Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-17

stairs.
"All finished, gentlemen" he asked
coming forward. Nov, this Is solid
comfort, amt It? I reckon when you
get few days of this, you'll all be-
come hermits, and build yourselves
shacks on the mountain, Solid com
fort. No woman to make you put on
overshoes when you 60 out, or lecture
you about the effects Of alcohol on the
stomach. Heaven, call It."
PETERS" said Mr.. Magee, 1--WE have
been wondering If you will stay on
here and cook for us. We need you.
How about it,"
"Well-rll be glad to help you out
the hermit replied. Il guess can
manage to give satisfaction, seeing
there amt no women around. If there
was, wouldn't think of, it. Yes. I'll
stay and do what can to boost the
hermit life in your estimation. /" T.
He stopped. His eyes were on the
dining.room door. toward which Mr.,
Magee's back was turned. The jaw OF
Peters fell, and his mouth stood wide
open. Behind the underbrush of beard
very surprised face was discernible.
Mr. Magee turned quickly. A few
feet inside the door stood the girl OF
the station, weeping no more but radi'
ant with smiles. Back of her was the
determined impossible companion OF
yesterday.
ooh, mamma" laughed the girl
we're too late for breakfast. Isn't 1t a
shame?"
Mr.. BANDS lean hands went quick.
ly to adjust his purple tie. Professor
Bolton looked every inch the owl as
he blinked in dazed fashion at the blue
corduroy vision. Gingerly Mr.. Peters
set down the plates he had taken from
the table. still neglecting his open
mouth
Mr.. Magee rose from the table, and
went forward with outstretched hand.
CHAPTER V.
The Mayor Casts Shadow Before.
Prom tears to smiles" said Mr.. Ma
gee, taking the girls hand. What
worked the transformation? Not the
! Commercial House, I know, for
passed it last evening""
mo, hardly the Commercial House,
laughed the girl. Rather the sun
shine of a winter morning. the brisk
walk up the mountain, and the sight OF
the Hermit Of Baldpate with eyes like
saucers staring at little girl who
once bought his postal cards"
"Then you know Mr.. Peters?' in
quired Magee.
rs that his name? You see,
never met him in private life--he was
| just the hermit when | knew him.
used to come to Baldpate in the sum
mers. and send his cards back to the
folks at home, and dream dreams OF
! his love-story when from my window
| I'm so glad to meet Mr.. Peters IN
| formally"
She held ont her hand, but Peters
| by long practise wary of women. had
burdened himself with breakfast plates
which prevented his clasping 1t. He
muttered "How dye do?'> and fed to
ward the door. narrowly averting What
would have proved a serious collision
| with the large woman on the way.
"Mr. Peters meets so few OF YOU
sex in winter" Magee apologized, "yo'
must pardon his clumsiness. This
gentleman"-he indicated the profes
sor, who arose--'is Thu adeus Bolton
a distinguished member of certain
university faculty. who has fed t.
Baldpate to escape the press OF Amerl
ca. And this is Mr. Bland, who hides
here from the world the scars OF 6
broken heart But let lis not go into
details"
= The girl smiled brightly. "And yor
-" she asked.
"William Hallowell Magee," he re
turned bowling low. Il have nea
little collection of stories accounting
for my presence here, from which
shall allow you to choose later. NO
to mention the real one, which is sim
pie almost to a fault"
81 am so happy to meet you all, sale
the girl. eve shall no doubt become
! very good friends. For mamma and
have also come to Baldpate lnn-tt
stay" aa.- ....-.
Mr. Bland opened wide his usually
narrow eyes. and ran his hand thought
fully over his one days beard. Pros
essor Bolton blinked his astonishment
Mr.. Magee smiled. ...,
| 81 for one, am delighted to hear 1t,
he said. ,s...., ....
my NAME" went on the girl, "is
Mary Norton May | present my
mother. Mrs. Norton?"
The older woman adopted what was
' obviously her society manner. once
again Mr.. Magee felt pang OF regre
that this should be the parent of CIR
SO charming.
81 certainly am pleased to meet yol
ALL" she said in her heavy voice
"Ain't it a lovely morning after the
storm? The suns almost binding.
Some explanation put in Mis-:
Norton quickly, is due you If I am tt
thrust myself thus upon you. an
perfectly willing to tell why | an
here-but the matter mustn't leak out
| can trust you, I'm sure
| Mr. Magee drew up chairs, and the
two women were seated before thu
fire.
"The bandits of Baldpate,' he re
marked flippantly, glancing at the two
men, "have their own, code Of honor
and the first rule is never to betray
pal"
"splendid!" laughed the girl. "Yo,