Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-04-16
Lu 81 = :
rssyrishA The RobhsMe,rill Company

| Mrs. Norton painted up to them.
| Hello. dearie." she cried. Thanh
heaven you're safe. Have you been ul
to the house? How's Sadie getting
along? I just know everything is
topsyturvy."
| Not at ALL" replied Miss Rhodes
| Breakfast passed off like clockworl
at seven, and even Mr.. Golden had nc
complaints to offer. Dear, must
thank you for all you've done for me
| 1t was Splendid
mot now objected Mrs. Norton
II got to get up to the house now
What with Christmas only two days
away. and lot of shopping to be done
I can't linger in this drafty station
for thanks. I want you to bring Mr.
Magee right up to the house for lunch
I'll have a meal ready thatll show him
what suffering must have been going
on inside me while sat still watching
that hermit man burlesquing the cook
business
Delighted" said Magee. ''Ill find
you a cab" He led the way to row
of such vehicles, Mrs. Norton and the
girl following.
Seems like you're always putting
me in cab remarked the older
woman as she climbed inside 81
don't know what Mary and me would
have done if it hadn't been for you.
You're mighty handy person to have
around. Mr.. Magee. Amt he, dearie?'
She winked openly at Magee.
"And a delightful one," agreed the
girl. in a matter-of-fact tone.
NTrc NOrtNp uyoc 6rivon aWoV I'm tho
snowy street As Mr.. Magee and the
girl turned, they beheld the Hermit of
Baldpate staring with undisguised ex-
ultation at the tall buildings of Reuton.
why, it's Mr.. Peters!" the girl
cried
yes" replied Magee. Ills predic-
ton has come true. We and our ex-
citement proved too much for him.
He's going back to Brooklyn and to
her.
I'm so glad she cried. She
stretched out her hand to the hermit.
He took it, somewhat embarrassed.
"Glad to see YOU" he said. you
certainly appear to have stirred things
up, miss. But women are good at that.
I've always said"
back, after all?' she broke in.
I told you So 1t 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
always been hard, and I've heard the
white lights calling. calling-why, I've
even heard her-heard Ellen. This
fall you came, and there was some
thing doing on Baldpate- Iknew
that when you went, I'd just naturally
have to go, too. So-I'm going
Splendid" commented the girl.
It'll be somewhat delicate con-
tinued the hermit, bursting in on
Ellen after all these years. AS I told
Mr. Magee, wish had an inaugural
address. or something like that"
Il have It," responded Evelyn
Rhodes I'll write story about you
for tomorrow mornings paper. All
about how the Christmas spirit has
overcome the Hermit of Baldpate, and
how he's going back to his wife, with
his heart filled with love for her-it
is filled, isn't it?''
.'Well, yes" agreed Mr.. Peters. 81
reckon you might call 1t that
'And then you can send her copy
of the paper, and follow 1t up in
person."
"a good idea commented Billy
Magee.
'At first glance yes" studied Peters.
But, on the other hand, it would be
the death knell of my postcard bust
ness, and I'm calculating to go back
to Baldpate next summer and take 1t
up again. No, I'm afraid I 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 muzzles the press
mot that amt obliged to you for
the Offer" added the hermit.
"Of course said the girl, II under
stand. And I wish you the best of
luck-along with merry Christmas"
'"rhe same to YOU" replied the her
nit heartily.
"Miss-er-Miss Rhodes and I will
see you again" predicted Mr.. Magee,
next summer at Baldpate Inn"
The hermit looked at the girl, who
turned her face away.
Il hope it'll turn out that way, I'm
sure" he said "I'll let you have a
reduction on all postcards, Just for
old times sake. Now l must find out
about the New York trains
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 upstate town, deep
in the throes of the holiday season.
The windows of the stores were green
with holly; the faces of the passers-by
reflected the excitements of Christ
mas and of the upheaval in civic poll
tics which were upon them almost to-
gether.
Tell me-" said the girl, ARE yo,,
glad-at the way it has turned out?
Are you glad | was no lady Captain
Kidd?"
ut has all turned out-or is about to
turn out-beautifully," Mr.. Magee an