Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1913-08-08


you leave me this way"
you will have to. am going back
to the house."
Up to this point, James had merely
been playing tag. as II were. Inc
game wasn't really on. A little skir
mishing on either side was In order.
But Agatha's last words were the CAL
to action. They reused the ghost OF
some old HAambleton ancestor who
meant not to be beaten. Jim squared
himself in tn middle Of the path.
touched AgatHa's shoulder with the
lightest, most respectful finger, ana
requested: "But would ask you. az
special favor, to stay few min
utes longer"
Jim's tone left Agatha no choice.
She sat down again ON the pine stump.
but she could not meet Jimmys eyes
He stood few feet away from her.
When he spoke. his voice was firm
and steady. ringing with earnestness.
There was no doubt now but that ne
was In the game for all he was worth.
Agatha, you shall not turn me
down like this. Walt until you KNOW
me better, and know yourself better.
You've had no time to think this mae'
ter over, and 1t involves good DEAL
l admit. But we have lived through
a good deal together in these Few
weeks. I'm here; I'm here to stay
You can't say now. dear. that you
care nothing for me-can your
What is the use Of all this. ASK
You will always be my friend. my res
cuer, to whom l am eternally CRATE
full"
Jimmy emitted a sound halfway BE-
tween "Shucks" and Damn" ana
swung impatiently clean round on mn
heels.
Grateful be hanged I don't want
anybody 70 be grateful. want you 70
love me-to marry me- Why, Agatha
he argued boyishly. his hopes rising
as he saw her face soften little,
you're mine, for piucked you out OF
the sea. had to have You. guess
knew 1t that Sunday, onky II was way
on, somewhere in the back OF my
brain. You're q dream rye always
loved, lust as this old house to. You're
the woman I could have prayed Tor.
| III do, I'll be, anything you wish; I'll
change myself over. but oh. don't say
you won't have me. Agatha. Agatha,
you dent know how much you mean
to mel"
Before his speech was finished.
James, according to the good old fash
ion, was down on his knees before his
lady, and had imprisoned one OF her
hands. Stole she was. not to yield
Her eyes had suspicious moistness'
as she shook her head.
you will always be the most gal
liant, unself1sh friend have ever
known. But"
"But-what?"
Marry you can not"
"Why not?"
II can not marry anybody"
Then Jimsy said disgraceful
thing. you kissed me once. VIII you
do 1t again7"
At this impudence, she neither go'
: angry nor changed her mind-a bat
sign for Jimmy. She put his hant
away, saying: you must forgive me
the kiss"
Jimmy jumped to his feet with an
other inarticulate sound. every whit
as bad as an oath. and stood before
: her.
; Agatha Redmond, will you marry
mel"
NO"
Jim turned In his tracks and lef'
the wood.
Two hours later. at supper. Jim wal
inquired for.
Our last supper together, and Mr.
Hambleton not here!" mourned Cham
beRlain.
Agatha felt guilty, but could scarce
lly confess 1t. You are all invited TO
: next year, you know" she said.
And we're all coming" announces
Melanie. But poor Mr.. Hambletol
will miss his supper tonight"
n The poor Mr. Hambleton" strucl
a Agatha. 'T think Mr.. Hambleton
doing very we'll indeed. saw hir
q start on for a walk this afternoon"
"Jim's a chump Give him q col
potato" 1eered Aleck.
q But after supper was over. and tn
a twilight deepened into darkness
Agatha sought Aleck where she coul
q speak with him alone
d IL think Mr.. Hambleton wa
L troubled when he left here this afte
noon" she said Can you thin
3 where he would be likely to got h
It is not strong enough to bear niue
l hard exercise yet"
Z Aleck looked at her keenly.
a, "If he went anywhere. think hc'
so straight to the yacht"
X "I feel little anxious. someway
confessed Agatha
Chamberlain's voice broke IN upc
IS them. Anybody ready to take m
10 down to the Sea Gull in the cart"
sr As Aleck started for the machin
the anxiety in Agatha's face perceI
ot IDLY lightened. And may go viii
O. you r. she asked eagerly.
al Cro BE coNTNUEDl
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