Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1913-08-28
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BIZ MARTHA B[dddNGER
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~ MARTHA BLaddNGER
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face, with its laughing, true eyes.
Jimmy" she said-he had begged her
to call him that-"it seems as If l,
too, had known you a long time. More
than these little two weeks"
1T Is more; you said So" put in
Jim.
YES; a little more. And II 1t
hadn't been for you, / shouldn't be
here, or anywhere. l 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 mel"
But Agatha was only half smiling.
NO." she protested, lit is not that.
l owe"
Jim put his fingers on her lips.
ENTut, 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"
"Janes," 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. / don't see why I should
be cheated out of a perfectly good
climax, if you put it 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! I 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 is just out of a de-
lirium make love to me-"
But I'm not Just out. I 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"
Mono, l mustn't"
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."
"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
if he can e 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
it 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. "I was picked up by the
Jeanne Dare in New York harbor,'
} he replied slowly.
Mr.. Straker frowned, "How-pick
ed up?"
out Of the water
What were you in tho water forf'
II had just dropped off a tug"
What for?"
Because l wanted the yacht to picl
me up"
At this point Mr.. Straker directed
a commiserating look at Agatha. !
. said Crazy" as plain as words.
What we're you on the tug for?
81 had followed the yacht"
What foT?"
The pause before James next an
d swer was apparent. When 1t came
there came with it that same seven
year-old look Of smiling ingenious
t ness. ~ just wanted to see what the,
h were going to do with Miss Redmond.
e "JimIniny Christmas" exploded MI
Straker. ANY more kinks in thi
d story? How'd you know they
(! stolen Miss Redmond?"
a And so Jimmy had to tell 1t al
with the abominable Straker CROWN
n more and more excited every minute
and Agatha standing mute and ayr