Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-03-13


flee. l want you to meet the othe
guests"
I'll come" she replied. Mr.. Ma
gee, I've a confession to make. l in
vented the maid. 1t seemed so hor
ridly unconventional and shocking
couldn't admit that I was alone
That was why l wouldn't let you built
a fire for me-"
Don't worry" smiled Magee. "Yol
will find we have all the convenience
up here. I'll present you to a chap
here with her daughter. Allow me t
introduce Mr.. Cargan and Mr.. Max.
The girl bowed with a rather star
tied air, and Mr.. Cargan mumblet
something that had pleasure" in 1t
In the office they found Professor Bol
ton and Mr.. Bland sitting gloom!lI
before the fireplace.
Got the news, Magee?" asked the
haberdasher. Peters has done dis
appearing act
| 1t was evident TO Magee that every
body looked upon Peters as his crea.
ture and laid the hermit's sins at hi!
door. He laughed.
, I'm going to head a search party
shortly" he said. Don't 1 detect the
odor of coffee in the distance?"
Mrs Norton" remarked Professor
Bolton dolefully, has kindly consent
ed to do what she can"
The girl of the station came
through the dining room door, II
was evident she had no share in the
general gloom that the hermits abb
sence cast over Baldpate. Her eyes
were bright with the glories Of morn
ing on u mountain. In their depth
there was no room for petty annoy
ances.
Good morning." she said to Mr.
Magee. Isn't 1t bracing? Have you
been outside? Oh, r.
Miss Norton-Miss Thornhill," ex.
planned Magee. Miss Thornhill has
the sixth key, you know. She came
last night without any Of us know
| ing"
With lukewarm smiles, the two
girls shook hands. Outwardly the
glances they exchanged were non
chalant and casual, but somehow Mr.
Magee felt that among the matters
they established were social position
wit. cunning, guile and taste in dress.
When the rather unsatisfactory
substitute for breakfast was consum.
ed. Mr.. Magee rose briskly.
Now" he said, I'm going to run
up TO the hermits shack and reason
with him as best l can. l shall paint
in touching colors our sad plight. II
the man has an atom Of decency"-
"A walk on the mountain in the
morning" said Miss Thornhill quick
| ly. splendid. r.
Wonderful" put in Miss Norton
Il, for one, can't resist. Even though
I haven't been invited, I'm going
along" She smiled sweetly. She had
beaten the other girl by the breadth
of hair, and she knew it. Now glo-
ries shown in her eyes.
Good for you!" said Magee. The
evil hour of explanations was at hand
surely. Run up and get your
things"
While Miss Norton was gone, Mr.
Cargan and Lou Max engaged in earn
est converse near window. After
which Mr. Max pulled on his over
coat.
II amt been invited either" he
said. but l reckon I'll go along.
always wanted TO see what hermit
lived like when he's really buckled
down to the hermit business. And
then walk in the morning has al
ways been my first rule for health
You don't mind, do you?"
who am l." asked Magee, that
should stand between you and
health? Come along by all means"
The three went out through the
front door and found under the snow
hint of a path that led to the shack
of the post card merchant.
will you go ahead?" asked Magee
of Max.
Sorry" grinned Max, "but I guess
I'll bring up the rear"
Suspicion" said Magee, shaking
| his head, has caused a lot of trouble
in a world. Remember the cruelty
practiced on Pueblo SAM"
Il do" replied Mr.. Max. land il
nearly breaks my heart. But there's
little matter forgot to mention last
night. Suspicion is all right in Its
place"
Where's that" asked Mr.. Magee.
Mr.. Max tapped his narrow chest
Here" he said So the three began
the climb, Mr.. Magee and the girI
ahead, Mr.. Max leering at their heels
Covertly Mr.. Magee glanced at the
girl striding along by his side. The
red famed in her cheeks; her LONG
lashes were fecked with the white OF
the snow; her face was such one az
middle aged men dream of while theil
fat wives read the evening papers
beauty hints at their side. Far beyond
the ordinary woman was she desirable
and pleasing Mr.. Magee told himself
he had been a fool for he who had
fought so valiantly for her hearts de-
sire at the foot of the steps had fal-
tered when the time came to hand hel
the prize. Why? What place had
caution in the wild scheme Of the
night before? None surely. And yet
he, dOlt, idiot. coward, had in the
moment of triumph turned cautious
Full confession. he decided. was was
Full confession, he decided, was the
| only way out.
(To be Continued.)