Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-24

WhdI' ne mayors roar SeeIue'
to shake the windows. Young man
with nerve like yours, you coult
wheedle the price of battleship from
Carnegie. Il" He stood for {
! moment gazing almost in awe at Ma
gee. Then he burst forth into whole
souled laugh. Il am a good fellow,
he said "rll show you"
He went into the outer room, ant
despite the Mortified protects of LOT
Max, busted himself amid the ashes Of
. the fireplace. When he had q blaze
under way, Mr.. Magee came shiverins
from the other room and held out his
hand.
"Mr. Cargan," he laughed "wou're
a prince" He noted with interest
that the mayors broad shoes were
mighty near two hundred thousand
dollars.
While Mr. Magee drew on his
clothes. the mayor and Max sat
thoughtfullv Neforc the fire, the for
mcr with his pudgy hands folded over
The vast exnanSa where 10 breakfast
roposed. Mr.. Magee explained to them
that the holder Of the sixth key had
arrived.
"a handsome young lady" he re.
marked: cher name is Myra Thorn
hill"
"Old Henry Thornhill's daughter
reflected the mayor. "Won. seems
I've sort Of lost the habit Of being sur
prised now. tell You. Lou we're
breaking into the orchid division up
here"
While Mr.. Magee shayed-in ice-cold
water. another black mark against the
Hermit Of Baldpate-he turned over
III his mind the events Of the night be-
fore. The vigil in the Office, the plead
lnr Of the fair girl on the balcony, the
battle by the steps, the sudden ap-
rearance of Miss Thornhill, the figure
n his room, the conversation by the
annex door like moving picture
nlln the story of that weird night I'M
rolled itself. The film was not at an
end He had given himself the night
TO think Soon he would stand be-
fore the girl of the station; soon he
must answer her questions. What was
he to do with the fortune that lay be-
meath the feet of the mayor of Reuton
at this minute? He hardly knew.
He was ready to descend at last, and
came into the parlor Of his suite with
greatcoat and hat In reply to Mr..
Cargan's unasked question, he said:
I'm going up the mountain present
ly to reason with our striking cook
You amt going to leave this inn,
Magee." said the mayor.
Not even to bring back a cook.
Come. Mr.. Cargan. be reasonable. You
may go with me, if you suspect my
motives"
They went out into the hall, and Mr..
Magee passed down the corridor to the
farther end, where he raped On the
door of Miss Thornhill's room. She
almost Immediately, buried
beneath furs and wraps.
you must be nearly frozen re-
marked Mr.. Magee pitingly. "You and
your maid come down to the Office. |
want you to meet the other guests
"I'll come she replied. "Mr. Ma
gee, I've confession to make. |
invented the maid. 1t seemed so
horribly unconventional and shocking
Il couldn't admit that ] was alone.
That was why + wouldn't let you build
a fire for me-
Don't worry" smiled Magee. You'll
find We have all the conveniences up
here I'll present you to chaperon
shortly--a Mrs Norton, who IS here
with her daughter. Allow me to intro
duca Mr.. Corgan and Mr.. Max"
The girl bowed with rather start
led air, and Mr.. Cargan mumbled some
thing that had "pleasure" in it. In the
office they found Professor Bolton and
Mr.. Bland sitting gloomily before the
fireplace.
Got the ews. Maeee?' asked the
haberdasher. "Peters has done dis
appearing act"
It was evident to Magee that every
body looked upon Peters as his crea-
ture. and laid the hermit's sins at his
door. He laughed.
I'm going to head a search party
shortly" he said Don't detect the
odor of coffee in the distance?"
"Mrs, Norton" remarked Professor
Bolton dolcfully, has kindly con-
scented to do what she can"
, The girl Of the station came through
the Cining-room door It was evident
she had no share in the general gloom
that the hermit's absence cast over
Baldpate. Her eyes were bright with
the glories Of morning on mountain;
in their depths there was no room for
petty annoyances.
Good morning. she said to Mr..
Magee isn't it bracing? Have you
been outside? Oh. l.
"Miss Norton-Miss Thornhill," ex-
planned Magee. "Miss Thornhill has
the sixth key. you know. She came
last night without any Of us Knowing
With lukewarm smiles the two girls
shook hands. Outwardly the glances
they exchanged We're nonchalant and
casual, but somehow Mr.. Magee felt
that among the matters they estab-
lished were social position. wit, cum
ming, guile, and taste in dress.
MAY I help with the coffee?" asked
Miss Thornhill.
"Only to drink it." replied the girl
of the station. IT'S all made now,
you see.'
AS If in proof of this, Mrs. Norton
in the dining-room door with
a tray, and simultaneously opened an
endless monologue:
II don't know what you men will
say to this, I'm sure-nothing in the
house but some coffee and a few
cra korc-not avon any canned SOllD.