The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-02-23

these 4all for love of a woman her mits you read about in books. Of course have to pretend am, in sum mer, in order to sell the cards and do my whole duty by the inn manage ment. A lot of the women ask me in soft tones about the great disappoint7 ment that drove me to old Baldpate, and I give lem various answers, ac- cording to how I feel. Speaking to you as a friend and considering the fact that it's the dead of winter, I may say there was little or no romance in my life.''
 "Back to nature, in other words," re- marked MT. Magee.
 .Yes, sir; back with a rush. was down to the village this morning for a few groceries, and stopped off at Quimby's, as I often do. He told me about you. help him a lot around the inn, and we arranged was to stop in and start your fire and do any other little errands you might want done. I thought we ought to get acquainted, you and me, being asf we're both liter ary men, after manner of speaking
 s'No?'' cried MT. Magee.
 tsYes,'' said the hermit of Ba1dpate. tsI dip into that work a little now and then. Some of my verses on the joys of solitude have appeared in print-on the postcards sell to the guests in the summer. But my life work, as you might call it, is book I've had under way for some time. It's called sim ply Kornan s3last that one word; i; but, oh, the meaning in it! That book is going to prove that all the trouble in the world from the beginning of time was caused by females. Not just say so, mind you. Prove it!''
 tsA difficult task, Pm afraid, smiled Magee.
 s'Not dificult-long, corrected the hermit. sWhen started out four years ago I thought it would just be a case Of chapter on Eve and honor able mention for Cleopatra and Helen of Troy and few more like that and the thing would be done. But as I got Into the subject I was fairly buried under new evidence. Then MT. Carne- gle came along and gave Upper Asque- wan Falls library. It's wonderful to think the great works that man will be responsible for. I've dedicated sWO- man, to him. Since the new library I've dug up Information about thou sand disasters never dreamed of be fore, and I contend that if you go back ways in any one of 'em you'll find the fluffy little lady that started the whole rumpus. So I hunt the wo- man. I reckon the French would ca1I me the greatest cherchez la femme in history ~
 .'A fascinating pursuit. laughed MT. Magee. t'pm glad you've told me about 1t, and I shall watch the prog ress of the work with interest, al- though 1sean't say that I entirely agree with you. Here and there is a woman who more than makes amends for whatever trouble her sisters have caused One, for instance, with golden hair and eyes that when they weep
 ssYou're young,'' interrupted the lit- tie man, rising. saThere ain't no use to debate it with you. I. reckon I'll start your fre.''
 He went into the outer room, and MT. Magee lay for a few moments listening to his preparations about the fireplace.
 tsI say, MT. Peters, he cried, leap ing from bed and running into the oth- CT room, where the hermit was per suading a faint blaze, eve an idea You can cook, can't you?''
 Cook ?'' repeated the hermit. 'sWell, yes; I've had to learn a few things 1E5 lars the way do:''
 ssThe very man," rejoicedi Mr. Ma gee. ssYou must stay here and cook for me-for us.''
 aUs3'' asked the hermit, staring.
 "Yes. I forgot to tell you. After MT. Quimby left me last night two otn- CT amateur hermits hove in view. One is a haberdasher with 9 broken heart''-
 sW0mangs cried the triuinphant Pe- ters.
 s'Name, ArabelIa,,' laughed Magee. '-The others college professor who made an indiscreet. remark about bonds. You won't mind them, I'm sure, and they may be able to help you a. lot with your great work.'' T don't know what Quimby will says studied the hermit. 'T reckon he'll run 'em out. He's against this thing-afraid of fire"
 "Quimby will come later,'' MT. Ma gee assured him, drawing on a dress ing gown. "Just now the idea Is g little water in wonder tub and nice cheerful breakfast after. It's going to pay you lot better than selling postcards to romantic ladies, promise you. I won't take you away from a work for which the world is panting without more than making it up to you financially. Where do you stand as a coffee maker7''
 await till you taste it," said Peters reassuringly. "I1l bring you up some water.''
 He started for the door, but MT. Ma gee preceded him.
 "The haberdasher,' he explained, sleeps below, and he's 8 nervous man. He might commit the awful error of shooting the only cook on Baldpate mountain.''
 l MT. Magee went out into the hall and called from the depths the figure l of Bland, fully attired in his dashy l garments and looking tawdry and tired l in the morning light.
 five been up hours" he remarked tfE7nard somehadv knockfne. around