The Detroit times., 1912-04-23
CHAPTER XIV.
Continued.


Perfectly" heartily responded
Mrs Stoddard, and MI Hand disap'
peared like the mist before the sun.
II was TO be an afternoon of excite
ment. after all. though Agatha thought
trat she would apply herself 10 the
strengthening ont of much necessary
business Bur after an hours work
over letters al Parson Thayers desk,
there occurred an ebullition below
which could be nothing less than the
arrival of Lizzie, Agatha's maid, with
sundry articles Of luggage. She was
a small.mnded but efficient city girl,
clever enough 10 keep her job b.
making herself useful. and sophistl-
Gated TO the point OF indecency. NO
woman ought ever 10 have known so
much as Lizzie knew. Agatha was
10 hear how she had been relieved by
the telegram several days before, now
she had nearly killed herselI packing
In such haste, how she thouShl she
was travelling TO the ends OF the earth,
coming thus TO q region she had never
heard OF before.
Bic Simon. who had been Instruct
ed 10 watch for Lizzie and brins her
and her baggage out, presently ar
rived with the trunks, having sent the
maid on ahead in the buggy Win hl9
| son. Big Simon positively declined 70
carry the two trunks 10 the second
/ floor saying he thought they a IKE II
| Just as well. OF better. II he ieil them
| in the hall downstairs. Lizzie was
angrily hesitating whether 10 argue
with him or use the persuasion OF one
| of her mistress silver coins, wheh
! Agatha interfered, and saved her from
making the mistake OF her lie. IL -
doubtful II she could have lived IN
lion after having been guilty OF up
ping one OF its foremost citizens. Ana
even if she had, she would not nave
cot the trunks taken upstairs.
The prospect Of discardlns same
kingsbuty's makeshifts and wearing
a dress which belonged 10 her PAD
more comfort in II than Agatha hau
ever believed possible; and the real
lity was even better. She MADE
\ toilet. for the first time in many days
With her accustomed accessories
dressed herself in white WOOL gown
and felt better.
Are these the relatives you were
visiting, Miss Redmond inquired
Lizzie. eaten up with curiosity. which
Was her mortal weakness.
Agatha paused, struck with the
form of the maids question; but
knowing her liking for items OF news
she answered cautiously:
mot relatives exactly. The Thay
ers were old friends OF my mother.
Lizzie shook out a skirt and huns
n in the wardrobe in the far corner
of the room. She was bursting tS
know everything about Miss Red
mond's sudden journey, but knew pet
ter than to appear anxious.
The message at the hotel was sc
: indefinite that | didn't know al al
! What I should do. After the excite
ment ouieted down little, went on
to visit my cousin Hattie, IN tn'
Bronx" -,
what sort of excitement?
ooh newspaper men. and the man
: ager and Herr Weimar. OF the OF
, chestra. and a lot OF other people wn'
came. wanting to see you immediate
llly. They seemed TO think | was Mo
ing you somewhere
r Agatha smiled. She could lmaglh
Lizzie in her new-nedged importance
: talking TO all those people
You spoke OF a message ven
Itured Agatha.
Yves. the one you sent the day yo
a loft Miss Redmond The hotel cler
a said YOU had suddenly left town o.
a visit to a sick relative.
4 "Oh, yes"
i. Lizzie's quick scent was already o
ire trail of a mystery, but Agatha wa
in no mood just then to give her an
n version of the events OF that Monda
9 afternoon.
WAS there any other message. Mis-
k Redmond? Some word for me, wnlc
the clerk forgot TO deliver?'
mo. nothing else"
"Nr. Straker came Tuesday morr
y ing with some contracts for YOU
sign. He said that YOU had an al
pointment with him. and he wa
II nearly crazy when he found you ha
gone away without leaving your &C
?" dress"
Agatha smiled more and NOR
broadly. to Iizzie's disgust, but sh
could not help IT, II don't doubt h
d was disturbed Did he come again
e Come again. Miss Redmond Lii
zie hung a blue silk coat over II
II hanger. held it carefully up to th
+. llieht. and turned toward her mistres
d with the mien OF a person who ism
u TO be bamboozled He came twic
II every day TO see IL | had any wor
,,o,,. and whan I Wanf N Cnusi