Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-02-13

umbrellas in my eyes. Even my wife
turned from me, saying that while she
did not ask me to hold her views or
the question Of suffrage, she thought
might at least refrain from publicly
commencing a type of woman found
chiefly in musical comedy choruses.
received a note from the president OF
the university asking me to be more
circumspect in my remarks. Me
Thaddeus Bolton-the most conserva-
tive man on earth by instinct!
And still the denunciations Of me
! 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 blonds in history, to-heaven
knows what. Yesterday resolved I
could stand it no 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 over with my old friend,
John Bentley, owner Of Baldpate inn,
and he in his 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
much suffering man. feel for you.
Here, 1 am sure, you are safe from re-
porters, and the yellow journals will
soon forget you in their discovery Of
the next distorted wonder. Briefly, Mr..
Bland and myself will outline the tan
gle Of events that brought us to the
inn
..Rriefy is right" broke in Bland.
And then it's mine for that mountain
Gus mattress Of mine. can rattle my
story off in short order and give you
the fine points tomorrow. Up to
short time ago.
But Billy Magee interrupted. An
idea. magnificent. delicious, mirthful
had come to him. Why not? He
chuckled inwardly, but his face was
most serious.
II should like to tell my story first,
If you please" he said.
The haberdasher grunted. The pro-
fessor nodded. Mr. Magee looked
Bland squarely in the eye. strangled
the laugh inside and began:
up to a short time ago was
haberdasher in the city Of Reuton. My
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. 81 was, as have
said, a happy, carefree haberdasher
And then-she entered my life. Ara
bella was her name. All, professor,
your lady- of-eheE- E-yeifow-foci -crisped
like golden wire-even she must never
in my presence be compared with Ara
bella. She-she had-a-face-Noa
Webster couldn't have found words to
describe it. And her heart was true to
yours truly-at least l 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 he 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 limiting 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 at last, his voice husky with
emotion. Out 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, 'in making up your
mind to live. And now, the gentleman
in the-er-the bedquilt. Has he, too
story?"
YES" laughed Mr.. Magee, lets
hear now from the gentleman in the
bedquilt. Has, he, too, story? And If
so, what is it?"
He smiled delightedly into the eyes
of Bland. What would the ex-haber-
dasher do, shorn of his fictional expla-
nation? Would he rise in his 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. Magees mind
came to be.
Continued on Page Four).