The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1914-04-17

Then ne OurSC IOrIu lnUO u WuOio SOUL
ed laugh. II am u good fellow" be
said. ''I'l show you"
He went into the other room and
despite the Mortified protests Of Lou
Max busted himself amid the ashes Of
the fireplace. When he had Il blaze
under way Mr.. Magee came shivering
from the other room and held out his
hand.
"Mr. Cargan." he laughed, you're a
prince He noted with interest that
the mayors broad shoes were mighty
lear $2OO.OO
While Mr.. Magee drew on his clothes
the mayor and Max sat thoughtfully
before the fire. the former with his
pudgy hands folded rel the vast ex-
panse where no breakfast repOsed. Mr.
Magee explained to them that the
holder Of the sixth key had arrived.
"A handsome young lady," be re-
marked. "Her name is Myra Thorn
hill"
"Old Henry ThornhilI's daughter"
reflected the mayor. well. seems I've
sort Of lost the habit of being sur
prised now. tell you. Lou, we're
breaking into the orchid division up
here"
While MIR. Magee shaved-in ice cold
water. another black mark against the
hermit of Raldpate-he turned over In
his mind the events of the night be-
fore.
He was ready to descend at last and
came into the parlor Of his suit with
greatcoat and hat. In reply to Mr..
Cargan's unasked question. he said:
I'm going up the mountain present
ly to reason with our striking cook"
You amt going to leave this inn.
Magee." said the mayor.
Not v to bring back q cook!
Come. Mr.. Cargan. be reasonable. You
may 60 with me IL you suspect my
motives"
They went out into the hall and Mr..
Magee passed down the corridor to
the farther end, where he raped on
the door of Miss T%hornhill's room. She
appeared almost Immediately. buried
beneath furs and wraps.
"You must be nearly frozen" re-
marked Mr.. Magee pityingly. "You
and your maid come down to the Of
fee. I want you to meet the other
guests"
"Ill come" she replied. Mr.. Ma
gee. I've a confession to make. in
vented the maid. It seemed so hor-
ridly unconventional and shocking-l
couldn't admit that l was alone. That
was why l wouldn't let you build a
fire for me-"
Don't worry" smiled Magee. You'll
find we have all the conveniences up
here. I'll present you to u chaperon
shortly-a Mrs. Norton, who is here
with her daughter. Allow me to in
troduce Mr.. Cargan and Mr.. Max"
The girl bowed with a rather star
tied air. and Mr.. Cargan mumbled
something that had pleasure" in it.
In the Office they found Professor Boil
ton and Mr.. Bland sitting gloomily
before the fireplace.
"Got the news, Magee?" asked the
h~aberdasher. "Peters has done q dis
appearing act"
1t was evident to Magee that every
body looked upon Peters rs his crea-
ture and laid the hermit's sins at his
door. he laughed.
"Im going to head a search party
shortly" he said. Don't l 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 DOE door. 1t was evident
she had no share in the general gloon
that the hermit's absence cast over
Baldpate. Her eyes were bright with
the glories Of morning on a mountain.
In their depths there was no room
for petty annoyances.
Good morning." she said to Mr.. Ma
gee. Isn't it 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 nonchalant and
casual, but somehow Mr.. Magee felt
that among the matters they establish
ed were social position, wit. cunning.
guile and taste In dress.
When the rather unsatisfactory sub
stitute for breakfast was consumed.
MI. Magee rose briskly.
snow" he said, I'm going to run up
to the hermit's shack and reason with
him as best l an. l shall paint in
touching colors u sad plight. II the
man has an atom Of decency"-
"A walk on the mountain In the
morning" said Miss Thornhill quickly.
Splendid. p
"Wonderful," put in Miss Norton.
II, for one. can't resist. Even though
/ haven't been invited. I'm going
along" She smiled sweetly. She had
beaten the other girl by the breadth