The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1914-03-13

COUjO SSc LII Tue O1W u&0t VI h soil
tary candle that be was q person Of
rather hilarious raiment. The candle
stood on the top Of the safe. and the
door Of the latter swung open. Sink
ing down on the steps 10 the dark. Mr..
Magee waited.
ing: how do you work this thing.
anyhow: I've tried every peg but the
right one. Hello. hello: want long
distame-R eutOn. 2S76 West Mr.. Andy
Rntter. viii you get him for me. sis.
terry
Another watt-a 'oug o~ne-ensued.
The candle sputtered. The young man
6dgeted in his chair. At last he spoke
again:
Hello: Andy? is that you. Andy!
what's the good word? As quiet as
the tomb Of Napoleon: Shall I close
up shop: Sure? What nexty Oh.
see here. Andy. Id die W here. Did
you ever hit a place like this in win
ter! can't-l-oh. we'll. Il he says
50. Yes: | could do that. But no
longer. | couldn't stand it long. Tell
him that. Tell him everything's o. K.
Yes. All right. Well. good night,
Andy"
He turned away from the switch
board. and as he did SO Mr.. Magee
walked calmly down the stairs toward
him. With a cry the young man ran
to the safe. threw a package inside
and swung shut the door. He turned
the knob Of the safe several times;
then he faced MI. Magee. The latter
saw something glitter in his hand.
Good evening"" remarked Mr.. Ma
gee pleasantly.
What are you doing here?' cried
the youth wildly.
Il live here" Mr.. Magee assured him.
Won't you come up to my room-it's
right at the head Of the stairs. have
a fire. you know"
Back into the young mans lean.
hawklike face crept the assurance that
belonged with the gay attire he wore.
He dropped the revolver into bis peck
ct and smiled a sneering smile.
You gave me a turn" he said "Of
course you live here. Are any of the
other guests about? And who won the
tennis match today"
You are facetious.' MIR. Magee
smiled toe so much the better. A
lively companion is the very sort |
should have ordered tonight. Come
upstairs"
"AlI right" he said. But I'll have
to ask you to 80 frst. You know the
way" His right hand sought the pock-
ct into which the revolver had fallen.
You honor my poor and drafty
house." said Mr.. Magee. This way"
He mounted the stairs. After him
followed the youth Of flashy habili-
ments, looking fearfuliy about him as
be went. He seemed surprised that
they came to, Magee.s room without in
cident. Inside, Mr.. Magee drew up an
easy chair before the fire and offered
his guest q cigar. aaE :
"You must he coid.". he said. "Sit
here. "A bad night. stranger al they
remark in Stories"
"YOu've said it." replied the young
a accepting the cigar. Thanks"
He walked to the door leading into the
hall and opened it about a foot. I'm
afraid" he explained loosely. we'll
set to talking and miss the breakfast
bell" He dropped into the chair and
lighted his cigar at a candle end. Say.
you never can tell, can you? Climbing
up old BaIdpate l thought to myself
that hotel certainly, makes the Sahara
desert look like a cozy corner. And
here you are. as snug and comfortable
and at home as il you were in a Har-
lem fat. You never can tell. And
what now? The story of my life?"
You might relate" Mr.. Magee told
him. that portion Of it that has led
you trespassing on a gentleman seek
ing s~eclusion at Baldpate inn"
'Trespassing. eh"' said the young
man. Far be it from me to quarrel
with a man who smokes as good
cigars as you do. but there's something
l haven't quite doped out. That is
who's trespassing me or your
my right here" said Mr.. Magee, "is
indisputablc."
Its a big word" replied the other.
but you can tack it to my right here
and tell no lie. We can't dispute, 80
let's drop the matter. With that SET
tied I'm encouraged to pour out the
story of why you see me here tonight.
far from the madding crowd. Have
you a stray tear? You'll need it. It's
a sad. touching story. concerned with
haberdashery and a trusting heart.
and a fair woman-fair. but, oh, how
false"
Proceed" laughed Mr.. Magee. "I'm
an admirer OF the vivid Imagination.
Don't curb yours, l beg Of you"
Its all straight" said the other in
a hurt tone. Every word true. My
name is Joseph Bland. Ny profession.
until love entered my life. was that
Of haberdasher and Outfitter. In the
city of ReutOn. fifty miles from here.
l taught the Beau Brummels Of the
thoroughfares what was, doing in Lon
don in the necktie line. ! sold them
coats with padded shoulders and col
l-.. As-l r,l s---SRu- -,~-