The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-07-25


gsss on the haberdasher. and there
was Q startlingly ironic ymile on biz
face.
II know. Mr. Bland" he said, that
my safety 10 your dearest wish"
Ie was past o'clock. The early
twilight crept up the mountain. and
she shadows began to leDgthen In the
great bare ONCE Of Baldpate INN. In
the red flicker Of freight Mr.. Magee
eat and pondered. The interval since
luncheon had passed laxily. He was
no nearer 60 guessing which OF Bald.
pate inns winter guests hugged close
tse precious package. Exasperated
sngry. he waited for he knew moi
what. restless oil the while 10 act, but
saving not the giimmer Of IN inspira.
tson a to what his course ought to be.
He heard the rustic Of skirts ON the
eair landing end looked up. Down
TIE broad stairway. 20 well designed
- serve as q show window for the
eartoriai trfumphs Of Baidpate's gay
summer people. came the tall hand
some girl who had the night before set
all his plans awry.
Now. for the flrst time he looked
upon her as q 6esh and blood girl. not
"a the red In her olive cheeks, the fire
n her dark eyes and realized that her
interest In that package of money
might DO something more than another
queer Quirk In the tangle Of events.
She smiled q friendly smile at Ma
go and took the chair he offered.
Last night. Mr.. Aagee," she said.
II told you frankly why had come TO
baldpate Inn. You were good enough
to say that you would help me II You
could. The time has come when you
can. think" =
~fesr answered Magee. His heart
sank. What now? -
u must confess that ! spied this
morning" she went on. 'Tt was rude
OF me. perhaps. But I think almost
anything is excr ,abIe under the cir
cumstances. dC you? I witnessed q
scene In the hall above-Mr. Magee. I
know who has the $2O0.OO0!
t"You En0wY cried Magee. His heart
eave Q great bound. At last! And
tben-he stopped. I'm afraid I must
AK you not to tell me-" he added
sadly.
Tho girl looked at him In wonder.
She was OF type common In Magee's
worid-delicate, finely reared, sensi.
tive. True. In her pride and haughti-
neas she suggested the snow capped
heights OF the eternal hills. But at
sight Of those feminine heights Billy
Aagee had always been one to seize
his alpenstock In q more determined
Grip and climb. Witness his attentions
~ the superb Helen Faulkner. He
had . moment Of faltering. Here was
Girl who at least did not doubt him.
who ascri5ed 10 him the virtues of q
Gentleman. who was glad to trust In
him. Should he transfer bis allegi-
sscsf No. he could hardly do that
now.
"fou ask me not to tell you." repeat.
Cd the girl slowly.
That demands an explanation" re-
piled Billy Magee. II want you to
understand-to be certain that I would
delight t. help you II could. But the
net 10 that before you came I gave
my word to secure the package you
speak Of for-another woman. I can.
not break my promise to her."
~ see" she answered. Her tone
was cool.
I'm very sory." Magee went on
But as matter Of fact I seem to be
OF very little service To any one. Just
now would give q great deal TO have
the Information you were about to
givs me. But since could not use 1t
helping you. you will readily see that
must not listen. l'm sorry"
I'm sorry. too" replied the girl.
Thank you very much-for telling me.
Now I must-go forward--alone." She
smiled unhappily.
I'm afraid you must" answered Bill.
" Magee.
On the stairs appeared the slim flg-
urs OF the other girl. Her great eyes
we're wistfuI. her face was pale. She
came toward them through the red
nrelight MIR. Magee saw what fool
ne had been to waver In his allegiance
even for q moment. for he loved her.
wanted her. surely. The snow capped
heights are inspiring. but for more
cOmpanionable IN the brook that spar
kles In the valley.
ITS rather dull. isn't it?" asked Miss
Norton OF the Thornhill girl. BY the
side OF the taller woman she seemed
slight. almost childish. Have YOU
seen the pictures Of the admiral. Miss
Thornhill? Looking at them Is our
one diversion"
81 do not care to see them. thank
you." Myra Thornhill replied. moving
toward the stairs. He Is a very dear
friend Of my father" She passed nm
and out Of sight.
Miss Norton turned away from the
Ore. and Mr.. Mngee rose hastily 70
follow. He stood close behind her.
gazing down mt her golden hair. shin.
Inering I'm the dark.
1--we just been thinking" he said