wander round none. he
advised. You might fall down some
thing-or something l been living In
these parts Off and on for sixty years
and more. and nothing like this ever
came under my observation before.
Howsomever, | guess it's all right II
Mr.. Bentley says so. I'll come up In
the morning and see you down to the
train
"What tr;!iu:" inquired Mr.. Magee.
"Your train back to New York city,"
replied Mr.. Quimby. Don't try to
start back in the night. There amt no
train till morning.
"Ah. Quimby." laughed Mr.. Magee,
"you taunt ne You think | won't
stick 1t out Rnt I'll show you. ] tell
you I'm hL:.s:y for solitude"
That's all right" Mr.. Quimby re-
spondcd. You can't make three square
meals Il day of solitude.
"I'm desperate" said Magee. Henry
Cabot Lodge must come to me, l say,
with tears in his eyes. Ever see the
kenator that way? No? 1t isn't going
to be an easy job. must put it over.
! must go deep into the hearts Of men
I'D here and write what 1 find. No
more shots in the night. Just the ad-
venture Of soul and soul. DO you see?
BY the way, here's so. your first
weeks pay as caretaker Of New
York Quixote."
"What's thatw ASKED Quimby.
"Quixote." explained Mr.. Magee,
twas Spanish lad who was a little
confused In his mind and went about
the country putting up Mt summer re-
sorts In midwinter."
I'D expect it Of Spaniard." Quinn
by said. "Be careful Of that fire. I'll
be up In the morning." He slowed
away the bill Mr.. Magee had given
him. 81 guess nothing will interfere
with your lonesomeness. Leastways l
hope 1t won't. Good night"
Mr.. Magee bade the man good night
and listened to the thump Of his boots
and the closing Of the great front
door. From his windows he watched
the caretaker move down the road
without looking back, to disappear at
last In the white night.
Throwing Off his great coat, Mr.. Ma
gee noisily attacked the fire. The
blaze Hared red on his strong, humor-
GUS mouth, In his smiling eyes. Next,
In the flickering half light Of suit 7
he distributed the contents Of his trav-
cling bags about. On the table he
placed number Of new magazines
and few books.
Then Mr. Magee sat down In the big