Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-21

But. Peters," pleaded Magee. you
ere not going to leave us In the hole
ike this?'
Sorry" replied Peters. 81 can
please men. but can't please women.
I tried to please one once-but let the
dead past bury its dead. I live on
Baldpate In Il shack TO escape the sex.
and It wouldn't be consistent for me
TO stay here now. I got TO go. hate
to, like a dog, but got to-"
Peters," said Mr.. Magee. I'm sur
prised. After giving your word to
stay. And who knows-you may be
able TO gather valuable data for your
book. Stick around. These women
won't bother you. And Wen pay you
beyond the dreams OF avarice OF a
Broadway chef. Won't we, gentlemen"
The others nodded. Mr.. Peters vlsi-
bly, weakened.
Well" he began. "I''- His eyes
were on the stairs. Mr.. Magee also
looked in that direction and saw the
girl of the station smiling down. She
no longer wore coat and hat. and the
absence OF the latter revealed glory
OF golden hair that became instantly
rival to the sunshine in that drear bare
room.
"No. Peters" she said. you mustn't
go. We couldn't permit it. Mamma
and will go"
She continued to smile at the OBJ
viously dazzled Peters. Suddenly he
spoke in a determined tone:
mo. don't do that. I'll stay" Then
he turned to Magee and continued for
that gentleman's ear alone: "Doggone
IL, we're all alikei We resolve and re-
solve and then one of them looks at US
and it's all forgot. i had a friend who
advertised for a wife-ieastways, he
was friend until he advertised. He
got ninety-two replies. seventy of 'em
from married men advising against the
step. I'm cured he says to me. Not
for me- Did he keep his word? No
week after he married a widow just
to see IL what the seventy said was
true. I'm mortal. 1 hang around the
buzzsaw. If you give me little mon
ey. I'll go down to the village and buy
the provisions for lunch"
Gleefully Mr.. Magee started the her.
NIT on his way, and then went over
to where the girl stood at the foot OF
the stairs.
They went together to the kitchen.
found a'pail and filed it with icy wa
ter from the pump at the rear Of the
inn. Inside once more, Mr.. Magee re-
marked thoughtfully:
"Who would have guessed a week
ago that today 1 would be climbing the
broad staircase of a summer hotel car
ryfng a pail OF water for lady fair?'
They paused on the landing
There are more things in heaven
and earth, Horatio." smiled the girl
than are dreamed of. even by novel
lists" Mr.. Magee started Had she
him as the Magee of light
fiction? Her face went suddenly grave.
She came closer. 81 can't help won
dering," she said. which side you
are on?"
(Which side of what?" asked Magee.
"Why, of this" she answered, wav-
ing her hand toward the office below.
II don't understand" objected Mr.. |
MaGee.
Lets not be silly" she replied. |
You know what brought me here. l |
know what brought you. There are /
three sides. and only one is honest. L |
hope. so very much. that you are on |
that side"
Upon my word began Magee.
xviii it interest you to know" she
continued. II saw the big mayor of
Reuton in the village this morning?
With him was his shadow. Lou Max.
Let's see-you had the first key. Mr..
Bland the second. the professor the
bird md had the fourth. The mayor
las the fifth key, of course. He'll be
iere soon"
The mayor" gasped Mr. Magee.
Really. 1 haven't the slightest idea
what you mean. I'm here to work.
VERY WELL" said the girl coIdly, IF
Tou wish it that way" They came to
he door OF Il. and she took the pail
rom Mr.. Magee's hand. Thanks
where are you going. my pretty
naidT" asked Magee. indicating the
,ail
'''''I'll see you Mt luncheon. sir"
he said.'" responded Miss Norton. AID
he door OF Il slammed shut.
Mr.. Magee returned to No. and
stirred the fire. The tan
lie of events babe fair TO swamp him.
THE mayor of Reuton," he mused
has the fifth KEY What in the name
( common sense is going on? It's too
luch even for melodramatic me-" He
.aned back in his chair. Anyhow,
Ike her eyes" he said. And /
want to be quoted as disap-
rowing of her hair either. I'm on her
de. whichever it may be-"