Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-03-31
Seven
TO
Baldpate
By
EARL DERR BIGGERS
Copyright. 1915. by the Bobbs. Merrill
Company
CHAPTER 10.
The Crack of a Pistol.


kIR R. MAGEE paused. For sharp
IIMI ly in the silence the bell Of hi
iii room telephone rang out
o He stood for q moment gaz
Ing in wonder, his heart beating swift
ly, his eyes upon the instrument OF
the wall. 1t was a house phone. II
knew 1t could only be rung from th'
switchboard in the hall below. "Pu
going mad already" he remarked ant
took down the receiver.
A blur of talk. an electric mutter
ing, a click, and all was still.
Mr.. Magee opened the door and step
ped out into the shadows. He heart
voice below. Noiselessly he crep
to the landing and gazed down int
the office a young man sat at thu
telephone switchboard. Mr.. Maget
could see in the dim light of soil
tary candle that he was a person Of
rather hilarious raiment. The candle
stood ON the top Of the safe. and the
door Of the latter swung open. Sink
ing down OH the steps In the dark, Mr.
Magee waited.
Hello" the young man was say
ing; "how do you work this thing
anyhow? I've tried every peg but the
right one. Hello. hello. l want long
distance-Reuton. 2S78 West-Mr. Andy
Rutter. Will you get him for me. sis
teri"
| Another wait-a long 0ne-ensued
The candle sputtered. The young man
| fidgeted in his chair. At last he spoke
Again:
Hello. Andy? Is that you. Andy
What's the good word? As quiet as
the tomb Of Napoleon? Shall close
up shop? Sure? What next2 oh
see here. Andy. I'd die up here! Did
you ever hit a place like this In win
ter? l can't-I-oh. well. If he says
so! Yes; could do that But nc
longer. | couldn't stand 1t long. Tel
him that. Tell him everything's o. Z.
Yes. All right. Well, good night
Andy"
He turned away from the switch
board, and as he did so Mr.. Magee
walked calmly down the stairs toward
him. With cry the young man ran
| to the safe, threw Il package inside
and swung shut the door He turned
| the knob Of the safe several times;
then he faced Mr.. Magee. The latter
saw something glitter in his hand.
Good evening"" remarked Mr. Ma
gee pleasantly.
What are you doing here?' cried
| the youth wildly.
81 live here" Mr.. Magee assured him
Won't you come up to my roOm-its
right ut the head Of the stairs. have
a fire. you know"
Back into the young mans lean
hawklike face crept the assurance that
belonged with the gay attire he wore
He dropped the revolver into his pock'
ct and smiled sneering smile.
"You gave me turn" he said "Of
course you live here. Are any Of the
other guests about? And who won the
| tennis match today?"
you are facetious." Mr.. Magee
smiled too. $50 much the better. A
lively companion is the very sort
should have ordered tonight. Come
upstairs.
"All right" he said. "But I'll have
| to ask you to go first. You know the
way" His right hand sought the pock
| ct into which the revolver had fallen.
"You honor my poor and drafty
house," said Mr.. Magee. ''This way"
He mounted the stairs. After him
followed the youth Of aashy habili
ments, looking fearfuliy about him af
he went. He seemed surprised that
they came to Magee's room without IN
cident. Inside. Mr.. Magee drew up an
easy chair before the fire and offered
his guest cigar.
"You must be cold" he said. ISL
here. "A bad night stranger as they
remark In stories"
you've said It," replied the youne
man, accepting the cigar. Thanks.
He walked to the door leading into the
hall and opened 1t about a foot. I'm
afraid" he explained jocoseiy. "we'l
get to talking and miss the breakfast
bell" He dropped into the chair and
lighted his cigar at candle end. "Say
you never can tell. can you? Climbing
up old Baldpate I thought to myself
that hotel certainly makes the Sahar;
desert look like a cozy corner. Ant
here you are, as snug and comfortable
and at home as If you were In Har
lem fat. You never can tell. Ant
what now? The story Of my life?
"You might relate" Mr.. Magee told
him. 'that portion Of 1t that has LED
you trespasslng on gentleman seek
ing seclusion at Baldpate inn."
"Trespassing, ehT said the young
man. Ear be 1t from me to Guarre
with a man who smokes as goot
cigars as you do. but there's something
haven't quite doped out. That Is
who's trespassing me or your"
my right here" said Mr.. Magee, III
indisputable."
"It's a big word" replied the other
"but you can tack 1t to my right herr
and tell no lie We can't dispute. 81
let's drop the matter. With that set
tied I'm encouraged to pour out thu
story Of why you see me here tonight
far from the madding crowd. Hav'
you a stray tear? You'll need 1t. 1T
a sad. touching story. concerned Will
haberdashery and a trusting heart
and a fair woman-fair. but, oh, how
false!'
Proceed" laughed Mr.. Magee. I'm
an admirer Of the vivid Imagination
Don't curb yours, l beg Of you"
Its all straight" said the other u
n hurt tone. Every word true. M!
name is Joseph Bland. Ny profession
until love entered my life. was tha
| of haberdasher and outfitter. In tn
city of Reuton, fifty: miles from here
III taught the Beau Brummels OF tn
thoroughfares what was doing In Lon
don in the necktie line. 1 sold then
coats with padded shoulders and col
lars high and awe inspiring. l wa
happy, twisting a piece Of silk owe
my hand to show them how 1t woul
look on their heaving bosoms. An
then-she came"
MIR. Bland puffed on his cigar.
-I&1I b I1d