The Springfield herald., 1913-06-20
&$ $TOEEN ( l. \ @8
8 9 SINGER.
bn MARTHA BELIINGER.

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 II l..
too. had known you long time. More
than these little two weeks"
1T Is more; you said So" put in
Jim.
Yes: little more. And II 1t
hadn't been for you. l shouldn't be
here, or anywhere. i often think of
that"
You see!" he cried. "f.had to have
you. even ii followed you halfway
round the globe: even II had to jump
into the sea. Kismet-you can't es-
cape mel"
But Agatha was only half smiling.
NO." she protested, ut 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, '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. don't see why l should
be cheated out of perfectly good
climax. If you put 1t that way. any
more than the next fellow. Agatha,
dearest"
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 a man who IL Just out of de-
lirium make love to me-"
But I'm not just out. only had
q whack on the head. and that's moth
ing. I'm strong a. an OF. I'm saner
than anybody. Do listen to me, Aga,
thA-"
Mono, / mustn't"
But tell me, dear. You're free!
You're not" he searched for the
word that suited his mood-'you'r re
not plighted?"
She smiled. mo. I'm not plighted.' u
"Ah!" 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
no Int kAH -
Hand.
Cant see him. Andy. I'm yer,
busy" began Jim; then added. by
the way. who is Mr.. Straksr!"
Tell him he may come in for 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.
Nov, tell me-" wheedled Mr. Strak
er, the whole story just exactly as
1t happened to you, please. It's very
important that should know all the
details"
So Jimmy, aided now and then by
Agatha, delivered 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'Arc7"
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?''
81 had just dropped OF a tug"
What for?"
Because 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?"
"I 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. I 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 1t all.
with the abominable Straker growing
more and more excited every minute,