The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-08-22


romance to me l might have babbled
OF shady corners. Of whisperings on
the stair. Of walks down the mountain
In the moonlight or even OH the hotel
balcony" She smiled gayly at Magee.
Perhaps tomorrow. too. the word
might mean such rapturous things to
me. But tonight-llfe Is too real and
earnest tonight Servicc-Professo
Bolton was right-service is often rO-
nance. 1t may mean the discovery of
= serum-it may mean so cruel q thing
as the blighting Of another's life ro-
nance" She gazcd steadily ut the
stOlid Cargan. 1T may mean putting
an end forever to those picturesque
parades past the window of the little
room on Main street.-the room where
the boys Gun always find the mayor of
ReutOn."
Still she gazed steadily into Cargan's
eyes. And with an amused smile the
mayor gaxed back.
"YOu wouldn't be 80 cruel as that"
he assured her easily; - nice. attrac-
i've glrl IKE yOu."
The dinner was at an end. Without
a word the sly little professor rose
from the table and hurriedly ascended
the stairs. Mr.. Magee watched him
disappear and resolved to follow quick
ly on his heels. But first he paused
to give his own version Of the word
under discussion.
"Strange." he remarked. that none
OF you gets the picture do. Romance
1t is here-at your feet In Baldpate
Inn. A man climbs the mountain to
be alone with his thoughts. to forget
the melOdrama Of life. to get away
from the swift action Of the world and
mediate. He is alone for very near
an hour Then q telephone bell tin
kles and youth rises out of the dark
to prate Of lost Arabella and haber-
dashery. A shot rings out, as the In
memorial custom with shots. and In
comes q professor of comparative IT.
erature. with a perforation In his der
by hat. A professional hermit arrives
to teach the amateur the fine points
OF the game. A charming maid comes
in-to0 late for brea kfast-but In plen.
ty Of time for walks ON the balcony In
the moonlight. The mayor Of q mu.
nicipality condescends to stay for din
ner. A battle In the snow ensues.
There is weird talk 0f-a sum of
money. More guests arrive. Dark
hints OF seventh key. Why, bless
you. you needn't stir from Baldpate
Inn In search Of your romance"
He crossed the door hastily and nut
one foot on the lower step of Bald.
pate's grand stairway. He kept II
there. For from the shadows Of the
landing Professor Bolton emerged. his
blasted derby once more on bis head,
MS overcoat buttOned tight, his ear.
NUNS In place. his travelling bag and
green umbrella in tow.
What, professor" cried MaRee.
you're leavingT'
Now. truly. the end Of the drama
had come. Mr.. Maeee felt his heart
beat wildly.
YES" the old man was saying slow.
ly. II am about to leave. The deci.
sion came suddenly. l am sorry to
go. Certainly have enjoyed these
chance meetings"
"See here. Doc" said Mr.. Bland. un.
easily feeling Of his purple tie. you're
-ot going back and let them reporters
have another fling at your"
II fear l must" replied the old man.
my duty calls. Yes, they will hound
me. ! shall hear much Of peroxide
blonds. ] shall be asked again to name
the ten greatest In history-a difficult.
not to say dangerous task. But I must
face the-er-music, as the vulgar ex.
preston goes. I bid you goodby, Mr..
Bland. We part friends. I am sure"
He turned to Magee.
II regret more than can say" he
continued, "?artih, from you. MY
eyes fell upon you cgst on entering
this place We have had exciting times
together. My dear Miss Norton. know
Ing you has refreshed an old mans
heart. ! might compare you to anoth-
or with yellow locks. but leave that
to my yOunger-er-colleagues. Mr..
Cargan-goOdby. My acquaintance
with you shall always look back
on
But the mayor Of Reuton, Max and
Bland closed In ON the old man.
Nov, look hero, Doc" interrupted
Cargan. you're bluffing. Do you get
me' You're trying to put something
over. I don't want to be rough. like
you. But got to get q glimpse Mt the
inside OF that satchel. And got to
examine your personal makeup bit"
Dear. dear" smiled Professor Boil
ton. "You don't think I would steal7
A man In my position? Absurd! Look
through my poor luggage II you desire.
You will find nothing but the usual ap-
purtenances Of travel"
He stood dOcilely In the middle of
the floor and blinked ut the group
around him.
MIR. Magee waited to hear no more.
Quietly and quickly he disappeared up
the broad stair and tried the prOfes-
sor's door. 1t was locked. Inside he
could hear n window banging back