The Detroit times., 1912-04-30

CHAPTER XVIII.
Continued.

Agatha had not heard Miss Rey-
niers name before, but she knew
vaguely that Mr.. Van Camp had been
with yachting party when he ar
rived at Charlesport. Now that she
was face 10 face with Miss Reynier.
keen liking and interest, quick
confidence, rose in her heart for her.
Then perhaps YOU know Mr.. Ham
bleton." said Agatha impulsively. THE
fever turned last night Were you
told that he is better?"
NO, don't know him." said Me-
LAME, shaking her head "Neverthe-
less, | am heartily glad TO hear that
he is better Much better, they said
at the house"
They had been standing at the
place where Agatha had first discov-
cred her visitor, but now they turned
baSI into the clearing.
Come and try the organ pipes
again." she begged They walked
about the wood. singing first one
strain and then another. testing the
curiously beautiful properties OF the
pine dome. They were quickly on
footing OF friendliness. Ii was evident
that each was capable OF laying aside
formality, when she wished 10 do so,
and each was, at heart, frank and sim
cere. Melanie's talent for song was
not small, yet she recognized In
Agatha a superior gift; while, to
Agatha, Melanie Reynier seemed In
creasingly mature, polished, full OF
charm.
They left the wood and wandered
back through the pasture and over the
stile. each learning many things In re-
gard to the other They spoke OF the
place and its beauty, and Agatha told
Melanie of the childhood memories
which, for the first time, she had re-
yived in their living background.
How our thoughts change she
said at last las child. | never felt
this farm TO be lonely; IL was the most
populous and entertaining place in all
the world. | much preferred the
wood to anything in the city. | love
IL now, too, but 1t seems the essence
of solitude 10 me-"
That is because you have been
where the passions and restlessness
of men have centered.s One is never
the same after that"
Strangely enough. the place now
belongs TO me" went on Agatha.
"Parson Thayer. the former owner
and resident. was my mothers guar
dian and friend. and left the place TO
me for her sake"
"Ah, that is WELL" cried Melanie,
1T will be your castle OF retreat, your
Sans-Souci. for all your life. ! envy
you! II is charming. Pastor-Parson
do YOU say?-Parson Thayer was a
man OF judgment"
YES. and a man of strange and
| dominating personality. in his way
Everything about the house speaks
I OF him and his tastes. Even Danny
here follows me, | really believe, be
cause am beginning to appreciate
I his former master"
Agatha stopped and patted the dog
head Youth and health, helped by
| the sympathy OF friend. were work
/ ing wonders in Agatha. She beamed
with happiness.
/ Come into the house" she begged
| Melanie. "and look at some OF his
| books with me. But first well mo
Salhe and get luncheon. and perhaps
Mr.. Van Camp will appear by that
4 time. Poor man, he was quite worn
/ out Then you shall see Parsor
Thayer's books and flowers, II you
will"
They strolled over the velvet lawn
toward the front of the house. where
the door and the long windows stooo
open. Down by the road, and close
| TO the lilac bushes that fianked the
gateway. stood a large silver-whitt
utomobile-evidently Miss Reynier
conveyance The driver or Inc ma
chine had disappeared.
IL mustn't trespass on your KIND
ness for luncheon today, thank you,
Melanie was saying; but III come
again soon. If | may" Meantime sh'
was moving slowly down the walk
But Agatha would not have II so. Sh'
lc4rng to this woman friend with al
unwonted eagerness, begging her tt
stay.
I'VE are quite alone. and we have
been so miserable over Mr.. HANDLE
tons illness" she pleaded quite illogl
cally do stay and cheer US up"
And so Melanie was persuaded
easily. too. except for her compunc
tions about abusing the hospitality @
a household whose first care mus
necessarily be for the sick.
81 want TO stay" she said frankly
"The house breathes the very air o
restfulness itself: and | haven't seei
the garden at ALL" She walked baci
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