Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-03-03
CHAPTER TX.
Tb. Mavor Beoins a Vioil.
ESTABLISHED 1865.
cspyrisht. 1918. by the Bsbss-hsrrill
Company

The Mayor Begins a Vigil.
Asleep" beloved the big man.
"How's this for a watch dog, Lou"
Right on the job, amt he?" sneer-
ed the thin one.
Mr.. Bland started suddenly from
slumber, and looked up into the eyes
of the newcomers.
Hello, Cargan," he said. Hello,
Lou. For the love Of heaven don't
shout so. The place is full Of them.
Full Of what?" asked the mayor.
"Of spoilers, maybe-I don't know
what they are. There's an old high
brow and a fresh young guy, and two
women"
People" gasped the mayor. "Peo-
ple-here?"
Sure"
You're asleep, Bland
NO, I'm not, Cargan!" cried the
haberdasher. Look around for your
self. The inns overrun with them
Cargan leaned weakly against a
chair
We'll, what do you know about
that" he said. And they kept telling
me Baldpate inn was the best place!
Say, this is one on Andy Rutter! Why
didn't you get out and beat it?"
How could II" Mr.. Bland asked.
Il haven't got the combination. The
safe was left open for me. That was
the arrangement with Rutter."
You might have phoned US not to
come" remarked Lou, with an uneasy
glance around.
Mr.. Cargan hit the mantlepiece
with his huge fist
BY heaven, no." he cried. "In lift
il from under their very noses. I've
done it before. 1 can do it now. 1
don't care who they are. They can't
touch me. They can't touch Jim Car
gan. I amt afraid"
Mr.. Magee, on the landing, whisper
ed into his companions ear. Il think
Ill go down and greet our guests.
He felt her grasp his arm suddenly as
though in fear, but he shook of her
hand and debonairly descended to the
group below.
Good evening, gentlemen" he said
suavely. Welcome to Baldpate.
Please don't attempt to explain
We're fed up on explanations now.
You have the fifth key, of course"
The big man advanced threatening
ly. Mr.. Magee saw that his face was
very red, his neck very thick. but his
mouth a cute little cupid's bow that
might we'll have adorned a dainty
baby in the park.
Who are you?" beloved the may
or of Reuton in a tone meant to be
covering.
IT forgot" replied Mr.. Magee easi-
". BLAND, who am 1 today?
The mayor pointed dramatically to
the stair.
II give you fifteen minutes" he
roared, Ito pack up and get out.
don't want you here. Understands"
To Cargan's side came the Sinking
figure of Lou Max. His face was the
withered yellow of an old lemon.
clear out" he snarled.
by no means" replied Magee. Il
was here first. Put me out will you
Well, perhaps, after a fight. But I'd
be back in an hour. and with me
whatever police Upper Asuewan Falls
owns too"
He. saw that the opposing force
wavered at this.
II want no trouble, gentlemen" he
went on. Believe me. shall be hap
py to have your company to dinner
Your command that 1 withdraw is IL
timed, not to say i'll natured and i'm
polite. Let US all forget it."
The mayor of Reuton turned away
and his dog slid into the shadows.
Have 1 your promise to stay tc
dinner?" went on Magee. No answer
came from the trio in the dusk. Isl
lence gives consent" he added gaily
He ran up the stairs. At the top o.
the second flight he met the girl. ant
her eyes. he thought, shone in the
dark.
"Oh. I'm so glad" she whispered.
"Glad of what?" asked Magee.
THAT you are not on their side
she answered.
Mr.. Magee paused at the door o
No. I.
Il should say not" he remarked
Whatever it's all about l should sa!
not. Put on your prettiest gown. IN!
lady I've invited the mayor to din
ner."
One summer evening in dim, deat
days gone by an inexperienced hea'
waiter ut Baldpate inn had attempte'
to seat Mrs. j. Sanderson Clark o
Pittsburg at the same table with tn
unassuming Smiths of Tiffin, o. TIL
remarks of Mrs. Clark, who was
the time busily engaged in trying t
found a first family, fingered long Il
the memory of those who heard them
So long in fact, that Miss Norton
standing with Mr.. Magee in the hote
office awaiting the signal from Peter
that dinner was ready, could repea
them almost verbatim. Mr.. Mage
cast a humorous look about.
Lucky the manners and customs
the summer folks aren't carried owe
into the winter" he said. 'Imagin
q Mrs. Clark asked to sit at table wit
the mayor of Reuton and his pictur
esoue but somewhat soiled friend. MI
Max. l hope the dinner is a hug
success"
The girl laughed.
The natural nervousness of a hos
she remarked. Don't worry. TIL
hermit and his tins won't fail you
Together they strolled to a window
The snow had begun to fall again. an
the lights of the little hamlet belo'
showed but dimly through the whit
blur.