Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-11

"Oh. yes. Baldpate inn." repeated
Billy Magee with interest.
Yes. that's a pretty swell place."
said the ticket agent. But 1t amt
open now. It's a summer resort
There amt no place open now. but the
Commercial House. And i wouldn't
recommend no human being there-es-
pecfally no lady who was sad before
she ever saw it"
Mr.. Magee explained to the incon-
gruous family pair waiting on the
bench.
There's only one hotel" he said.
and I'm told it's not exactly the place
for any one whose outlook on life is
not rosy at the moment. I'm sorry"
1T will do very WELL" answered the
girl. whatever it Is" She smiled at
Billy Magee- my outlook on life in
Upper Asquewan Falls" she said.
grows roster every minute. We must
End q cab"
She began to gather up her travelling
bags. and Mr.. Magee FASTENED 10 as
sist. The three went out on the sta
ton platform, upon which lay thin
carpet OF snowfiakes. There the older
woman, In a harsh rasping voice.
found fault with Upper Asquewan
FaIls-its geography. its public spirit.
it's brand Of weather A detected cab
at the end Of the platform stood
mourning it's lonely lot In it Mr.. Ma
gee placed the large lady and the bags.
Then. while the driver climbed to his
seat he spoke into the invisible ear of
the girl.
You haven't told me why you
cried" he reminded her.
Upper Asquewan Falls" she said,
isn't Il reason enoughT'
Billy Magee looked; saw a row of
gloomy buildings that seemed to list
as the wind blew. blurred sign.
Liquor and Cigars" street that stag
gered away into the dark like a
man who had fingered too long at the
emporium back of the sign.
Are you doomed to stay here long"
he asked.
Come on, Mary" cried a deep voice
from the cab. Get in and shut the
door. I'm freezing"
"It all depends" said the girl.
Thank you for being so kind and
good night"
The door closed with a muffied bang.
the cab creaked YEARLY away and Mr..
Magee turned back to the dim waiting
room.
well, what was she crying for?"
inquired the ticket agent when Mt.
Magee stood again at his cell window.
"She didn't think much of your
town." responded Magee. "She init
mated that 1t made her heavy Of
heart"
HIN! It amt much OF place" adj
mitted the man. though it amt the
general rule with visitors to burst into
tears at sight of 1t. Yes, Upper AS
Quewan Is slow, and no mistake 1t
gets on my nerves sometimes Moth
ing TO do hnt work. work. work. and
then lay down and wait for tomorrow.
I used to think maybe some day they'd
transfer me down to Hooperstown-
there's moving pictures and such go
fngs on down there. But the railroad
never notices you-unless you go
wrong. Yes, sir; sometimes i want TO
clear out OF this town myself"
"a natural wanderlust." sympathiz-
ed Mr.. Magee. "You said something
lust now about BaIdpate inn
Yes; it's a little more lively in sum-
mer, when that's open," answered the
agent I'VE get a lot OF complaints
about trunks not coming from pretty
swell people too. It sort OF cheers
things" His eye roamed with inter
estroyer Mr.. Magee's New York attire.
But Baldpate inn is shut up tight
now. This is nothing but an annex
10 a graveyard In winter. You wasn't
thinking of stopping OF here. was
you?"
well, / want to see a man named
Elijah ouimby." Mt. Magee replied
do You know him."
..Of course" said the yearner for
nastures new. Hes earetaker OF the
inn. His house is about mile out on
the old Miller road that leads up Bald
pate. Come outside and I'll tell you
how to get there"
The two men went out into the whirl.
ing snow. and the agent waved hand
indefinitely up at the night
..If II was clear" he aid. you could
see Baldpate mount. over yonder
looking down on the fails. sort OF keep
ing an eye on us to make sure we
don't get reckless. And halfway up
you'd see Baldpate inn, black ana
peaceful and wintery. Just follow
This street TO the third corner and turn
TO your left Elijah lives in little
house back among the trees a mile out
There's a gate you'll sure hear creak-
ing on a night like.this-
Billy Magee thanked him and. gath
ering up his two bags. walked up
Main street A dreary. forbidding
building at the first corner bore the
sign Commercial House"
Weep no more. my lady
on. weep no more today
bu....ae,, Llr. Magee cynically under
his breath and glanced mp at the soil
tary upstairs window that cleaned
yellow In the niSht.
At a corner on which stood a little
shop that advertised Groceries ana
Provisions" he paused
LET me see." he ponder>d- The
lights will be turned or. OF course
Candles and little something for the
inner man In case it's the closed sea