The Madison journal., 1913-07-19
said This is not a hospitable place,

said. This is not q hospitable place.
exactly, to receive a guest
The stranger laughed gently. Have
you guessed who | am, then? NO!
Well, you see had the advantage OF
you from the first. You are Miss Red
mond, and followed you here from
the house where your servant gave me
the directions. / am Miss Reynier.
Melanie Reynier, and am staying at
the Hillside. Mr.. Van Camp" and to
her own great surprise, Melanie
blushed crimson at this point-"that
is. we, my aunt and /, were Mr.. Van
Camps guests on board the Sea Gull.
When he heard Of the wreck OF the
Jeanne Dare We put in to Charles
port; though he has probably ex-
planned all this to you. II was such a
relief and pleasure to Mr.. Van Camp
to find his cousin, Ill as he was; for
he had feared the worst"
Agatha had not heard Miss Rey-
nier's name before. but she knew
vaguely that Mr.. Van Camp had been
with yachting party when he arrived
at Charlesport Now that she was
face to face with Miss Reynier. keen
liking and interest, a quick confidence,
rose In her heart for her.
Then perhaps you know Mr.. Ham
bleton," said Agatha impulsively.
THE fever turned last night. Were
you told that he is better?"
"No. l don't know him." said Me
lanie. shaking her head. "Neverthe-
less, | am heartily glad to hear that
he is better. Much better. they said
at the house"
They had been standing at the place
where Agatha had first discovered her
visitor. but now they turned back into
the clearing.
Come and try the organ pipes
again." she begged. They walked
about the wood. singing first one
strain and then another, testing the
curiously beautiful properties Of the
footing of friendliness. Ii was evident
that each was capable Of laying aside
formality. when she wished to do SO.
pine dome. They we're quickly on a
and each was, at heart, frank and sin
cere. Melanie's talent for song was
not small, yet she recognized In
Agatha a superior gift; while, to Aga
tha. Melanie Reynier seemed increas-
ingly mature, polished. full Of charm.
They left the wood and wandered
back through the pasture and over the
stile. each learning many things in re-
gard to the other They spoke Of the
place and its beauty. and Agatha told
Melanie OF the childhood memories
which, for the first time. she had re.
vived in their living background.
How our thoughts change!" she
said at last. "As a child. | never felt
this farm to be lonely: 1t was the
most populous and entertaining place
in all the world. / much preferred
the wood to anything in the city.
love It now, too; but 1t seems the
essence of solitude to me-"
THAT is because you have beer
where the passions and restlessness
Of men have centered. One Is never
the same after that"
Strangely enough, the place now
belongs to me-" went on Agatha. Par
son Thayer. the former owner and
resident. was my mothers guardian
and friend. and left the place to me
for her sake"
"Ah. that Is well!" cried Melanie
1T will be your castle Of retreat
your Sans-Souci. for all your life.
envy you! 1t Is charming. Pastor
Parson, do you say?-Parson Thayel
was a man of judgment"
YES, and a man Of strange and
dominating personality. in his way
Everything about the house speaks o.
him and his tastes. Even Danny here
follows me, l really believe. because
am beginning to appreciate his for
mer master"
Agatha stopped and patted the dog'I
head. Youth and health, helped b.
the sympathy of a friend, were work
ing wonders in Agatha She beamet
with happiness.
Come into the house." she begget
Melanie, and look at some Of hi
books with me. But first well I'm,
Sallie and get luncheon, and perhaps
Mr.. Van Camp will appear by tina
time. Poor man, he was quite worl
out. Then you shall see Parson Thay
ers books and flowers, If you will"
They strolled over the velvet lawl
toward the front Of the house, wher
the door and the long windows stoo,
open. Down by the road, and clos
to the lilac bushes that flanked tn
gateway, stood a large silver-whit
automobile-evidently Miss Reynier'
conveyance. The driver Of the ms
chine had disappeared.
Il mustn't trespass on your kindnes
for luncheon today, thank YOU" Me
lanie was saying; but I'll come agail
soon, II / may" Meantime she wa
moving slowly down the walk. Blu
Agatha would not have it SO. Oh
chung to this woman friend with a.
unwonted eagerness. begging her t
stay.
I'VE are quite alone, and we hav
been SO miserable over Mr.. Hamblt
toms Illness" she pleaded quite 4
logically. DO stay and cheer US up!
And SO Melanie was persuaded; eai
lily, too. except for her compunction
about abusing the hospitality Of
household whose first care must necei
sarily be for the sick.
II want to stay" she said frankl,
/ .trCbo hoI.aa hxoatha. h.