Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-04-28
SEVEN KEYS TO
-. BALDPATE -.
BY EARL DERR BIGGERS
copyrisht 1918 by sobbs Merrill Company.
BY EARL DERR BIGGER
Copyright, 1918 by the Bobbs Merrill Company.

said Magee; they have given me back
my accomplice, safe and sound!"
They were black, lonesome gods"
she replied, land they kept whisper
ing fearful things in my ear 1 could
not understand. I'm glad they didn't
keep me-"
80 am l." The crowd surged
about them. Many in it smiled and
spoke admiringly to the girl. It's
great to be acquainted with the hero
inc of the hour" Mr.. Magee continu-
ed. Il congratulate you. You have
overthrown an empire of graft, 1t
seems"
Alone and unaided," she quoted
smiling mockingly up into his face.
Absolutely alone and entirely un-
aided" said Billy Magee. "I'll swear
to that in court"
AS Mr.. Magee and the girl turned
they beheld the hermit of Baldpate
staring with undisguised eXultation
at the tall buildings of Reuton.
why, it's Mr.. Peters," the girl
cried.
YES" replied Magee. His predic-
tion 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 g!ad!" 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'-
"Mr. Magee tells me you're going
back, after all?" she broke in.
YES" returned Peters. Il knew it.
| 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 al
ways 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-and 1 knew
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 Ell
len after all these years. AS 1 told
Mr.. Magee, 1 wish had an inaugural
address or something like that"
II have it," responded Evelyn
Rhodes. I'll write a 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. 1t
is filled, isn't it?'
well, yes" agreed Mr.. Peters. Il
reckon you might call it that"
"And then you can send her copy
of the paper and follow it up in per-
son."
"a good idea," commented Billy
Magee.
"At first glance, yes" studied Mr..
Peters; but on the other hand, 1t
would be the death knell Of my post
card business, and I'm calculating to
go back to Baldpate next summer and
take it up again. No, I'm afraid l
can't let it be generally known that
I've quit living in a shack on the
mountain for love of somebody or
other"
"Once more" smiled Magee, big
business muzzles the press"
Not that 1 amt obliged to you for
the Offer" added the hermit.
| "Miss-er-Rhodes and l 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
reduction on all postcards, just for old
times sake. Now, I 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. 1t was
a typical up state town. deep in the
throes of the holiday season. The
windows of the stores were green with
holly. The faces Of the passers by re-
fiected the excitements of Christmas
and of the upheaval in civic politics
which were upon them almost to-
gether.
Tell me-" said the girl, ARE you
glad-at the way it has turned out!
Are you glad was no lady Captain
Kidd?"
1T has all turned out-or is about
to turn out-beautifully," Mr.. Magee
answered. You may remember that
on the veranda of Baldpate inn L
Il spoke of one summer hotel Irritation
that was going to prove more than
that. Let me-
Il Her laugh interrupted.
You don't even know my name
Whats the matter with Evelyn
Rhodes?" suggested Magee.
4 Nothing. It's perfectly good
name. But it isn't mine. l just write
under it."
!, "I prefer Mary, anyhow" smiled
Billy Magee. She called you that
It's Mary
Mary what?"
You have no idea" said he. chow
immaterial that is"
They came upon a throng blocking
the sidewalk i'm front of a tall build
ing of stone. The eyes of the throng
were on bulletins. 1t muttered much
as they had muttered who gathered
in the station.
THE office of the Star" explained
the girl. "The crowd is looking for
new excitement. Do you know, Tor
two whole hours this morning we had
on exhibition in the window a certain
, lpackage-a package of money!!