Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-08
CHAPTER XVIII.
Table Talk.


init suggested that the dinner
Ill was ready. -. - ,,..,,
- II guess you might as well
sit down." he remarked. Its all fix
cd. what there is to fix. This place
don't need a cook. it needs a commits
sary department"
Peters" removed Magee That's
hardly courteous to our guests.
Living alone on the mountain. re-
piled the hermit from the dining room
door. you get to have such high re-
gard for the truth you can't put eour-
tesy first. You want to, but you have
not the heart"
The winter guests took their places
at the table and the second December
dinner at Baldpate inn got under way.
But not so genially as on the previous
night did it progress. on the faces or
those about him Mr.. Magee noted wor-
~ and suspicion; now and again men,
acing cold eyes were turned upon him;
evidently first in the thoughts of those
at table was a little package rich in
treasure. and evidently first in the
thoughts OF most OF them. as the prob
able holder of that package. was Mr..
Magee himself Several times he
looked up TO find Msx's catlike eyes
upon him, sinister and cruel behind
the incongruous gold trimmed glasses:
several times he saw Hayden's eyes,
hostile and angry. seek his face. They
were desperate; they would stop at
nothing: Mr.. Magee felt that as the
drama drew to its close they saw him
and him alone between them and their
golden desires.
Before / came up here to be her
nit remarked Cargan contempora-
neously with the removal of the soup.
which l may say in passing | amt
been able to be with any success ow-
ing to the popularity OF the sport on
Baldpate mountain. there was never
any candles on the table where I ate.
No. sir. | left them 10 the people up
on the avenue-to Mr.. Hayden and his
kind that Ike to work in dim surround
inGs-I was always strong for a bright
light on my food. What I'm afraid of
is that I'll get the habit up here and
will he wanting Charlie 10 set out n
silver candelabrum with my lager.
Candles'd I've quite an innovation at
Charles. wouldn't they. Lou?'
Too swell for Charities" comment
ed Mr.. Max. Except after closing
hours I've seen 'em In use there then.
hut the idea wasn't glory and decora-'
ton
Il hope YOU don't dislike the can
dies. Mr.. Cargan." remarked Miss Nor !
ton. They add such n lot to the ro- I
nance of the affair. don't you think? !
I'm terribly thrilled Ivy. all this. The |
rattlinG of the windows, and the flick !
ering liSht-two lines of II poem keep /
running through NV head:
"AIy lord he followed after one who whis-
pered IN his
The weeping of the candles and the wind |
is all l hear.
81 don't know who the lord was nor
what he followed-perhaps the sew
enth key. But the weeping candles
and the wind seem so romantic-and
SO like Baldpate inn tonight"
IF had daughter your age" COM
mentcd Cargan, not unkindly, shed
be at home reading Laura Jean Libbey
by the fire. and not chasing after ro-
nance on a mountain"
THAT would be best for her, I'm
sure replied the girl sweetly. For
then she wouldn't be likely TO find out
things about her father that would
prove disquietinG."
"Deariei" cried Mrs. Norton. No
one else spoke, but all looked at the
mayor. He was -busily engaged with
his food. Smiling his amusement. Mr..
Magee sought TO direct the CONVERSE
ton into less personal channels.
We hear so much about romance,
since its widely advertised
death" he said. And TO every man
ever met il meant something differ
ent. Mr.. Cargan. speaking as broad
minded man of the world-what does |
mean 10 you:"
The mayor ran his fingers through |
his grazing hair and considered Sc !
-iousiy. :
4 HEkT AAIIAr NE I