The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-03-07
EARL DERR
BIOOERS
Copyright. 1915. by the Bobbs-Merril
 Company
(Continued)

TIT eeMe.'' she replied. ''Nkr. Ma gee, I've confession to make. 1n- vented the maid. It seemed 50 hOr- ridIy unconventional and shocking-I couldn't admit that was alone. That was why wouldn't let you build a fire for me-
 Don't worry,'' smiled Magee. You'll find. we have all the conveniences up here. I'll present you to a chaperon shortly-a Mrs. Norton, who is here with her daughter. Allow me to i'm troduce MT. Cargan and MT. Max
 The girl bowed with a rather star tied air, and MT. Cargan mumbled something that had s.pIeasure' in it.. In the office they found Professor Bol- ton and MT. Bland sitting g1oemily before the fireplace.
 ssGot the news, Magee 2'' asked the. haberdasher- Peters has done dis appearing act"
 It was evident to Magee that every body looked upon Peters as his crea- ture and laid the hermit's sins at his door. He laughed.
 .rm going to head a search party shortly" he said Don't I detect the odor of coffee in the distanceY'
 Mrs Norton,s' remarked Professor f ed to do what she can" The girl of the station came through the dining room door. It was evident she had no share in the general gloom that the hermit's absence cast over BaIdpate. Her eyes were bright with the gIortes Of morning on mountain. for petty annoyances-
 ssI,e. e<n4f7 f<S f0- gee Isn't it bracing? Have you been outside? Oh, r.
 Miss Norton-Miss ThornhiH,'' ,'' ex- plained Magee. Miss Thornhill has the sixth key, you know. She came last night without any of us know fng.''
 With ukewarm smiles, the two girls shook hands. Outwardly the Glances they exchanged were nonchalant and casual, but somehow MT Magee felt that among the matters they establish ed were social position, wit, cunning, guile and taste in dress. |
 When the rather unsatisfactory sub stitute for breakfast was consumed, Mir. Magee rose briskly.
 NOW" he said, 'Tm going to run up to the he--ait's shack and reason with him as begt I can. I shall paint In touching colors our sad plight If the man has an atom of decencys'-
 '.A walk on the mountain in the morning. said Miss Thornhill quickly splendid I''-
 sWonderful,' put in Miss Norton. ssI, for one, can't resist Evenethough I haven't been invited, I'm going alongs She smiled sweetly She had beaten the other girl by the breadth of hair, and she knew it. New glo- ries shone in her eyes.
 "C pod for your said Magee Tine evil hour of explanations was at hand SUI ely. Run up and get your things"
 While Miss Norton was gone Mir. Cargan and Lou Max engaged in ear nest converse near a window. After which MT Max pulled on his over coat.
 sI ain't been invited either, '' he said, "but I reckon I'h go along. always wanted to see what a hermit lived like when he's really buckled down to the hermit business. And then walk in the morning has always been my first rule for health. You don't mind, do you?'
 .sWho am I,'' asked Magee, "that I should stand between you and health? Come along, by all means.''
 The three went out through the front door and found under the snow a hint
 
 post card merchant.
 ssWu you go ahead ?'' asked Magee of Max
 Sorry" grinned Max, "but guess I'll bring up the rear"
 suspicion" said Mir. Magee, shak- ing his head, thas caused a lot of trou- ble in the world. Remember the cruel ty pracfieed on Pueblo Sam
 sT do,'' replied Mir Max, ~and it nearly breaks my heart But there's little matter I forgot t6 mention last night. Suspicion is all right in it's place"
 .sWhere's that?'' asked Mr. Maeee.
 MT. Max tapped his narrow chest. Here. he said. So the three began the climb, Mr.s Masee and the girl ahead, MT. Max leer1n8 at their heels.
 Covertly MT. Magee glanced at the girl striding along by his side. The red famed in her cheeks; her long lashes were hecked with the white of tfe snow; her face was such one as middle aged men dream of while their fat wives read the evening papers beauty hints at their side. Far beyond the ordinary woman was she desira ble and pleasing. MT. Magee told himself he had been a fool, for he who had fought go va1iantIy for her hearts de sire at the foot of the steps had falter- ed when the time came to hand her the prize Why? What place had cau- ton in the wild scheme of the night fiefore? None surely. And yet he, doIt, idiot, coward, had in the moment Of triumph turned cautious. Full con fession, he decided, was the only way ont