Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-14
CHAPTER II Continued.
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bella. I feared she wouldn't appreci-
ate my bravery-women are dull some
times. 1t came to me maybe she would
be hurt If didn't keep my word, and
die. So I had to-disappear. l had
q friend mixed up in affairs at Bald
pate. No, I can't give his name.
told him my story. He was impressed
by my spirit. as you have been. He
gave me key he had-the key Of the
door opening from the east veranda
into the dining room. So I came up
here. came here to be alone, to
forgive and forget, to be forgot. And
maybe to plan a new haberdashery in
distant parts"
was it wour wedding necktie,"
asked Mr.M agee. "that you threw into
the safe when you saw me coming?'
NO" replied Mr.. Bland'~ signing
deeply. "A package of lettors, writ
ten to me by Arabella at various times.
want to forget EN- If kept them
on hand, / might look at them from
time to time. My great courage might
give way-you might find my body on
the stairs. That's why hid them"
Mr.. Magee laughed, and stretched
forth his hand.
believe me-" he said, "your touch
ing confidence in me will not be be-
trayed. I congratulate you on your
narrative power. You want my story.
Why am I here? l am not sure that
it is worthy to follow yours. But it
has it's good points-as have thought
it OUT
He went over to the table, and
picked up a popular novel upon which
his gaze had rested while the haber-
dasher spun his fabric Of love and
gloom. On the cover was picture
of very dashing maiden.
do you see that girl?" he asked.
"She is beautiful. is she not? Even
Arabella, in her most splendid mo-
ments. could get a few points from
her, fancy. Perhaps you are not
familiar with the important part such
a picture plays in the success OF a
novel today. The truth is, however,
that the noble art of fiction writing has
come to lean more and more heavily
on it's illustrators. The mere words
that go with the pictures grow less I'M
portant every day There are doz-
ems of distinguished novelists in the
country at this moment who might be
haberdashers if it weren't for the long,
lean. naughty ladies who are scattered
tastefully through their works.
Mr.. Bland stirred uneasily.
81 can see you are at a loss to know
what my search for seclusion and
privacy has to do with all this" con-
tinued Mr.. Magee. 81 am an artist.
For years l have drawn these lovely
ladies who make fiction salable to the
masses. Many novelist owes his
motor-car and his country house to my
brush. Two months ago, I determined
to give up illustration forever, and de-
vote my time to painting. ! turned
my back on the nOvelists. Can you
imagine what happened?'
"My imaginations a little tired,
apologized Mr.. Bland.
Never mind I'll tell you. The
leading authors whose work | had so
long illustrated saw ruin staring them
in the face. They came to me, on
their knees figuratively. They begged.
They pleaded. They hid in the vesti-
bule of my fiat. I should say my
studio. They even came up in my
dumb-waiter. having bribed the janitor.
They wouldn't take no for an answer.
In order to escape them and their
really pitiful pleadings. ! had to flee.
T happened to have a friend involved
in the management of Baldpate Inn. l
am not at liberty to give his name.
He gave me key. So here | am. |
rely on you to keep my secret. II
you perceive novelist in the distance,
lose no time in warning me-
/ Mr. Magee paused, chuckled inward
ly. He stood looking down at the love-
lorn haberdasher. The latter got to
his feet, and solemnly took Magee's
hand. .
'I-I-oh well, you've got me beat
a mile old man." he said.
"You don't mean to say" began the
hurt Magee.
ooh. that's all right" Mr.. Bland as
surad him. ~ believe every word of
it. It's all as real as the haberdashery
to me. III keep my eye peeled for
novelists What gets me Is, when you
boil our two hy-by-night stories down,
I've come here to be alone. You want
to be alone We can't be alone here
together. One of us must clear out"
Nonsense, answered Billy Magee.
"Ill be glad to have you here. Stay
as long as you like"
The haberdasher looked Mr.. Magee
fully in the eye. and the latter was
startled by the hostility he saw In the
others face.
"The point is said Mr.. Bland, 81
don't want you here. Why? Maybe
because you recall beautiful danes
on hook covers--and in that way,
Arabella. Maybe--but what's the use?
II put It simply. got to be alone
alone on Baldpate Mountain. won't
put you out tonight
see here, my friend" cried Mr..
Magee, ''your grief has turned your
head. You won't put me out tonight,
or tomorrow I'm here to stay.
You're welcome to do the same, if you
like. But you stay-with me. | know
YOU are man Of courage-but it
would take at least ten men of courage
to put me out of Balidpate Inn"
They stood eying each other for a
moment. BANDS thin lips twisted into
a sheer. well see," he said. well
settle all that in the morning." His
tone took on more friendly aspect.
.I,m going to pick out a downy couch
- o,n IF theso rooms3 he said "and