The Detroit times., 1912-04-17
CHAPTER xll.-(cOntinued.)
Copyright. 1911. The Bobs


Sallie's voice was not as inhospit-
able as her words She was mildly
hurt and grleved rather than o1end-
ed. She disappeared and presently
came back with a white apron on IN
place Of the colored 'gingham she had
worn before; but II is doubtful II
Aleek Noticed thits tribute to-iiis sex.
Sallie looked withered and pinched.
but more by nature and disposition
than by age. She stood with arms
akimbo near the center table, regard
ing Aleck with inquisitiveness not un-
mixed with liking.
You can set down. sir" she said
politely, but | don't know as you
can see any OF the folks. The man,
he's upstairs. sick. clean out OF his
head: and the young man, he's nurs-
mfg him Can't leave him alone Il
minute, or he'd be up and getting out
the window, f'rall ] know"
Aleck listened alphabetically. "A
sad case, And what Is the name. II
may ask. of the young man VINO is
so ill2"
"L.or'. | cont know" said Sallie.
The new mistress. her names Red
mond: some kin OF Parson Thayer s,
and she's got this house and lot Oh
money. The lawyer was here yester-
day and got the will all fixed up. shes
a singer. too-one OF those opery sing
ers down below. she is
Sallie made this announcement az
if she was relating a bewildering blow
of Providence for which she herself
was not responsible. Aleck. who be-
gan TO fear that he might be the re-
cipient OF more condolences than de-
corum dictated, hastily profered MS
next question.
Can | see the lady, Miss Redmond
Or is Il Mrs. Redmond?'
Salie gave a scornful, injured shln'
Miss Redmond. sir, though she
old enough TO be Mrs. 4 wouloh
so much mind lEr coming in here ana
using the parsons china that AZ
ways washed with my own hands II
she was a Mrs. But what can she, an
unmarried woman and an opery sing
er, know about Parson Thayers ways
and Keeping this house In order, wheh
I've been with him going on II years
and he took me outer the Home when
I was no more than child
Alexis heart would have been stone
had he resisted this all but passion
ate plea.
you have been faithfulness itself
I am sure. But do you think MISS
Redmond would see me. at least for 2
few minutes"
Salne recovered her dignity. whicf
had been near collapse in tears, ano
assumed her official tone. Il dom
know as YOU can, and I don't know
I as YOU can't. She's sick, too; Tell over
board somehow or other. offer one o
those pesky boats. and got neuralag
and | don't know what all. But II
go and see how she's feeling.
STAY. wait a minute" said Aleck
seized with a new thought. III write
A message TO Miss Redmond and ther
she'll know just what want.
you'll be so good as TO take II U
herr"
Why, certainly. OF course | Will
said Sallie Kingsbury. Only yo'
needn't take all that trouble cal
tell her what you want myself. SANE
was one of those persons who regart
the pen as the weapon of last resort
not TO be used until necessity com
pels. But Aleck continued writing oil
a blank leaf OF his notebook Th'
message was this:
Can you give me any information
concerning my cousin, James ham
bleton, who was thought 10 be aboar'
the Jeanne D'Arc?"
He tore the leaf out. extracted
card from his pocketbook, and hand
ed leaf and card to Sallie. 'W!li yo'
D case give those 10 Miss Redmond?
ssliie wipai her hands, Which wer
perfectly clean. on her white apron
took the card and bit 80 paper and dt
parted. smiling audibly When sh
returned. It waste say, with slight
w more interested an. that Miss REQ
mond wished TO see him upstairs. Sh
stood at The bottom of the wide stair
way and pointed to corner OF IN
, Iupper f,cor. She's in there-roor
on the right" and so she stalked OF
TO the kitchen
. Aleck Van Camp sought the regio
| indicated by Sallie's gaunt finger wit
some misgivings; but he was present
ly guided further by clear voice.
Come in this way. Mr.. Van CamI
liz you please
The voice led him TO an open door
before which he stood, looking int
n large. old-fashioned bedroom, fror
|, whose windows the white curtain
fiuttered in the breeze. Miss Red
mond was propped up with pillow
ION n horsehair-covered lounge. whic
stood along the foot OF monstrou