The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-05-08
CHAPTER XXI.


Jim put his fingers on her lips.
Tut. tut, Dear girl, you owe nothing.
except TO your own courage and good
know I'm yours.
James" Agatha could not help
preaching a bit. Just because We
happen 10 be the actors in an adven-
ture is no reason. no real reason, why
we should be silly about each other.
We don't have TO end the story that
way"
oh don't we! Wen see!" shout.
ed Jim. And I'm not silly. II some
other people are. don't see why |
should be cheated out of perfectly
good climax, II you put II that way,
any more than the next fellow.
Agatha, dearest"
But she wouldn't listen to him. No.
no." she protested slowly but earn
estly. Look here, Mr.. James Ham
bleton. of Lynn, | promise 10 do
anything. or everything, that you
honestly want, after yon get well.
I'll listen TO you then But I'm not
going TO let man who is just out
of delirium make love TO me-"
But I'm not just out only had
whack on the head, and that's
nothing. I'm strong as an OK. I'm
saner than anybody. Do listen TO
me. Agatha"
"No-no, | mustn't.
But tell me, dear. You're free?
You're not" he searched for the
word that suited his mood-'youre
not plighted?"
She smiled mo. I'm not plighted.
All" he chortled. and seized both
her hands. putting them to his lips.
She stood over him, looking down
tenderly.
Time for your broth. Mr.. Handle
ton. and Mr. Straker wants TO know
IL he can see you interrupted Mr..
Hand.
Cant see him, Andy. I'm very
busy" began Jim: then added by
the way, who IS Mr. StFakeF p,
] Tell him he may come in for a
! few minutes. Mr. Hand" directed
Agatha. Presently the manager was
4; being introduced in the pFePeFest
manner to the invalid Agatha,
knowing James would need protec-
ton from quizzing, stayed by
Now. tell me-" wheedled Mr..
Straker. the whole story just exact
" as II happened TO YOU please. It's
very important that | should know
all the details.
| So Jimmy. aided now and then by
, Agatha. delivered a Straker-iZed
version OF the wreck and the arrival
at lion.
but before that" questioned the
manager How did you happen 70
be on the Jeanne D'Arc?"
For the first time James hesitated
Not even Agatha knew that part OF
the story. Il was picked up by the
Jeanne D,AEe-in-- Nsw-Yorl -harbnr.,
he replied slowly.
Mr. Straker frowned. "How-pick.
ed up?"
What were you in The water for?
II had just dropped of a tug.
What for?"
because wanted the yacht to
pick me up"
AT this point Mr.. Straker directed
commiserating look at Agatha. II
said Crazy" as plain as words.
What were you on the tug for?'
II had followed the yacht"
What for?'
The pause before James's next an.
swer was apparent When il came
there came with ii that same seven.
year-old look of smiling ingenious
ness. II just wanted TO see what
they were going 10 do with Miss Red
mond."
"Jimminy Christmas" exploded
Mr. Straker Any more kinks in
this story? How'd you know they'd
stolen Miss Redmond"
And so Jimmy bad to tell 1t all, with
the abominable Straker growing more
and more excited every minute, and
Agatha standing mute and awe-struck
looking at him. IL was plain that Jim
my, for the moment, had the upper
hand. And that's about ALL" he
laughed.
What on earth, man. is the matter
with your" fumed Straker. Didn't
you know there were a hundred
chances TO one the yacht wouldn't pick
you up?"
Jimmy nodded unabashed. Zone
chance Is good enough for me- Moth
ing can kill me this trip. tell you
I'm good for anything. Lucky stars
over me. knew il all the time"
Straker turned disguised face to-
ward Agatha. He's crazy as loon
Isn't he?" he questioned glumly. But
Jimmy knew his man.
No, not crazy, Mr. Straker Only
a touch o sun! And it's glorious
isn't Il, Miss Redmond?"
She loved him for his boyish laugh.