The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1913-02-28

you from the first. You are Miss Red
mond, and | followed you here from
the house where your servant gave me
the directions. / am Miss Reynier,
Melanie Reynler. and | am staying at
the Hillside. Mr.. Van Camp" and to
her own great surprise, Melanie
blushed crimson at this point-"thnt
is, we, my aunt and |, were Mr.. Van
Camps guests on board the Sea Gull.
When he heard OF the wreck of the
Jeanne D'Aro We put in to Charles
port; though he has probably ex-
planned all this to you. Il was such
relief and pleasure to Mr.. Van Camp
TO find his cousin, III as he was; for
he had feared the worst"
Agatha had not heard Miss Rey-
niers name before, but she knew
vaguely that Mr. Van Camp had been
with yachting party when he arrived
at Charlesport. Now that she was
face to face with Miss Reynier, keen
liking and interest a quick confidence.
rose IN her heart for her.
Then perhaps you know Mr. Ham
bleton," said Agatha impulsively.
THE fever turned last night. Were
you told that he is better?"
"'No, don't know him" said Me-
lanie, shaking her head. "Neverthe-
less, / am heartily glad to hear that
he is better. Much better, they said
at the house"
They had been st8nding at the place
where Agatha had first discovered her
visitor. but now they turned back into
the clearing.
Come and try the organ pipes
again" she begged. They walked
about the wood singing first one
strain and then another, testing the
curiously beautiful properties of the
footing Of friendliness. It was evident
that each was capable Of laying aside
formality, when she wished to do so,
pine dome. They were quickly on
and each was, at heart, frank and sin
cere, Melanie's talent for song was
rot small yet she recognized In
Agatha a superior gift while to Aga
tha. Melanie Reynier seemed increas.
ingly mature, polished, full Of charm.
They left the wood and wandered
back through the pasture and over the
stile, each learning many things in re-
gard to the other. They spoke Of the
place and it's beauty, and Agatha told
Melanie OF the childhood memories
which, for the first time, she had re-
yiyed in their living background.
How our thoughts change she
said at last. "As a child | never felt
this farm to be lonely; It was the
most populous and entertaining place
in all the world. l much preferred
the wood to anything in the city
love it now, too; but It seems the
essence OF solitude to me"
"That is because you have been
where the passions and restlessness
of men have centered. One is never
the same after that"
strangely enough, the place now
belongs to me, went on Agatha Par
son Thayer, the former owner and
resident, was my mothers guardian
and friend, and left the place 10 me
for her sake"
"Ah, that Is well!' cried Melanie.
1T will be your castle Of retreat,
your Sans-Souci, for all your life.
envy YOU! It is charming. Pastor
Parson, do you say?-Parson Thayer
was a man Of judgment"
"Yes, and a man Of strange and
dominating personality in his way.
Everything about the house speaks Of
him and his tastes. Even Danny here
follows me, really believe, because
am beginning to appreciate his for
mer master"
Agatha stopped and patted the dogs
head. Youth and health, helped by
the sympathy of a friend, were work
ing wonders in Agatha She beamed
with happiness.
Come into the house." she begged
Melanie and look at some of his
books with me. But first Wen find
Sauie and get luncheon, and perhaps
Mr.. Van Camp will appear by that
time Poor man, he was quite worn
out. Then you shall see Parson Thay- |
ers books and flowers, If you win"
They strolled over the velvet lawn |
toward the front of the house, where |
the door and the long windows stood |
open. Down by the road, and close |
to the lilac bushes that flanked the |
gateway, stood a large silver-white
tomobile-evidently Miss Reynier's
conveyance. The driver of the ma
chine had disaDDeared
q mustn't trespass on your kindness
for luncheon today, thank you" Me-
lanie was saying; but I'll come again
soon, if l may" Meantime she was
slowly down the walk But
Agatha would not have it SO. She
chung to this woman friend with an
eagerness, begging her to
stay.
I'VE are quite alone, and We have
been so miserable over Mr. Hamble
tons Illness" she pleaded quite IL
logically. do stay and cheer US up!"
And so Melanie was persuaded; cas-
ly, too, except for her compunctions
about abusing the hospitality of
whose first care must neces-
3arily be for the sick.
Il want to stay" she said frankly.
The house breathes the very air of
itself; and l haven't seen
he garden at ALI" She walked back
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