The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-03-17
he could Not follow, even in thought

he could hot follow, even in thought
 Selecting a log of the hermit's cut ting from the stock beside the hearth, MT. Magee tossed 1t on the fire. There followed a shower Of sparks and a heod of red light in the room. Through this light Kendrick advanced to Ma gees side, and the first of the Bald pate hermits saw that the mans face was lined by care, that his eyes were tired even under the new light in them, that his mouth was twisted bit terly.
 Poor devil" thought Magee.
 Kendrtck drew up chairs for himself and Magee and they sat down. Be hind them the bulky Mrs. Norton dog ed, dreaming perhaps of her Reuton boarding house, while Miss Thornh1ll and the professor talked intermittently 1n low tones. The ranks at Baldpate were thinning rapidly; before long the place must settle back with sigh In the cold to wait for its first summer girl
 "Mr. Magee," said Kendrick nervous 1y. t&ycu have become involved in an unkind. tragic story. do not mean the affair of the bribeI refer to the matter between Hayden and myself.
 eff you had rather not''- began Ma gee.
 'sNo,'' replied Kendrick, "I prefer that you should know. It was you who took the pistol from-his hand. I k do not believe that even can tell you all that was in Hay1en's mind when he went into that other room and closed the door. It seems to me pre- posterous that man of his sort should. take his life under the circum- stances. feel somehow that there is a part of the story even I do not know. But let that be-
 He bowed his head in his hands.
 .Ever since I came into this room" he went on. "the eyes of a poInpous little man have been following me about They have constantly recalled to me the nightmare of my life. You have noticed, no doubt, the pictures of the admiral that decorate these walls ?"
 sI have,' replied Magee. He gazed curiously at the nearest of the DOT traits. How persistently this almost mythical starched man wave. in and out of the melodrama at Baldpate inn. i seWell,' continued Kendrick, ''the ad- nnirals eyes haunt me. Perhaps you know that he plays a game-a game of solitaire. I have good reason to re member that game. It is silly incon-
 
 believe that it once sent a man to hell, 7 He stopped.
 ssI am beginning in the middle of my story,'' he apoIogized- "Let me go back. Six years ago I was hardly the man you see nowe-I was at least twen- ty years younger. Hayden and work cd together in tAe office of the Subur- ban railway. We had been close friends at college. believed in him and trusted him, although I knew he had certain weaknesses. T was a happy man had risen rapidly, was young, the future was lying golden before me, and [ was engaged. The daughter of Henry Thornhi1, our employer-the girl you have met here at Baldpate- had promised to be my wife. Hayden had also been suItor, but when our l engagement was announced he came 1 to me like a man, and I thought his words were sincere.
 "One day Hayden told me of a chance we might take which would make us rich. It was not altogether within the law, but 1t was the sort of thing that other men were doing con stantly, and Hayden assured me thai as he had arranged matters it was ab- solutely safe. My great sin is that ] agreed we should take the chance, a sin for which have paid, MT. Magee over and over."
 Again he paused and gazed steadily at the fire. Again Magee noted thf gray at his temples, the aftermath yoi 1 fevers in his cheeks.
 ssWe took the chance" he went on "For a time erything went well Then one clustering March night Hay. den came to me and told me we were certain to be caught. We arranged tG meet the next night at the Angots cfuE and decide on what we should do. CTo be Continued.l