Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-22

| the edge OF the crowd. an admirfng
/ voice spoke. Hello. JIM" The may
or waved his hand. The rumble of
| their voices ceased at last. Jim Car
gan was still master OF the city.
say what you WILL" remarked Mr.
MaSee to the professor as they stood
together on the platform OF the car.
there goes n man.
He did not wait TO hear the profess
| sor's answer, for he saw the girl of
/ the Upper Asquewan station standing
on a baggage truck far TO the left Of
the mob wave to him over their heads.
Eagerly he fought his way to her side
1t was hard fight. The crowd would
! not part for him as il had parted for
the man who owned the city
Hello. Mr. Holdup Man" The girl
seized Mr.. MaGee's profered hand and
ieaped down from the truck TO his
side.
Bless the gods of the mountains"
said Magee; they have given me back
my accomplice, safe and sound"'
They We're black, lonesome gods"
she replied. land they kept whispering
fearful things in my ear couldn't I'M
derstand. I'm glad they didn't keep
me-"
$50 am l." The crowd surced about
them. Many in it smiled and spoke ad-
miringly to the girl. Its great to be
acquainted with the heroine Of the
hour" Mr.. Magee continued. 81 con
graduate you. You have overthrown
an empire OF graft. it seems"
alone and unaided.' she quoted.
smiling mockinGly up into his face
Absolutely alone and entirely I'M
at
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.
Yes" replied Magee. His predic.
ton has come true. We and our ex-
element proved too much for him.
He's going back to Brooklyn and to
her.
I'm so glad"' she cried. She
stretched out her hand to the hermit
He took it. somewhat embarrassed.
Glad TO see you" he said. lyon
certainly appear to have stirred things
up. miss. But women are good Mt
that. I've always said
mfr. Magee tells me you're going
back, after all?" she broke in.
Yes" returned Peters. Il knew it |
/ 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 Tve heard the 1
white lights calling. caiiinG-why, I've 4
even heard her-heard Ellen. This
fall you came, and there was some
thing doing on Baldpate-and / knew
that when you went I'd just naturally
have TO go too. So-I'm going"
'Splendidr' commented the girl.
It'll be somewhat delicate" con-
tinued the hermit. bursting in on e.
len after all these years. AS l told
Mr. Magee I wish had an inaugural
address or something like that"
Il have it," responded Evelyn
Rhodes. III write n 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 filed with love for her. 1t
IS filed. isn't it?'
well. yes" agreed Mr.. Peters. II
reckon you might call il that"
And then you can send her a copy
II the paper and follow it up in per
'on."
"a good idea" commented Billy Ma
zee.
AT first glance. yes" studied Peters;
but, on the other hand. it would be
he death knell of my postcard bust
less. and I'm calculating to 20 back TO
next summer and take II
I'D again. No. I'm afraid l can't let
t be generally known that I've quit
wing in n shack on the mountain for
owe of somebody or other"
"Once more" smiled Magee. big
BUSINESS muzzles the press"
Not that 1 amt obliged to you for
he Offer" added the hermit.
"Miss-er-Aiiss Rhodes and I will
ee you again." predicted Mr.. Magee.
next summer at Baldpate inn"
The hermit looked at the girl, who
lrned her face away.
II hope it'll turn out that way. I'm
ure." he said. iii let you have n
eduction ON all postcards, just for old
mes sake. Now, l must find out
bout the New York trains"
He melted into the crowd. an odd |
CURE still, his garb in a fashion long
,rgotten. his clumsily hacked hair
rushing the collar OF his ancient coat.
Iagee and the girl found the check
pom and. after he had been relieved 2
: the burden OF his baggage. set out
p the main street of Reuton. IL was
typical up state town, deep in the
lroes OF the holiday season. The win
0ws Of the stores We're green with
ply. The faces of the passers by re O
scted the excitements Of Christmas p
I'D OF the upheaval in civic politics v
hich were upon them almost together Il
Tell me-" said the girl. 'are YOU p
nd-at the way il has turned outF
re you glad / was no lady Captain ,
iddT'
lit has ali turned out-or IS about
turn out--beautifuIly." Mr.. Magee y
nswered. You may remember that
, tho varauda of Eaidnafe inn i spoke I "a