The state herald., 1913-06-20

less spirit haunted her. She thought
OF that other night on the water, full
OF heartbreaking struggle as 1t was.
as happy night compared to the one
which was yet to come. She realized
their foolish talk while they were on
the beach. and smiled sadly over 1t.
her courage was at the ebb. She felt
that the buoyancy OF spirit that had
sustained them both during the night
OF struggle could never revisit the
wasted and disorganized body lying In
Parson Thayer's house-her house. A
certain practical sense that was
strong In her rose and questioned
whether she had done everything that
could be done for his welfare. She
thought so. Had she not even prayed,
with all her concentration of mind
and will? She heard again Susan
Stoddard's deep voice: mo striving
toward God is ever lost!" In spite OF
her unfaith, sense OF rest in pow
er larger than herself came upon her
unawares. Danny. who had wandered
away. came back and sat down heavi-
ly on the edge of her skirt. close to
her. Good Danny!" she praised. pet
ting him to his hearts content.
1t was thus that Aleck Van Camp
found them, as he came over the stile
from the house. His tones were slow
er and more precise than ever. but his
face was drawn and marked with .anx-
iety. He had careful thought for
Agatha, even in the face Of his great
er trouble.
You have chosen bad hour to
wander about, Miss Redmond. The
evening dews are heavy"
Yes. know: Danny and were
Just going home. Have you been into
the house?"
Yes. | left Doctor Thayer there in
consultation with the other physician
that came today. They sent me off.
Old Jim--well. you know as well as
! do. With your permission. I'm 60
Ing to stay the night. I'll bunk in the
hall. or anywhere. Don't think of q
bed for me; don't want one
I'm glad you'll stay. 1t seems
somehow, as II every one helps: that
is, every one who cares for him"
Doctor Thayer thinks there Will be
a change tonight. though 1t is difficult
to tell. Jims family have my tele
gram by this time. and they will gel
my letter tomorrow, probably. Any
way. shall wait until morning before
! send another message"
The tension of their thoughts was
too sharp: they turned for relief tc
the scene before them, stopping al
the stile to look back at the steeplet
white church. standing under iti
spreading balm-of Gilead tree.
ut seems strange" said Agatha
ito think that sat out there undel
that big tree as little girl. Every
thing is so different now"
"llion, then. was once your homer
NO. never my home. though 1t wal
once my mothers home. used t.
visit here occasionally. years an,
years ago"
Aleck produced his Quizzical grin
"A gallant person would protest tha
that is Incredible"
'I wasn't angling for gallantry,
Agatha replied wearily. 81 am TWEEN
ty-six. and l haven't been here Ger
tainly since | was eight years old
Eighteen years are n good many"
ITO youth. yes." acquiesced Alech
Which reminds me. by contrast, o
the hermit; he was so incredibly old
It was he who unwittingly put me oil
Jim's trail. He said that the owner o
proprietor OF the Jeanne Dare wa
dropped ashore on his island"
Monsieur Chatelard?" cried Agaths
81 don't know his name"
III II was Monsieur Chatelard.
Agatha paused. looking earnestly a
Aleck, II II was he. It Ia the man VIII
trickcd me into his motor.car in Ne,
York. drugged me and carried m
aboard his yacht while was uncor
scious."
Aleck turned n sharp. though no
unsympathetic. gaxe upon Agatha. ''
have told no one but Doctor Thayel
and he did not believe me. But Il
quite true: the wreck saved mo. prot
ably. from something worse. though
don't know what"
II there had been skepticism o
Alexis face for an instant II had diI
appeared. Instead. there was dee
concern. MS he considered tha case.
Had you ever seen the man Chat,
lard beforef"
''Never 10 my knowledge"
did be visit you on board IN
yachtf"
only once. was put into III
charge OF an old lady. n Frenchwomar
Madame sone: evidently truste
chapcron. or nurse. or something lik
that when came to myself In