The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-05-13
y 1t. I'm courageous man, as l

say"
You seem so," Mr.. Magee agreed.
Lion hearted" assented Mr. Bland.
II determined to show my nerve and
live. But there was my letter to Ara
bella. l feared she wouldn't appre-
ciate my bravery Women are dull
sometimes. 1t came to me maybe she
would he hurt if l didn't keep my
word and die. SO had tO--disappear.
l had friend mixed up in affairs at
Baldpate. No; can't give his name.
l told him my story. IIe was impress
ed by my spirit, as you have been.
He gave me key he had-the key of
the door opening from the east veran-
da into the dining room. So l came
up here. l came here to be alone, to
forgive and forget, to be forgot. And
hIaybe to plan a new haberdashery in
distant parts"
"Was it your wedding necktie," ask
ed Mr.. Magee, that you threw into
the safe when you saw me cOming?"
NO." replied Mr.. Bland. signing
deeply. "A package of letters, writ.
ten to me by Arabela at various
times. l want to forget 'em. If kept
them on hand l might look at them
from time to time. My great courage
might give way. You might find my
body on the stairs. That's why l hid
them"
Mr.. Magee laughed and stretched
forth his hand.
believe me-" he said, "your touch
ing confidence in me will not be be-
trayed. congratulate you on your
narrative power. You want my story.
Why am l here? I am not sure that
1t Is worthy to follow yours. But it
has It's good points-as I have thought
it out"
He went over to the table and pick.
cd up a popular novel upon which his
gaze had rested while the haberdasher
spun his fabric Of love and gloom. On
the cover was picture of a very dash
ing maiden.
DO you see that girl?" he asked.
"She Is beautiful, is she not? Even
Arabella III her most splendid mo-
ments could get a few points from her,
l fancy. Perhaps you are not familiar
with the important part such picture
plays In the success Of a novel today.
The truth is, however, that the noble
art Of fiction writing has come to lean
more and more heavily on its illustra-
tors. The mere words that 60 with
the pictures grow less important every
day. There are dozens of distinguish
ed novelists in the country at this
moment who might be haberdashers il
1t weren't for the long, lean, naughty
ladies who are scattered tastefully
through their works."
Mr.. Bland stirred uneasily.
II can sec you are at loss to know
what my search for seclusion and pri-
vacy has to do with all this" contin-
ued Mr. Magee. II am an artist. For
years have drawn these lovely ladies
who make fiction salable to the masses
Many novelist owes his motorcar and
bis country house to my brush. Two
months ago determined to give up H.
lustration forever and devote my time
to painting. l turned my back on the
nOvelists. Can you imagine what hap
penedw
MY imagination's little tired"
apOlOgized Mr.. Bland. g..
"Never mind. Ill tell you. The lead
ing authors whose work had so long
illustrated saw ruin staring them in
the face. They came to Inc on their
knees. figuratively. They begged. They
pleaded. In order to escape them and
their really pitiful pleadings / had to
flee. l happened to have a friend in.
vowed In the management of Baldpate
inn. l am not at liberty to give his
name He gave me a key. So here
am. l rely on you to keep my secret.
II you perceive novelist in the dis
tance lose no time in warning me-"
MIR. Magee paused, chuckling inward
ly. He stood looking down ut the
lovelorn haberdasher. The latter got
to his feet and solemnly took Magees
hand.
"I-I-Oh. we'll. you've got me beat
a mile. old man." he said.
"You don't mean to say began the
hurt Magee.
"Oh. that's all right" Mr.. Bland as
sured him. IL believe every word Of
it. It's all as real as the haberdash-
cry to me. Ill keep my eye peeled for
nOvelists. What gets me is. when you
boil our two fly by night stories down.
I've come here to be alone. You want
to be alone. We can't be alone here
together. One of us must clear out"
Nonsense" answered Billy Magee.
"I'll be glad to have you here. Stay
as long as you like"
The haberdasher looked Mr.. Magee
fully In the eye, and the latter was
startled by the hostility he saw in the
others face.
'The point is," said Mr.. Bland, 81
don't want you here. Why? Maybe
because you recall beautiful DANES
on book cOvers-and I'm that way, Ara
bella. Maybe--but what's the use? |