The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1913-03-21
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By MARTHA BELLINGER.
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, MARTHA BEIsL7INGERs


face. with its laughing. true eyes.
Jimmy" she said-he had begged her
10 call him that-"lt seems as II /,
too had known you long time. More
than these little two weeks"
1T is more; you said So" put in
Jim.
Yes; a little more. And II II
hadn't been for you, shouldn't be
here, or anywhere. often think OF
I that"
You see!" he cried. Il had to have
you, even IL | followed you halfway
round the globe; even II had to jump
into the sea. Kismet-you can't es-
cape me-"
But Agatha was only half smiling
NO." she protested, 1t is not that
owe"
Jim put his fingers on her lips
Tut. tut! Dear girl. you owe moth
ing. except to your own courage and
good swimming. But as for me, why.
you know I'm yours"
James" Agatha could not help
preaching a bit, Just because we hap
pen 70 be the actors in an adventure
is no reason, no real reason, why we
should be silly about each other. VS.
don't have to end the story that way"
oh don't we? Wen see!" shouted
Jim. And I'm not silly, II some other
people are. | don't see why | should
be cheated out of a perfectly good
climax, II you put it 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 to do any
thing, or everything, that you honest
ly want, after you get we'll I'll lis
ten to you then. But I'm not going
to let man who is just out of a de-
llrium make love to me-"
But I'm not just out. / only had
a whack on the head, and that's moth
ing I'm strong as an OK. I'm saner
than anybody. Do listen to me, Aga
tha."
Mono, l mustn't"
But tell me, dear. You're free?
You're not" he searched for the
word that suited his mood-"you're
not plighted?"
She smiled. No, I'm not pllghted."
"Ah!" he chortled, and seized both
her hands, putting them to his lips.
She stood over him, looking down
tenderly.
Time for your broth, Mr.. Hamble-
ton, and Mr.. Straker wants to know
II 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. Straker?"
Tell him he may come in for few
minutes, Mr. Hand" directed Agatha. |
the manager was being in
troduced in the properest manner to
the invalid. Agatha, knowing James
would need protection from quizzing,
stayed by.
Now, tell me-" wheedled Mr.. Stral1-
or, "the whole story just exactly as
L happened to you, please. It's very
important that l should know all the
letails"
So Jimmy, aided now and then by
agatha, delivered a Strakerized YER
'ion of the wreck and the arrival at
lion.
But before that" questioned the
manager. How did you happen to be
IN the Jeanne D'Arc?"
For the first time James hesitated.
Jot even Agatha knew that part OF
he story. Il was picked up by the
eanne Dare in New York harbor," ;
e replied slowly.
Mr.. Straker frowned "How-pick-
d up?"
"Out Of the water
What were you in the water for?'
81 had just dropped off a tug" {
What for?"
Because l wanted the yacht to pick q
lie up" $
At this point Mr. Straker directed t
commiserating look at Agatha. 1t /
aid Crazy" as plain as words. /
What were you on the tug for?"
II had followed the yacht" e
What for?" t
The pause before James next an
yer was apparent When 1t came, +
ere came with it that same seven
,ar-old look of smiling ingenious
sss. II just wanted to see what they
ere going to do with Miss Redmond" Il
"Jimminy Christmas!" exploded Mr.. ii
raker. ANY more kinks in this II
ory? How'd you know they'd
olen Miss Redmond?" il
And so Jimmy had to tell It all,
th the abominable Straker growing G
ore and more excited every minute, W
d Agatha standing mute and awe