Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1913-08-01


Jim.
YES; a little more. And II It
hadn't been for you, l shouldn't be
here. or anywhere. often think of
that"
you see!" he cried. II had to have
you. eve II I followed you halfway
round the globe; even II I had to jump
into the sea. Kismet-you can't es-
cape mel"
But Agatha was only half smiling.
NO." she protested. 1T Is not that.
I 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 to be the actors in an 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, II some other
people are. l don't e why l should
be cheated out Of a perfectly good
climax, II you put 1t that way. any
more than the next fellow. Agatha.
dearest"
But she wouldn't listen to him. mo,
no." she protested, slowly but earn
estly. Look here. Mr.. James Ham
bleton, of Lynn! l 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 a man who is just out Of a de-
lirium make love to me-"
But I'm not Just out. I only had
a whack OF 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, I mustn't"
But tell me, dear. You're free!
Yot're not" he searched for the
word that suited his mood-'you're
not plighted?"
I She smiled. mo, I'm not plighted."
"Ah!" he chortled, and seized beth
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
If 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 as
1t happened to you. please. It's very
important that I should know all the
details"
So Jimmy, aided now and then by
Agatha, delivered a Strakerized 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 DArcf"
For the first time James hesitated.
Not even Agatha knew that part Of
the story. II was picked up by the
Jeanne D'Arc IN New York harboY,"
he replied slowly.
Mr.. Straker frowned. "How-pick-
ed up?"
out Of the water
What were you In the water for?'
II had just dropped of a tug"
What fort"
Because l wanted the yacht to pick
M up"
At this point Mr.. Straker directed
a commiserating look at Agatha. 1t
said Crazy" as plain as words.
What were you or the tug foS?"
Il had followed the yacht"
What for?"
The pause before James next an
swer was apparent. When 1t came,
there came with 1t that same seven
year-old look Of smiling ingenious
ness. Il just wanted to Q 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 1t all,
with the abominable Straker growing
more and more excited every minute.
and Agatha standing mute and awe
struck, looking at him. It was plain
that Jimmy, for the moment, had the
upper hand. "And that's about ALL"
he laughed.
What on earth, man. is the matter
with your" fumed Straker. Didn't
you know there were a hundred
chances to one the yacht wouldn't
pick you up?"
Jimmy nodded, unabashed. "One
chance Ii good enough for me. Moth
ing can kin me this trip, l tell you.