The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-06-06

The snow had begun to full again. and
the lights Of the little hamlet below
allowed but dimly through the white
blur.
II want you to know" said the girl.
that l trust you now. Aud when the
time comes. as It will soOn-tOnlght-
am going to ask you to help me-"
She stopped and looked very serious
ly into Mr.. Magee's face.
I'm mighty glad" he answered In
low tone. From the moment l saw
you weeping In the station I've want
ed to be Of help to you. The station
agent advised me not to interfere. he
said to become involved with q weep
Ing woman meant trouble. The fool.
As though any trouble
HE was right" put in the girl; 1T
probably will mean trouble"
"As though any storm" finished Mr..
Magee, would not be wNh the rain.
bow Of your smile at the end"
"A very fancy figure" laughed she.
'"But storms aren't NICE"
There are few Of u.s." replied Ma
gee, who can be merry through the
worst Of them because of the rainbow
to come"
For answer she hattened her finely
modelled nose into shapelessness against
the cold pane.
What Mr.. Magee hippantly termed
his dinner party was seated at last.
and there began meal destined to
linger long IN the memories of those
who partook Of Il. Puzzled beyond
words. the host took stock Of bis
guests. Opposite him. at the foot of
the table. he could sec the lined tired
face Of Mrs. Norton. dazed. uncompre.
bending. a little frightened. At his
right the great red acreage of Cargan's
face held defiance and some amuse-
ment; beside IL sneered the cruel face
OF Max; beyond that Mr.. Bland's coun-
tenance told story Of worry and i'm.
potent anger. And on Mr.. Magee's
left eat the professor. bearded. specta-
cled. calm. seemingly undisturbed BY
this queer furry Of events. beside the
fair GIRL OF the station, who trusted
Magee at last. In the 6rst few mo-
msnts Of silence Mr.. Magee compared
Der delicate features with the coarse.
knowing face of the woman at the "a.
ble's foot and inwardly answered mo"
Without the genial complement of
talk the dinner began. Mr.. Peters ap.
peared with another variety Of bis can
ned soup. whereupon the silence was
broken BY the gastronomic endea vors
OF Mr.. Max and the mayor. Mr.. Ma.
gee was rejecting that conversation
must be encouraged. when Cargan sud.
denly spoke.
Il Aope ] amt putting you folks out
none." be remarked. with obvious sar. |
casm. 1T ain't my habit to drop IN
unexpected like this. But business.-
"Were delighted. I'm sure" said Mr..
Magee politely.
II suppose you want to know WHY
I'm here" the mayor went on. "Well"
he hesitated-'it's like this
Dear Mr.. Cargan." Magee broke In. |
"spare US. pray. and spare yourself.
We have bad explanations until we
are weary. We have decided to drop
them altogether and Just to take 1t for
granted that. IN the words Of the song.
we're here because we're here"
"All right" replied Cargan. evidently
relieved. THAT suits me. I'm tired
explaining anyhow. There's a bunch
OF reformers rose up lately in ReutOn.
Maybe you've heard about 'em. Al
lovely Lunch. A white necktie and
half portion Of brains apiece. They
say they're going to do for me ut the
next election"
Mr.. Max laughed harshly from the
vicinity Of his soup.
"They wrote the Hrst joke book.
them people," he said.
"Well." went OH Cargan, there aint
nobody % insignificant and plfiling that
people won't listen to 'em when they
attack u man In public life. SO I've
had to reply to this comic opera bunch.
and. as ] say. rm about wore out ex-
planning. I've had to explain that I
never stole the town I used to live In
In Indiana and thnt l didn't stick up
my father with knife. 1t gets mo-
noton0us. So I'm much obliged to you
for passing the explanations up. We
won't bother you long. me and Lou.
got title business here. and then
we'll mo- " along. Wen clear out
about o o'clock"
"No." protested Magee. $50 soon?
We must make 1t pleasant for you
while you stay. always hate hosts
who talk about their servants. have
q friend who bores me to death b.
cause he has Jap butler he believes
was at Mukden. But l think am
justified In calling your attention to
ours. Mr.. Peters. the hermit OF Bald
pate mountain. Cooking is merely his
avocation. he II writing book"
THAT guy?" remarked Cargan. in.
credulOus.
"What do you know about thatr'
asked Mr.. Bland. ut certainly will