The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1914-04-24


wife and Alexander AcMann should
meet. An estimabie woman. but
large. determined. but little suggest
ing the butterfly Of the footiights
married long before. We had a bad
session owe the carpet slippers. The
boat was ready to sail when McManI
came aboard. He carried a bag. and
his face shone.
shes e for me- he said. Ma
RE wants me. | got a letter from my
brother. I'll blow into Kansas like d
cyclone and claim her.
II was paralyzed. At that minuta
a large black figure appeared on deck.
1t headed for me. Jake it says,
you've sat up long enough. Go below
now
'McMann's face was terrible. | saw
it was all up. 4 lied. McMann, ! ex
planned. The idea just came to me.
it fascinated me. and | lied. She did
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. | went
on the wings Of love. 1t was two
blocks. but I went on the wings Ut
love. We've been married twenty
years. Forgive me. McMann!'.
"McMann turned around. He picked
up the bag. l asked where he was 60
ing. Ashore he said, to think. l
may 60 back to Kansas City, may.
But I'll just think a bit first And
he climbed into the ships boat. l new
er saw him again."
The hermit paused and gazed dream
lily into space.
That" he said, was my ~ great
lie, my masterpiece. A year after
ward l came up here on the mountain
to be a hermit"
LAS a result Of it," asked Miss Nor
ton.
YES" answered Mr.. Peters. Il told
the story to a friend. thought be
was a friend. So he was, but mar
ried. Ny wife got to hear Of it. so
you denied my existence? she said.
AS a joke I told her. The jokes on
you.' she says. That was the end.
She went her way, and l went mine.
I'd just unanimously gone her way
90 long 1 was . little dazed at first
with my freedom. After fighting for
a living alone for . time I eame up
here. It's cheap. get the solitude l
need for my book. Not long ago l
heard could 20 back to her If !
apologized."
"Stick to your guns" advised NJ.
Max.
Miss Norton rose and stood before
Mr.. Peters. She fxed him with her
~eyes-eyes into which no man could
gaze and 60 his way unmoved.
Just q tiny day she pleaded.
Mr.. Peters sighed. He rose.
Pm a fool" be said. II can't help
1t. III take chances on another day,
though nobody knows where it'll lead"
Brooklyn. maybe" whispered Lou
Max to Magee in much horror.
The hermit donned his coat. attended
to a few household duties and, led the
delegation outside. Dolefully he lock.
ed the door Of bis shack. The four
started down the mountain.
Back to Baldpate with our COOK"
said Mr.. Magee into the girls ear. Il
know now how Caesar felt when he
rode through Rome with bis ex-fOes
festooned about bis chariot wheels"
Mr.. Max again chose the q tri-
umphantly escOrting Mr.. Peters. Az
MI. Magee and the girl swung into the
lead the former was moved to recur
to the topic he had handled 50 anna
teurishly a short time before.
"In make you believe in me yet" he
said.
She did not turn her head.
1.-The moment we reach the inn." he
went IN. Il shall come to you with
the package Of money in my hand.
Then you'll believe | want to help
you. Tell me you'll believe then"
Very likely I SHALL" answered the
girl without interest. If you really
do intend to give me that money no
must know about it."
mo one shall know" be answered.
but you and me-"
They walked on in silence. Then
shyly the girl turned her head. Oh.
most assuredly she was desirable.
Clumsy IS had been his declaration
Mr.. Magee resolved to stick to it
through eternity.
I'm sorry | spoke as l did" she
said. Twill you forgive mey"
"Forgive you?" he cried. why. ~
And now" she interrupted. LET US
talk Of other things-Of ships and shoes
and sealing wax
"All the topics in the world" he re-
piled, "Can lead to but one with me-
"Ships?" asked the girl.
For hOneymOons." he suggested.
'Shoes?"
I'm some circles Of society l believe
they are dung at bridal parties"
And sealing wax
'On the license, isn't it," he queried.
They were then at the great front
door of Baldpate inn.
Inside. before the Office fire. Miss