Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-26

/ saw ~ w dS all UP. llcu, MtLNohli,
explained. The idea just came to me
| 1t fascinated me, and | lied She die
turn me doWn-there in the wings
And she shed that tear spoke Of, too
But, when was looking over the rail
road folders, she sent for me. I went
On the wings Of love. 1t was two
blocks-but went on the wings OF
lore. We've been married twenty
years. Forgive me, McMann'
"McMann turned around. He pick
ed up the bag. l asked where he was
going. Ashore he said, to think.
may go back to Kansas City, may
But I'll just think bit first And he
climbed into the ships boat. never
saw him again."
The hermit paused, and gazed
dreamily into space.
That" he said, "was my one great
lie my masterpiece. A year after
ward l came up here on the mountain
to be a hermit"
"As a result of it," asked Miss
Norton.
Eyes" answered Mr.. Peters. Z told
was a friend--so he was, but married.
Ny wife got to hear of it. so you
denied my existence she said. AS
a joke told her. The jokes on you,
she says. That was the end. She
went her way, and l went mine. ia
just unanimously gone her way so long
I was a little dazed at first with my
freedom. After fighting for living
alone for time, | came up here. It's
cheap. I get the solitude I need for
my book. Not long ago heard could
go back to her If I apolegized.'
Stick to your guns" advised Mr..
Max
I'm trying to-" Mr. Peters replied.
But it's lonesome herein winter.
And at Christmas in particular This
dressing-gown was a Christmas pres
ent from Ellen. She picked it. Pretty,
amt it? You see why ! cant come
down and cook for you, I might get
the fever for society, and shave, and
60 to Brooklyn, where she's living with
her sister,
But" said Mr.. Magee, we're in an
awful fix. You've put us there. Mr.
Peters, as man of honor, J. appeal TO
you. Your sense of fairness must tell
you my appeal is just. Risk it one
more day, and I'll have a cook sent up
from the village. Just one day.
There's no danger in that. Surely
you can resist temptation one little
day A man of your character
Miss Norton rose and stood before
Mr.. Peters. She fixed him with her
eyes-eyes into which no man could
gaze and go his way unmoved.
Just one tiny day." she pleaded.
Mr.. Peters sighed. He rose.
I'm a fool he said. 81 can't help
it. I'll take chances on another day.
Though nobody knows where it'll
lead"
"Brooklyn, maybe whispered Lou
Max to Magee in mock horror.
The hermit denned his coat, attend
ed to a few household duties, and led
the delegation outside. Dolefully he
locked the door Of his shack. The four
started down the mountain.
"Ba~k to Baldpate with our COOK.
said NJ. Magee into the girls ear. II
know now how Caesar felt when ne
rode through Rome with his ex-foes
festconed about his chariot wheels.
Mr.. Max again chose the rear.
escortng Mr., Peters. AS
Mr.. Magee and the girl swung into the
lead the former was moved to recur
to the topic he had handled so
a short time before.
'I'll make you believe in me yet,
he said
She did not turn her head.
1.-THE moment We reach the inn ne
went on, 81 shall come to you, with the
package Of money in my hand. Then
you'll believe l want to help you-
tell me you'll believe them
VERY likely I SHALL answered the
girl without interest. 'If you really
do intend to give me that money--no
one must know about it,
"No one shall know" he answered,
"but you and me-"
They walked on in silence. Then
shyly the girl turned her head. on,
most assuredly, she was desirable.
Clumsy as had been his declaration,
Mr.. NJ agee resolved to stick to 1t
through eternity.
I'm sorry I spoke as I did," she
said. evil YOU forgive me?'
"Forgive your" he cried. why
"And now she Interrupted, let us
talk of other things. OF ships, and
shoes, and sealingwax-"
"All the topics in the world ne re-
Piled "can lead to but one with me"
"Ships?' asked the girl.
"For honeymoons,' he suggested.
"Shoes?"
GIN some circles of society, I be-
lieve they are flung at bridal parties"
HAr6 cco1inO.way9
"On the license, isn't it," he queried.
"I'll not try you on cabbage and
kings" laughed the girl. please, on,
please, don't fail me. You won't, will
you?" Her face was serious, "You
see, it means so very much to me-"
Fail you?" cried Magee. "rd hard
ly do that now. In ten minutes that
package will be in your hands-along
with my fate, my lady"
81 shall be so relieved" She turned
her face away, there was faint flush
in the cheek toward Mr.. Magee. And
happy" she whispered under her
breath.
They were then at the great front
door of Baldpate Inn.
CHAPTER XII