The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-03-21

s.Alone and unaided," she quoted, smiling mockingly up into his race.
 Absolutely alone and entirely un- aided.v said Billy Magee .I'H swear to that in court"
 As MT. Magee and the girl turned they beheld the hermit of Baidpate staring with undisguised exuitation at the tall buildings of Reuton.
 s.Why, it's MT. Peters" the girl cried
 .Yes,. replied Magee. "His predtc- ton has come true. We and our ex- citement proved too much for him He's going back to Brooklyn and to her,
 .Tm SC. giadr' she cried She stretched out her hand to the hermit. He took it, somewhat embarrassed.
 "Glad to see you,o. he said. t.Yeul certainly appear to have stirred things up. miss. But women are good at ehaI I've always said''-
 ssMr Magee tells me you're going back, after all? ?'' she broke in.
 .sYes," returned Peters. ssI knew it. [ told you so It was all right in the summer, when the bands played and the warm wind was hermiting on the mountain too. But in the fall it's al- ways been hard. and I've heard the white lights calling, calling I've even heard her-heard Ellen. This fall you came, and there was some thing doing on Baldpate-and knew that when you went I'd just naturally have to go too. So-Im going''
 s'Splendidr' commented the girl.
 .It'I be somewhat delicate,'' con tinued the hermit, bursting in on El- len after all these years. As I told MT. AIageet wish I had an inaugural address ols something like that''
 sI have it,'' responded Evelyn Rhodes. s'I'H write a story about you Cor tomorrow mornings paper - all about how the Christmas spirit has overcome the hermit of Bal1pate and how he's going back to his wife with his heart filled with love. for her. It Is filled, isn't it P
 Well, yes, agreed MT. Peters "I reckon you might call it that
 HAnd then you can send her copy i of the paper and follow it up in per son.
 A good idea" commented Billy Ma gee.
 l At first glance, yes,'' studied Peters; ssbut, on the other hand. it would be | the death kneH of my postcard busi- ness, and m caleulating to go back to 1 Baldpate next summer and take it l up again. No, I'm afraid 1 can't let it be generally known that I've quit | living in, shack on the mountain for love of somebody or other" "Once more,' smiled Magee. '.big business muzEles the press
 eNot that I ain't obliged to you for the offer." added the hermit. l 4sMiss-er-Miss Rhodes and I will see you again. predfcted Mr. Magee, next summer at Baldpate inn-'' l The hermit looked at the girl, who turned her face away.
 .1 hope it'll turn out that way, Pm sure" he said ssI1l let you have, a reduction on all postcards, just for old about the New York trains.r
 He melted into the crowd, an odd figure still, his garb in fashion long forgotten. his clumsily hacked hair brushing the collar of his ancient coat. Magee and the girl found the check room and, after he had been relieved of the burden of his baggage, set out up the main street of Reuton. It was a typical up state town. deep in the throes of the holiday season The win dows of the stores were green with holly. The faces of the passers by re hected the settlements of Christmas and of the upheaval in civic politics which were upon them almost together
 Tell me-" said the girl, 'tare you glad-at the way it has turned out.
 Are you glad I was no lady Captain Kidd?'
 tIt has all turned out-or is about to turn out-beautifully," Mr. Maget :, l a } on the veranda of Ba1dpate inn spoke } of one summer hotel irritation that wa. going to prove more than that Le
 me''-
 Her laugh interrupted. You don't even know my name-'' ii What's the matter with Evelyl , Rhodes ?" suggested Magee.
 Nothing It's perfectly goos name. But it isn't mine ! just writ
 under it
 .I prefer Mary. anyhow smiled Bil ly Magee. 4.She called you that It Mary
 You have no idea,'' said he, "hov immaterial that is.'
 They came upon 8 throng blocking 2 the sidewalk in front of a tall build ing of stone. The eyes of the thron were on bulletins. It muttered muc . as they had muttered who gathere l in the station.
 r "The office of the Star,'' explaine
 the girl. ..The crowd is looking fo l1 new excitement. Do you know, fo l two whole hours this morning we ha s on exhibition in the window a certai
 package-a package of moneyw "I think,'' smiled Magee, .1've see x it somewhere."
 T think you have. Drayton cam 7 and took it from us as soon as b 3 heard. But it was the very best proc we could have offered the peopl. D They like to see for themselves. It