The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1913-03-28

theory that Chatelnrd had made
straight for New York"
Not a bit OF H. Aleok and ! let
you all believe that, for the sake of
the ladies, But the evidence is all the
other way We would surely have
caught him II he had been on any Of
tao New York traihs believe he's
about here and means mischief yet"
III he's about here. there's no doubt
about the mischief"
I'm going down tonight TO bunk on
the Sea Gull Aleck let the men on.
TO so 10 a sailors dance over on one
of the islands. They'll probably be at
It all night, 80 I'm going back"
why not let me go? I'm fine as a
fiddle, You've had your full share Of
nasty detective work"
"Not ut all I'm booked to sec this
thing through
"All right" laughed Jlmsy. But #
you change your mind, let me know"
Arriving az the house, the men found
Il deserted. Windows were open and
doors Unmatched, but no one, not even
Danny, responded to Jim's call. Cham
berlain started for the Hillside IN the
car and Jim wandered about lone
somely, wondering where everybody
was. With Jim. as in most cases.
everybody meant one person; and
presently sallie. appearing slowly
from the upper regions, gave him his
clue. He started nimbly for the pine
wood.
The wagon road stretched alluring.
ly into the sun-hecked shade OF the
grove. a hush like that of primeyal
day threw It's uncanny influence over
the world. Jim felt something tugging
at his spirit that was unfamiliar, dis.
quieting. lie began 10 whistle Just
for company. and in moment, as n
al a signal call, Danny came along the
path. sedately trotting to meet him.
"Hullo. old pardner! So this is
where you are"
Danny said yes, and led Jim into
the clearing and up to a pine stump,
where every body sat, quite alone, chin
propped on hand. No singing, no book,
and-or did Jimmy imagine it?-a
spirit decidedly quenched. Her eye
lids we're red and her face was pale.
80, dear lady, have found you.
But ! was listening for the song"
There is no song today" Agatha's
manner resembled an Arctic breeze
May one ask why?"
"One can not always be singing"
No? Why not? could-if
could"
Agatha was obliged to relax a triAe |
at Jimmy's foollshness, but only TO |
reveal, more and more distinctly, a
wretchedness of spirit that was quite |
battling. 1t was not feminine wretch. |
edness waiting for a masculine com !
forter, either, as James observed with I
regret; It was a stoical spirit, braced |
to meet a blow-or to deal one.
Jimmy was not used to being
and instinctively prepared
for vigorous protest He began with
q little preliminary diplomacy.
You haven't inquired what I'm go,
ing to do with the remainder of my
holiday" he remarked.
Il supposed you would return soon
10 Lynn. Shall we walk back to the
louse?"
The unkind words were spoken in a
-are-sweet voice, courteously enough
Jim looked at the speaker a moment,
hen emphatically said No"
1T is quite time | was returning"
Have you anything there to do
hat is more important than listening
@ me for fifteen minutes ?"
Agatha did not pretend not to un-
ierstand him. She turned toward him
With unGinching eyes.
Truth to say, yes, Mr.. Hambleton,
have. l don't wish to listen to
inything."
"Oh-if you feel like that! Your
Mr.. Hambleton' is enough to strike
ne dumb"
Believe me. it is the best way"
Again, may one ask why?"
You are going back to your own ,
,eople, to your own work. And to
nine"
But that's the very point My idea
vas toto combine them"
81 guessed It," ,
Jimmy smiled his ingenious smile !
s he suavely asked. And don't you
-er-like the idea?"
Agatha turned her wretched white ,
ace toward him. Into it there had
one a grim determination that left
immy quite out in the cold.
81 have no choice in liking or dis. =
king It," she said quite evenly. But =
here are plenty of reasons why I
ant think Of it. And you shouldn't ,
hink Of it any more. | assure you,
ou are making a mistake"
She got up as if ready to walk
way, her face averted.
Agatha"
At the name she turned to jim, as
luch as 10 say she would be quite n
easonable if he would be- But her V
ice suddenly flushed gloriously. t.
Agatha, dear, hear me- did not h
ltend to tell you all my secret to- A
ay; not until should be on neutral II
round, so to speak. But ] can't let il
OH leave me this way" S
you will have to. am going back v
) the house" q
Up to this point James had merely a
cen playing tag, as it were. The O
anne wasn't really on. A little skir- b
fishing on either side was in order. f,
ut Agatha's last words were the call r
, action. They reused the ghost of n
,me old Hambleton ancestor who t
Alaska 0f Co.