The Detroit times., 1912-04-17
THE ~
STOLEN 81
SINGER @
A GREAT SERIAL STORY BY w.
MARTHA !. B !: y! l.!l l!:!!, 4 M


OF wood wrapper, and over her feet
was thrown a faded travelling rug. BY
her side stood chair on which were
writing materials, Alexis note and
card, and half-written letter. Agatha
sat up as she greeted Aleck.
Il am glad 10 see you. Mr. Van
Camp. VIII you come ing ask your
pardon for not coming downstairs TO
see you. but | have been Ill, and am
not strong yet"
She was about to motion Aleck TO
chair, but stopped in the midst OF
her speech, arrested by his express
sion. Aleck stood rooted TO the door
sill. with look OF surprise on his
face which amounted TO actual amaze
ment Thus apparently startled out
OF himself, he regarded Agatha earn
estly.
"Will you come i'm" Agatha repeat
ed al last
Pardon me-" he said finally In his
precise drawl, but | confess to be-,
ing startled. You-you bear such an
extraordinary resemblance TO some
one know, that though II must
really be she. for a moment.
Agatha smiled family You look
ed as II you had seen ghost"
Aleck gazed at her again, a long,
scrutinizing look. 1T does make one
feel queer, you know
But now that you are assured that
I'm not ghost, will you sit down!
That chair by the window. please.
And can't tell you how glad | am to
! see you; for James Hambleton, your
cousin, If he is your cousin, is here
in this house. and he is ill-very Ill
| indeed"
Alexis nonchalance had already
disappeared. in the series OF sur
prises; but at Agatha's words flush
of pleasure and relief overspread his
| face. He strobe quickly over toward
Agatha's couch.
"Oh. say-old JIM thought,
was afraid"
| Agatha was touched by the evil
dences OF his emotion, and her voice
became very gentle. Il fancy 1t Is
the same-James Hambleton OF
Lynn" Aleck nodded and she went
on: That's what he told me, the
night we were wrecked
/ Agatha looked at Aleck, as II she
would discover whether he were trust
worthy or not. before giving him
more of her story. Presently she con-
tinued:
He's very brave. very wonder
full man. He jumped overheard TO
save me, after | fell from the ladder
and then they left us and We swan
ashore But long before We got there
II tainted and he brought me In, all
the way. though he was nearly dead
OF exhaustion himself, He had
hemorrhage from over-exertion, and
afterward a chill And now there Is
fever"
Agathas voice was trembling. Aleck
watched her as she told her tale. the
flush OF happiness and Joy still light
ing up his face AS she finished re-
lating the meager facts which TO her
denoted so many heart-throbs, sob
drowned her voice. AS Aleck follow
cd the story, his own eyes wavered.
That's Jim, down TO the ground.
Good old boy" he said
There was silence for minute.
then he heard Agatha's voice, grown
little and faint. IF he should die
Aleck. still standing by Agatha's
couch. suddenly shook himself.
"Where is he? Can see him now"
Agatha got up slowly and led the
way down the hall pointing to door
that stood ajar. 1t was evident that
she was weak.
Il can't go in-I can't bear to see
him so H." she whispered; and as
Aleck looked at her before entering
the sick-room, he saw that her eyes
were filled with tears.
Agatha went back 10 her couch,
feeling that the heavens had opened.
Here was a friend come to her from
. she knew not where. whose right IL
was TO assume responsibility for the
sick man. He was kind and good, and
, he loved her rescuer with the boyish
devotion OF their school-days. He
, would surely help; he would work
with her to keep death away. What
ever love and professional skill could
do, should be done; there had been
no question as TO that. of course,
from the beginning But here was
some one VINO would double. yet more
than double her own efforts; 0me
one who was strong and well and
capable. Her heart was thankful.