The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-05-09
CHAPTER II.
Alone on BaIdpate Mountain.

IL ilH L w udI SOu lHlSuC call
~ Il frequent occurrence. I'm
glad to do anything | can for young
MI. Bentley, but l can't help wonder
ing what his father will say. And
there's lot Of things you haven't took
into consideration"
There certainly is, young man," re-
marked Mrs. Quimby, bustling for
: ward. How are you going to keep
warm in that big barn of place"
"The suits on the second floor" said
Mr.. Magee, 'are, hear, equipped with
fireplaces. Mr.. Quimby will keep me
supplied with fuel from the forest pri-
meval, for which service he will re-
ceive $40 week."
"And light?" asked Mrs. Quimby
"For the present, candles. 1 have
forty in that package. Later, perhaps,
you can find me an oil lamp. Oh, ev-
erything will be provided for"
WELL remarked Mr.. Quimby, look
ing in dazed fashion at his wife.
'I'll reckon Ill have to talk it over
with ma"
|
and Mr.. Magee fixed his eyes on q
"God Bless Our Home" motto while he
awaited their return. Presently they
reappeared.
WAS you thinking Of eating" in
quired Mrs. Quimby sarcastically,
while you stayed up there?"
II certainly was," smiled Mr.. Magee.
For the most part I will prepare my
own meals from cans and-er-jars-
and such pagan sources. But now and
then you, Mrs. Quimby, are going to
send me something cooked as no other
woman in the county can cook it.
can see it in your eyes. In my poor
way shall try to repay YOU"
He continued to smile into Mrs.
Quimby's broad, cheerful face. Mr..
Magee had the type of smile that
moves men to part with ten until Sat
urday and women to close their eyes
and dream Of Sir LauncelOt.
"It's all fiXed," he cried. well get
on splendidly. And now-for Baldpate
inn.'
mot just yet" said Mrs. Quimby.
Il amt one to let anybody go up to
Baldgate inn unfed. 1 'spose we're
sort O. responsible for you while you're
up here. You just set right down and
I'll have your supper hot and smOk-
Ing on the table in no time''
Mr.. Magee entered into no dispute on
this point, and for half an hour he
was the pleased recipient Of advice,
philosophy and food. When he had
assured Mrs. Quimby that he had eat
ell enough to last him the entire two
months he intended spending at the inn
Mr.. Quimby came in, attired in huge
before the war" ulster and carrying q
lighted lantern.
$50 you're going to sit up there and
write things" he commented. "Well,
l reckon you'll be left to yourself, all
right"
II hope sO," responded Mr.. Magee.
Il want to be so lonesome I'll sob
myself to sleep every night. It's the
only road to immortality. GOOdby,
Mrs. Quimby. In my fortress on the
mountain l shall expect an occasional
culinary message from you" He took
her plump hand. This mOtherly little
woman seemed the last link binding
him to the world Of reality.
"Goodby," smiled Mrs. Quimby. "Be
careful of matches"
Mr.. Quimby led the way with the
lantern, and presently they stepped
out upon the road.
by the way, Quimby," remarked
Mr.. Magee, lis there a girl in your
town who has blue eyes, light hair
and the general air Of q queen out
shOpping?'
Light hair!' repeated Quimby.
There's Sally Perry. She teaches in
the Methodist Sunday school,"
NO." said Mr.. Magee. "A1y de-
scriptiOn was poor, I'm afraid. This
one 1 refer to, when she weeps, gives
the general effect of mist ON the sea
at dawn. The MethOdists do not mo-
nOpolize her."
II read books, and I read newspa-
pers," said Mr.. Quimby, 'but lot Of
your talk l don't understand"
"The critics." replied Billy Magee,
could explain. My stuff is only for
low brows. Lead on, Mr.. Quimby."
Baldpate inn did not stand tiptoe on
the misty mountain top. Instead it
clung with grim determination to the
side of Baldpate, about halfway up,
much as city man clings to the run
ming board of an open street car. This
was the comparison Mr. Magee made
ana even as he made it he knew that
atmospheric conditions rendered it
questionable. For an open street car
suggests summer and the ball park;
Baldpate inn, as it shouldered darkly
into Mr.. Magee's ken, suggested win
! ter at its most wintry.
About the great black shape that
was the inn, like arms, stretched
broad verandas. Mr.. Magee remarked
upon them to his companion.
"ThOse pOrches and balconies and
! thinUSo ~ hp said s'wiII como 4, t,,,,,-.