The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-09-26

over, all puffcd up and important. and
thcy told him the city editor wanted
him. They're going to senl me to the
t'hilippines.' he told me he thought as
he went into the presence. When the
city editor ordered him to rush down
to two alarm tlre In Houston street
ne nearly collapsed. know how he
felt. feel that way now"
what was 1t. a one alarm fireY' ask
ed Magee.
NO." she replied, "a sweet little sto.
ry about the Christmas toys. I've done
1t to death every Christmas for three
years. Oh, well. ! can do 1t again.
But It'll have to wait until after Mrs.
NOrtOn's lunch"
She led him into street where every
house was like its neighbor, even to
the Rooms" sign In the windows. and
up the steps Of one she could have rec
ognized only by counting from the cor
ner. They entered the murky and
stereOtyped atmosphere of a boarding
house hallway. with its inevitable hat
rack and the uncollected letters Of the
homeless on table. Mrs. Norton
came breezily forth to meet them.
well. Mr.. Magee." she said. II GER
tainly am glad you've came. I'm busy
ON that lunch now. Dearie. show him
into the parlor to wait"
Mr.. Magee was shown In. That
rooming house parlor seemed to moan
dismally as 1t received him.
On an easel was the sad portrait of
gentleman. undoubtedly the late la
mented Norton. His uninteresting
nose appeared to DO turned up nt the
constant Odor Of cookery In which It
dweit.
Mr.. Magee stared round the room
and smiled. Was the romance of real.
tty never to resemble the romance of
bis dreams? Where were the dim
lights, where the distant waltz. where
the magic Of moonlight amid which
be was some day to have told a beau
tiful girl Of his lover Hardly in Mrs.
Norton's parlor.
She came and stood In the doorway.
Hatless, coatless. smiling. she flooded
the place with her beauty. Mr.. Ma
gee looked ut the Habby angels on the
wall. expecting them to hide their
faces In shame. But no. They still
rode brazenly their unstable clouds.
"Come In" he cried. Don't leave
me alone here again. please. And, tell
me. Is this the gentleman who took
the contract for making Mrs Norton
happy"
IL can't come in" she said, blush.
Ing. She seemed to wish to avoid him.
YES, that Is Mr.. Norton" She came
nearer tho easel and smiled Mt the
late lamented's tonsorial crown. IL
must leave yOu-just a moment
You're never going to leave me
again." he cried. Don't you know
that? thought you knew. You're
mine. love you. love you. It's all
l can say. my dearest. Look at me-
look at me. please"
1T has happened so quickly" she
murmured. "Things can't be true
"s'>AA tuSy u0plVu oO 4uIShtys
"A wOman's logic" said Mr.. Magee
1T has happened. My beautiful girl!
Look at me-"
And then--she looked. Trembling,
flushed, half frightened, half exultant
she lifted her eyes to his.
my little girlw he cried down at
her.
A moment longer she held of and
then Imply she surrendered. And BIZ.
~ Magee held her close in his arms.
Take care of me-" she whispered
IL love you sO!" Her arm went tim.
Idly about bis shoulders. "Do you
want to know my name? It's Mary
Mary what? The answer was seem.
ingly OF no importance, for Mr.. Ma.
gees lips were on hers. crushing the
word ut Its birth.
So they stood. amid Mrs. Norton's
gloomy objects Of art. And presently
she asked:
"How about the book. dearT'
But Mr.. Magee had forgot.
"What boOkT he asked.
"The novel you went to Baldpate to
write. Don't you remember. dearest
no melodrama. no wild chase. no
love?"
why Mr.. Magee paused for
moment in the Joy Of his discovery.
Then he came back to the greater Joy
In his arms.
"Why, darling" he explained gently,
this IL It."
THE END.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.