The Detroit times., 1912-04-24
CHAPTER XVI.
A Fighting Chance.


The d.ning-room OF the old red house
was cool. and fragrant from the BIOS
soming heliotrope bed below It's win
dow. The twilight. which is long IN
eastern Maine. shed a soft glow over
the old mahogany and silver, and an
equally soft and becoming radiance
over the two women seated at the
table. After sonorous blessing. ut
tered by Mrs. Stoddard in tones full
oil JUNCTION. she and Agatha ate sup
per In a sympathetic silence. II was
a meal upon which Sallie Kingsbury
expended her best powers rs cook,
with no mean results; but nobody
took much notice OF il. after all Mrs.
Stoddard poured her tea into her
saucer. drinking SAd eating absent
mindedly Her face lighted with some
thing very like a smile whenever she
caught Agatha's eyes, but To her talk
was not necessary. Sallie lowered
around the door. even though Lizzie
had condescended TO put on white
apron and serve. But Agatha sent tile
city maid away, bidding her wait on
the people in the sick room instead.
Mr.. Hand had been left with the
patient and had acqujesced in the
Plan 10 stay on duty until midnight,
when Mrs. Stoddard was TO be called.
Agatha had spent an hour with
James, helping Mrs. Stoddard. or
watching the patient while the nurse
made many necessary trips TO the
kitchen. The sight of James woeful
plight drove every thought from her
mind. engagements and managers
lost their reality, and became shadow
memories beside the viyidness of his
desperate need He had no knowl
edge OF her. or OF any efforts TO se
cure his comfort He talked inces
sanity. sometimes in soft. unintelh
sible murmur, sometimes in loud and
emphatic tones His eyes were bril-
| liant but wandering. his movements
were abrupt or violent. Needless OF
! feeble, a. the moment decreed. HI
( talked about the dingy. nasty fo'cas lie
! the absurdity of his not being able
| 10 get around. the fine outfit OF tbs
| Sea Gull, the chill OF the water. IL
sometimes swore softly. almost apollo
Getically. and he uttered most nm
christian sentiments toward sons
person whom he described as wearins
extremely neat and dandlfied clothes
| After the first five minutes Agath-
paid no heed TO his words. and coult
| bear TO stay In the room only whel
she was able 10 do something L
soothe or comfort him. She was no
wholly unfamiliar with illness and tn
trouble that comes in It's train, bu
the sight OF James, with his unrecoe
nizing eyes and his wits astray.
superb engine gone wild brought
sharp and hitherto unknown pain 4
her throat She stood over his bed
holding his hands when he woul'
reach frenziedly into the air afte
some object of his feverish desire
she coaxed him back to his PILLOW
when he fancied he must run TO cate
something that was escaping him.
took nerve and strength TO care 70
him: unceasing vigilance and in
genulty were required in circumvent
ing his erratic movements
And through II all there was some
thing about his clean, honest mini
and person that stirred only affection
ate pity. He was a child. taking
child's liberties Mrs. Stoddard brood
ed over him already, as a mother owe
her dearest son: Mr.. Hand had turne
gentle as a woman and gave the sci
I vice OF love, not of the eye. His ski
in managing almost rivaled Mrs
Stoddards James accepted Hand
ministrations as matter of course
became more docile under his treat
ment. and watched for him when h
disappeared. Indeed, the whole house
hold was taxed for James: an
Agatha, deeply distressed as she was
throbbed with gratitude that sh
could help care for him, II only for Al
hour
Thus II was that the two womer
eating their supper and looking on
over Hercules Thayer's pleasant gal
den. were silent. Mrs. Stoddard wa
thinking about the duties of the nigh
Agatha was swallowed up in the mis-
cries of the last hour. Mrs. Stoddar