The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1913-08-09
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Agatha earnestly regarded his frank

face, with its laughing, true eyes.
Jimmy" she said-he had begged her
to call him that-'it seems AS if !.
too. had known you long time More
thaS these little two weeks"
IT is more; you said so" put In
jim.
Yes; little more. And if it
hadn't been for you, / shouldn't be
here. or anywhere. ! often think of
that"
You See" he cried. Il had to have
you. even if I followed you halfway
round the globe; even If had to jump
into the sea. Kismet-you can't es-
cape me-"
but Agatha was only half smiling.
No" she protested. lit 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 bit. lust because we hap
pen to be the actors in all adventure
is no reason. no real reason. why we
should be silly about each other We
don't have to end the story that way"
oh. don't we? Well see," shouted
Jim And I'm not silly, If some other
people are. don't see why | should
be cheated out of a perfectly good
climax, If you put II 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 well. I'll lis
ten to you then. But I'm not going
to let man who is just out of de-
lirium 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
tina"
III,
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. mo, I'm not plighted."
Ali" he chortled, and seized both
her hands, putting them to his lips.
She stood over him. looking down
tenderly.
Time for your broth, Mr. Handle
ton, and Mr.. Straker wants to know
IL 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 a few
minutes. Mr.. Hand" directed Agatha.
Presently 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.. Strak-
er, the whole story just exactly az
1t happened to you. please. It's very
important that should know all the
details"
So Jimmy, aided now and then by
Agatha, delivered a Straker-ized yer.
sion Of the wreck and the arrival at
lion.
But before that" questioned the
manager How did you happen to be
on the Jeanne D'Arc?"
For the first time James hesitated.
Not even Agatha knew that part of
the story. Il was picked up by the
Jeanne D'Arc IN New York harbor,"
he replied slowly.
Mr.. Straker frowned. "How-pick-
ed up?"
Out of the water
What were you in the water for!-
Il had just dropped OF a tug"
What for?"
Because I wanted the yacht to pick
me up"
At this point Mr.. Straker directed
a commiserating look at Agatha. 1t
said Crazy" as plain as words.
What were you on the tug for
Il had followed the yacht"
What forr
The pause before James next an
swer was apparent. When II came, |
there came with 1t that same seven
year-old look Of smiling ingenious
ness. Il just wanted to see what they
were going to do with Miss Redmond"
"Jimminy Christmas" exploded Mr..
Straker ANY more kinks In this /
story? How'd you know they'd
stolen Miss Redmond?"
And so Jimmy had to tell It all,
with the abominable Straker growing
more and more excited every minute,