Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-19
< Earl Derr BiqqerS

| what you mean. I'm here to work.
VERY WELL" said the girl coldly, IF
you wish it that way They came to
the door of seventeen, and she took
the pail from Mr.. Magee's hand.
Thanks
"'Where are you going, my pretty
maid ~" asked Magee indicating the
pail.
"I'll see you at luncheon. sir. she
said responded Miss Norton and the
door of seventeen slammed shut
Mr.. Magee returned to number seven
and thoughtfully stirred the fire. The
tan"le of events babe faif to swamp
him.
':.The mayor of Reuton," he unused,
has the fifth key What in the name
of common sense is going on? It's too
much even for melodramatic me-" He
leaned back in his chair. Anyhow, l
like her eyes," he said. and I should
not want to be quoted as disappearing
of her hair, either. I'm on her side,
whichever it may be-"
CHAPTER vi.
Ghosts Of the Summer Crowd.
IT wonder" Miss Norton smiled up
into Mr.. Magee's face, eff you ever
watched the people at a summer hotel
get set on their mark for the sprint
through the dining-room door,"
mo" answered Magee, "but I have
visited the Zoo at meal time. They
tell me it is much the same"
"A brutal comparison, said the
girl But Just the same I'm sure that
the head waiter who opens the door
here at Baldpate must feel much the
same at the moment as the keeper who
proffers the raw meat on the end of
the pitchfork. He faces such wild
determined mob. The front rank is
made up of hard-faced women worn
out by veranda gossip. Usually some
stiff old dowager crosses the tape first.
was thinking that perhaps we re-
semble that crowd in the eyes Of Mr.
Peters now"
1t was past one O'Clock, and Mr.. Ma
gee with his four mysterious COM
panions stood before the fire in the Of
fee. each with an eager eye out for
the progress of the hermit, who was
preparing the table beside them.
Through the kindness of Quimby, the
board was resplendent with snowy
linen.
1--WE may seem over-eager." COM
mented Professor Bolton. 81 have no
doubt We do. It is only natural. With
nothing to look forward. to-, but the
next meale the human animal alta ches
a preposterous Importance to his feel
ing We are In the same case as the
summer guests
Are we?" interrupted Mr.. Magee.
"Have we nothing but the. next meal
to look forward to-? I think not. l
haven't. I've come to value too highly
the capacity for excitement Of Bald
pate Inn in December. I look forward
to startling things. I expect, before
the day is out. at least two gold-laced
kings, an exiled poet, and lord
mayor, all armed with keys to Bald
pate Inn and stories strange and un-
convincing"
"Your adventures Of the last twentv-
four hours" remarked the professor.
smiling wanlv. "have led you to expect
too much. have made injuries OF
Quimby. There are, aside from his
own. but seven KEYS in all to the vari-
GUS doors Of Baldpate Inn. Four are
here represented. It is hardly likely
that the other three will send dele
gates, and if they should, you have but
a slim chance for kings and poets.
Even Baldpate's capacity for excite
ment, you see, is limited by the num-
Der of little steel keys which open its
portals to exiles from the outside
world. I am reminded of the words
of the philosopher"
"Well, Peters, old top" broke in
Mr.. Bland in robust tones, isn't she
nearly off the fire."
"Now see here" said the hermit,
setting down the armful of dishes with
which he had entered the office, Il
can't be hurried. I'm all upset, as it
Is. I can't cook to please women-I
don't pretend to. i have to take all
sorts of precautions with this lunch.
Without meaning to be impolite. but
just because Of passion for cold facts,
I may say that women are faultfind-
ing"
"I'm sure" said Miss Norton sweet
ly, that I shall consider your lunch
con perfect"
"They get more faultfinding as they
get older" replied Mr.. Peters ungal-
lantly, glancing at the other woman.
Mrs. Norton glared.
Meaning me, l suppose" she
rasped. well. don't worry. I amt
going to find anything wrong"
II amt asking the impossible" re-
sponded Mr.. Peters. 81 amt asking
you not to find anything wrong. I'm
just asking you not to mention it when
you do" He retired to the kitchen.
Mrs. Norton caressed her puffs low
ingly.
What that man needs" she said,
lis a woman's guiding hand. He's
lived alone too long I'd like to have
charge of him for a while. Not that
wouldn't be kind-but I'd be firm. If
poor Norton was alive today he'd
testify that was always kindness
itself. But insisted on his living up
to his promises. When I was a girl
was mighty popular. l had lot OF
admirers"
mo one could possibly doubt that,
Mr.. Magee assured her.
Then Norton came along" she
went on, rewarding Magee with a
smile, land said he wanted to make
me happy. So I thought I'd let him
try. He was splendid man, but