Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-04-03


him disappear and resolved to follow
quickly on his heels. But first he
paused to give his own version of the
word under discussion.
Strange" he remarked, that none
of you gets the picture l do. Romance
1T is here-at your feet in Baldpate
| inn. A man climbs the mountain to
| be alone with his thoughts, to forget
the melodrama of life, to get away
from the swift action Of the world and
mediate He is alone for very near
an hour. Then a telephone bell tin
kles and youth rises out Of the dark
! to prate of lost Arabella and haber-
dashery. A shot rings out, as the i'm
memorial custom with shots, and in
comes a professor of comparative lit
erature, with a perforation in his der
by hat. A professional hermit arrives
to teach the amateur the fine points
Of the game. A charming maid ocmes
in-too late for breakfast-but in
plenty of time for walks on the bal
cony in the moonlight. The mayor Of
a municipality condescends to stay for
dinner. A battle in the snow ensues.
There is a weird talk of-a sum of
money. More guests arrive. Dark
hints Of a seventh key. Why, bless
you, you needn't stir from Baldpate
inn in search Of your romance"
He crossed the floor hastily and put
one foot on the lower step Of Bald
pate's grand stairway. He kept it
there. For from the shadows Of the
landing Professor Bolton emerged, his
blasted derby once more on his head.
his overcoat buttoned tight, his ear
muffs in place, his travelling bag and
green umbrella in tow.
What, professor" cried Magee,
you're leaving?"
Now, truly, the end of the drama
had come. Mr.. Magee felt his heart
beat wildly.
Yes" the old man was saying
slowly "I am about to leave. The
decision came suddenly. 1 am sorry
to go. Certainly have enjoyed these
chance meetings"
See here, Doc" said Mr.. Bland, un-
easily feeling Of his purple tie, you
are not going back and let them re-
porters have another fling at you?"
II fear 1 must" replied the old
man. MY duty calls. Yes, they will
hound me. l shall hear much Of pc
roxide blonds. 1 shall be asked again
to name the ten greatest in history
a difficult, not to say, dangerous task.
But l must face the-er-music, as
the vulgar expression goes. 1 bid you
goodby, Mr.. Bland. We part friends,
am sure"
He turned to Magee.
II regret more than 1 can say" he
continued, parting from you. Ny
eyes fell upon you first on entering
this place. We have had exciting
times together. My dear Miss Norton,
knowing you has refreshed an old
mans heart. l might compare you to
another with yellow locks. but I leave
that to my OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.
Mr. Cargan-goodby. My acquaint-
ance with you l shall always look
back on |
But the mayor of ReutoL, Max and
Bland closed in on the old man.
"Now, look here, Doc" interrupted
Cargan. You're blufing. Do you
get me? You're trying to put some
thing over I don't want to be rough.
/ like you. But got to get glimpse
at the inside of that satchel. And /
got to examine your personal makeup
a Bit
Dear, dear!" smiled Professor
Bolton. you don't think 1 would
steal? A man in my position? Alb
surd! Look through my poor luggage
If you desire. You will find nothing
but the usual appurtenances of trav-
ell"
He stood docilely in the middle OF
the floor and blinked at the group
around him.
Mr.. Magee waited to hear no more. |
Quietly and quickly he disappeared
up the broad stair and tried the pro-
fessor's door. 1t was locked. Inside |
he could hear a window banging back
and forth in the storm. He ran
through No and out upon the snow
covered balcony.
There he bumped full into shad-
owy figure hurrying in the opposite
direction.