The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1914-03-20

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wait for me and waved umbrellas in
my eyes. Even my wife turned from
me. saying that while she did not ask
me to hold her views on the question
Of suffrage. she thought / might at
least refrain from publicly commend
ing IA type Of Oma found chiefly in
musical comedy choruses. received
a note from the president OF the uni
versity asking me to be more circum-
spect in my remarks. Me-Thaddeus
BoIton-the most conservative man on
earth by instinct:
poured in; still wOmen's clubs held
meetings resolving against me; still a
steady stream of reporters flowed
through my life. urging me to state
my views further. to name the ten
greatest blends in history, to-heaven
knows what. Yesterday l resolved l
could stand it nc longer. | determined
to go away until the whole thing was
forgotten. But they said to me,
there is no place on land or sea where
the reporters will not find you talk
ed the matter Ove with my old friend,
John Bentley. owner of Baldpate inn.
and he in bis kindness gave me the
key to this hOStelry."
Wisely Professor Bolton blinked
about him. Mr.. Bland was half asleep
in his chair. but Mr.. Magee was quick
with sympathy.
"Professor.' he said, you are a much
suffering man. ] feel for you. Here, |
am sure you are safe from reporters,
and the yellow journals will soon for.
get you in their discovery of the next
distorted wonder. Briefly. Mr.. Bland
and myself will outline the tangle Of
events that brought us to the inn
Briefly is right" broke in Bland.
And then it's me for that mountain
Gus mattress Of mine. | can rattle my
story off in short order and give you
the fine points tomorrow. Up to a
short time ago
But Billy Magee interrupted. An
idea. magnificent. delicious. mirthful.
had come to him. Why nOt7 He
chuckled inwardly. but his face was
most serious.
II should like to tell my story frst,
if you please" he said.
The haberdasher grunted. The pro-
fessor nodded. MI. Magee looked
Bland squarely in the eye. strangied
the laugh inside and began:
up to a short time ago l was a
haberdasher in the city of Reuton. Ny
name. let me state. is Magee-William
Magee. fitted the gay shoulder
blades of Reuton with clothing from
the back Of pages Of the magazines.
and as for neckties'-
Mr.. BANDS sly eyes had opened
wide. He rose to a majestic height
majestic considering the bedquilt.
"See here he began.
please don't interrupt" requested,
Mr.. Magee sweetly. II was. as I have
said. a happy. carefree haberdasher.
And then-she entered my life. Ara
bella was her name. Alb. professor.
your lady Of the yellow locks. crisped
like golden wire-even she must new
er in my presence be compared with
Arabella. She-she had-a-face-NOah
Webster couldn't have found words to
describe it. And her heart was true tc
yours truly-at least ! thought that it
was"
Mr.. Magee ratified on. The haber-
dasher. his calling and his tragedy
snatched from him by the humorous
Magee. retired with sullen face into his
bedquilt. Carefully Mr.. Magee led up
to the coming OF the man from Jersey
City; in detail be laid bare the duel Of
haberdashery fought in the name OF
the fair Arabella. AS he proceeded his
enthusiasm grew. He added fine bits
that had escaped Mr.. BLAND. He paint
ed with free hand the picture Of trag-
edy's dark hour: the note hinting at
suicide he gave in full. Then he told
of how his courage grew again. of how
he put the cowardice of death behind
him. resolved to dare all-and live. He
finished ut last. his voice husky with
emotion. Ont of the corner of his eye
he glanced triumphantly at Bland
That gentleman was gazing thought
fully at the blazing logs.
"You did quite right" commented
Professor Bolton. lin making up your
mind to live. And now. the gentleman
in the-er-the bedquilt. Has he. too.
a stOryT
Yes laughed Mr.. Magee. lets hear
now from the gentleman In the bed
quilt. Has he. too. q story? And II
so, what is it.?
He smiled delightedly into the eyes
of Bland. What would the ex-haber-
dasher do. shorn Of his fctional expla-
nation? Would he rise in bis wrath
and denounce the man who had stolen
his Arabella? Mr.. Bland smiled back.
he stood up. and a contingency that
had not entered Mr.. Magee's mind
came to be.
CHAPTER v.
A Professional Hermit Appears.
q r.. BLAND waiked calmly to
the table and picked mp q pop
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