Oxford Democrat., 1914-06-02
derstand. I'm glad they didn't keep

me-"
$50 am l." The crowd surged about
them. Many in it smiled and spoke ad-
miringly to the girl. "It's great to be
acquainted with the. heroine Of the
hour" Mr.. Magee continued. II con-
gratulate you. You have oyerthrown
an empire of graft, 1t seems"
"Alone and unaided," she quoted,
smiling mockingly up into his face.
Absolutely alone and entirely un'
aided" said Billy Magee. "pl swear
to that in court"
As Mr.. Magee and the girl turned
they beheld the hermit Of Baldpate
staring with undisguised exultation
at the tall buildings of Reuton.
"why, it's Mr.. Peters" the girl
cried.
eyes" replied Magee. "His predic'
ton has come true. We and our ex.
citement proved too much for him.
He's going back to Brooklyn and to
her"
"Pm so gladr' she cried. She
stretched out her hand to the hermit.
he took 1t, somewhat embarrassed.
"Glad to see you," he said. "You
certainly appear to have stirred things
up, miss. But women are good at
that. I've always said"-
"Mr. Magee tells me you're going
back, after all" she broke in.
EYES," returned Peters. II knew 1t.
| told you so. 1t was all right In the
summer, when the bands played and
| the warm wind was hermiting on the
mountain too But in the fall it's al
ways been hard, and I've heard the
white lights calling, calling--why, I've
even heard her-heard Ellen. This
fall you came, and there was some
thing doing on Baldpate-and / knew
that when you went Id just naturally
have to go too. So-Pm going"
"Spendid" commented the girl.
It'll be somewhat delicate" con.
tiuued the hermit, bursting in on FL.
len after all these years. AS ! told
Mr.. Magee I wish 1 had an inaugural
address or something like that"
Il have It," responded Evelyn
Rhodes. I'll write story about you
for tomorrow mornings paper - all
about how the Christmas spirit has
overcome the hermit of Baldpate and
how he's going back to his wife with
his heart filled with love for her. 1t
is filed, isn't it,"
"Well, yes" agreed Mr.. Peters. 81
reckon you might call it that
"And then you can send her copy
Of the paper and follow 1t up in per.
son."
"a good idea," commented Billy Ma
gee.
"At first glance, yes" studied Peters;
"but, on the other hand, 1t would be
the death knell Of my postcard busi-
ness, and I'm calculating to 20 back to
Baldpate next summer and take 1t
up again. No, I'm afraid l can't let
It be generally known that I've quit
living in shack on the mountain for
love Of somebody or other"
"Once more" smiled Magee, big
business muzzles the press
"Not that l amt obliged to you for
the Offer" added the hermit.
"Miss-er-Aliss Rhodes and / will
see you again." predicted Mr.. Magee,
next summer at Baldpate inn."
The hermit looked at the girl, who
turned her face away.
II hope it'll turn out that way, I'm
sure" he said. "I'll let you have
reduction on all postcards, just for old
| times sake. Now, l must find out
| about the New York trains"
He melted into the crowd, an odd
| figure still, his garb in a fashion long
| forgotten, his clumsily hacked hair
brushing the collar Of his ancient coat.
Magee and the girl found the check
room and, after he had been relieved
Of the burden Of his baggage, set out
up the main street Of Reuton. 1t was
q typical up state town, deep in the
throes of the holiday season. The win
| dows of the stores were green with
holly. The faces Of the passers by re-
Hected the eXcitements Of Christmas
and of the upheaval in civic politics
which were upon them almost together.
"Tell me-" said the girl, "are you
glad-at the way 1t has turned out?
Are you glad I was no lady Captain
Kidd?"
ut has all turned out-or IS about
to turn out-beautifully," Mr.. Magee
answered. "You may remember that
on the veranda Of Baldpate inn spoke
of one summer hotel Irritation that was
going to prove more than that. Let
me-
Her laugh interrupted.
"You don't even know my name"
"What's the matter with Evelyn
Rhodes~ suggested Magee.
Nothing. It's a perfectly good
name. But it isn't mine. / just write
under it."
II prefer Mary, anyhow" smiled Bill
" Magee. "She called you that. It's
Mary"
"Mary what?"
"You have no idea," said he, now
immaterial that is"
They came upon throng blocking
the sidewalk in front Of tall build
ing of stone. The eyes Of the throng
were on bulletins. 1t muttered much
as they had muttered who gathered
in the station.
"The office of the STAR" explained
the girl. "The crowd is looking for
new excitement. Do you know, for
two whole hours this morning we had
on exhibition in the window certain
package-a package Of money"
II think" smiled Magee, "1ve seen
1t somewhere"
81 think you have. Drayton came
and took it from US as soon as he
heard. But 1t was the very best proof
we could have offered the people
They like to see for themselves. Its
q passion with them. We've done FOL
Cargan forever"
"Cargan says he will fight"
"Of course he WILL" she replied
"But this will prove Napoleon's Wa
terloo. Whether or not he Is sent te
prison-and perhaps he can escape
that. he's very clever-his power II