The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1914-04-03

the summer folks aren't carried over
into the winter" be said. ''lmagine a
Mrs. Clark asked to sit at table with
the mayor Of Reuton and his pictur-
esque but somewhat soiled friend. Mr..
Max. l hope the dinner ia o huge sue
cess"
The girl laughed.
'"The natural nervousness OF a host.
she remarked. Don't worry. The
hermit and his tins wont fail YOU
Together they strolled to ii window.
The snow had begun to fall again. and
the lights Of the little hamlet below
showed but dimly through the white
blur.
Il want you to know said the girl,
that trust you now And when the
time comes. as it will soon-tonight-I
am going to ask you to help me-"
She stopped and looked very serious
b. into Mr.. Magee's face.
I'm mighty glad he answered in a
low tone. From the moment | saw
you weeping in the station I've want.
| GU " NC VI hCip " yVu. IL
agent advised me not to interfere. He
said to become involved with a weep
ing woman meant trouble. The fool.
AS though any trouble
"He was right" put in the girl; 1T
probably will mean trouble
LAS though any storm" finished MIR.
Magee, would not be worth the rain
lo-, - .,.,,, .,,:l. - tho onI
"A very fancy figure" laughed she.
But storms aren't nice"
There are a few Of u.s." replied Ma
gee, who can be merry through the
worst Of them because of the rainbow
to come
For answer she fattened her finely
modelled nose into shapelessness against
the cold pane.
What Mr.. Magee f%ippantly termed
his dinner party was seated at last.
and there began a meal destined to
linger long in the memories Of those
who partook of it. Puzzled beyond
words, the host took stock of his
guests. Opposite him. at the foot Of
the table. he could see the lined tired
face of Mrs. Norton, dazed. uncompre-
hending. u little frightened. At his
right the great red acreage of Cargan's
face held defiance and some muse
ment; beside it sneered the cruel face
tenance told a story Of worry and i'm
potent anger. And on Mr.. Magee's
left sat the professor. bearded. specta-
cled, calm. seemingly undisturbed by
this queer furry Of events, beside the
fair girl of the station, who trusted
Magee at last. In the first few mo-
ments of silence Mr.. Magee compared
her delicate features with the coarse.
knowing face of the woman at the ia
ble's foot and inwardly answered mo"
Without the genial complement Of
talk the dinner began. Mr.. Peters ap-
peared with another variety of his can
ned soup, whereupon the silence was
broken by the gastronomic endeavors
of Mr.. Max and the mayor. Mr.. Ma
gee was rejecting that conversation
must be encouraged. when Cargan sud-
denly spoke.
Il hope I amt putting you folks out
none" he remarked. with obvious sar-
casm. 1T amt my habit to drop in
unexpected like this. But business
Were delighted. I'm sure" said MI.
Magee politely.
II suppose you want to know why
I'm here" the mayor went on. well"
he hesitated-'it's like this
Dear Mr.. Cargan,' Magee broke In,
"spare US. l pray, and spare yourself.
We have had explanations until we
are weary. We have decided to drop
them altogether and just to take it for
granted that. in the words Of the song.
we're here because we're here"
can right" replied Cargan. evidently
relieved. THAT suits me. I'm tired
explaining anyhow. There's a bunch
of reformers r0se up lately in Reuton.
Maybe you've heard about EN-. A
lovely bunch. A white necktie and q
half portion Of brains apiece. They
say they're going to do for me at the
next election"
Mr.. Max laughed harsbly from the
vicinity of his soup.
They wrote the first joke book,
them people," he said.
WELL" went on Cargan, there amt
nobody so Insignificant and pifling that
people won't listen to EN- when they
attack a man in public life. So I've
had to reply to this comic opera bunch.
and. as l say, I'm about wore out ex-
planning. I've had to explain that
never stole the town l used to live in
In Indiana and that l didn't stick up
my father with a knife. 1t gets mo-
noton0us. So I'm much obliged to you
for passing the explanations up. We
won't bother you long. me and Lou.
! got a little business here. and then
Wen mosey along. Wen clear out
about 9 O'clock"
NO." protested Magee. $50 soon?
We must make 1t pleasant for you
while you stay. l always hate hosts
who talk about their servants. l have
- A-S--I - 49, IL 1919 49,