Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1913-06-26
CHAPTER XI.--ContInued.

They were near the bayberry bush,
though entirely out from its protec-
ton. AS the drizzling rain settled
down thicker and thicker about them,
Agatha tried again. Slowly she
coaxed James to his knees. and slowly
she helped him creep, as she had crept
toward him in the night, along the
stones and up into the sheltered cor
ner under the bayberry. 1t was only
q little better than the open, and 1t
had taken such prodigies of strength
to get there!
Agatha made q pillow for James
head and sat by him, looking earnestly
at his flushed face; and from her heart
she sighed, "Ah, dear man, it was too
hard! It was too hard!"
1t was a long and weary wait for
help, though help of a most efficient
kind was on the way. Agatha had
been looking and listening toward the
upper wood, whittier Hand had disap-
peared. She had even called, from
time to time, on the chance that she
could help to guide the assisting
party back to the cove At last, as she
listened for a reply to her call, she
heard another sound that set her won
sdering; it was the p-p-peter-peter of a
motor boat. She looked out over the
small expanse of ocean that was v1si-
BILE to her, but could see nothing. New
ertheless the boat was approaching, as
Its putting proclaimed. 1t grew more
and mor distinct, and presently a
strong voice shouted Alloy! Are you
there?"
Three times the shout came. Agatha
made a trumpet of her hands and an
swered with a call on two notes, clear
and strong. "All right" came back;
and then. Call again! We can't find
gou!" And so she called again and
again, though there were tears in her
eyes and a lump in her throat for
very relief and joy. When her eyes
cleared, she saw the boat, and watched
while 1t anchored we'll off the rocks;
then two men put ashore in a row.
boat.
And where are our ~patients?" came
a deep voice from the rocks.
This way, sir. | think mademoi-
selle has moved the camp up under
The Trees" was the reply, unmistaka-
bly, the voice Of Mr.. Hand.
And there they found Agatha, kneel-
ing by James and trying to coax him
70 his feet. Quick, they have come!
You will be cared for now, you will be
well again." she was saying. She saw
Hand approach and heard him say:
This way, Doctor Thayer. The gen.
'tleman is up hereunder the trees"
and then, for the first time in all the
long ordeal, Agatha's nerves broke and
uer throat filed with sobs. AS the ex-
chauffeur came near, she reached a
band up to him, while with the other
she covered her weeping eyes In
shame.
"Oh, I'm SO glad you've come! I'm
so glad you've GOMEZ" she tried to say,
but 1t was only a whisper through her
sobs.
I'm sorry I was gone so long" said
Hand. touching her timidly on the
shoulder.
Tell the doctor to take care of
him." she begged in the faintest of
voices; and then she crept away,
thinking to hide her nerves until she
could come to herself again. But
Hand followed her to the niche In the
rocks where she fed, covered her with
something big and warm. and before
she knew 1t he had made her drink a
cur that was comforting and good.
Then he gave her food in little bits
from q basket. and sweet water out OF
a bottle. Agatha's soul revived within