The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1913-02-07

ment. in order to take up another
matter
Il was wondering she began again,
how you happened to escape from
the Jeanne Dare alone in a rowboat.
and what your connection with Mon
sieur Chatelard was. VIII you tell
me?"
A perfectly vacant look came into
Hands face. He might have been
deaf and dumb
AT last Agatha began again, II am
grateful, exceedingly grateful, Mr..
Hand, for all that you have done for
us since that catastrophe, but can't
have any mystery about people. That
is absurd Did you leave the Jeanne
D'Aro when the others did-when /
fell into the water?"
This time Hand consented to an
swer. mo, Mademoiselle; did not
know you had fallen into the water
until | brought you ashore in the
morning"
Then how did you get orr"
We'll, IL was rather queer. The
men were all tired out working at the
| pumps, and Monsieur Chatelard or
| dered seaman named Bazinet and
me to relieve two of them. He said
he would call us when the boats were
lowered, as the yacht was then get
ting pretty shaky. Bazinet and
worked a long time; and when finally
we got on deck, thinking the Jeanne
D'Arc was nearly done for, the boats
had put off. We heard some one
shouting, and Bazlnet got frightened
and jumped for the boat. He thought
they'd wait for him. Il was too dark
tor me to see whether he made 1t or
not l stayed on the yacht for some
time, not knowing anything better to
do" Hand allowed himself a faint
| smile "and at last, after hunt,
found that extra boat, slowed away
aft. 1t was very small, and it leaked;
probably thai was why they did not
think of using it. But it was better
than nothing. found some putty and
tin bucket, and got food and a lot
of other things, though the boat filled
so fast that ! had to throw most
everything out But / got ashore, as
you know. didn't even wait to see
the last OF the Jeanne Dare
Agatha's eyes shone. Hands story
was perfectly simple and plausible
But the other question was even more
important. She hesitated before re-
peating it, however. and rewarded
Hands unusual frankness with
grateful look.
THAT was night of experience for
us ALL" she said, with little sigh at
the memory of it.
But tell me-" Agatha looked up
squarely at Hand, only TO encounter
his deaf and dumb expression.
IF you will excuse me, Mademoi-
selle," said Hand deferentially, Il
think Mr.. Hambletons broth is burn
ing"
"Ah, well, very well!" said Agatha.
And in spite of herself she smiled.
Hand found Mrs. Stoddard installed
in James Hambletons room. Doctor
Thayer and Aleck had gone, both leav-
ing word that they would return be-
fore night. Mrs Stoddard had
smoothed James bed, folded down
the sheet with exactness, noted her
brothers directions for treatment, and |
sat reading her Bible by the window
MIR. Hand stood for a moment. silent |
ly regarding first the patient, then his
nurse
by the grace of God, he will pull
through, | firmly believed" calculated |
Mrs. Stoddard
As the first words came in that re.
sonant deep voice, Hand thought that
the nurse was swearing, though pres
emily he changed his mind
Eyes, ma'am," he replied with un-
wonted meekness. Then, "I'll sleep
an hour or two, # that is agreeable to
you, ma'am."
Perfectly" heartily responded
Mrs. Stoddard, and Mr.. Hand disaD
peared like the mist before the sun.
1t was to be an afternoon Of excite
ment, after all, though Agatha
thought that she would apply herself
to the Strengthening out OF much nee
essary business. But after an hours
work over letters at Parson Thayer's
desk, there occurred an ebullition be-
low which could be nothing less than
he arrival of Lizzie, Agatha's maid,
with sundry articles of luggage. She
was a small-minded but efficient city
girl, clever enough to keep her Job by
making herself useful. and sophisti-
lated to the point of indecency No
Woman ought ever to have known so
much as Lizzie knew. Agatha was to
lear how she had been relieved by
he telegram several days before, how
he had nearly killed herself packing
n such haste, how she thought she
vas travelling to the ends Of the earth.
oming thus to region she had never
card of before. !
Big Simon, who had been instructed
o watch for Lizzie and bring her and
er luggage out, presently arrived !,
nth the trunks, having sent the maid {
n ahead in the buggy with his son. :
Zig Simon positively declined to carry :
he two trunks to the second f9ol ,
aging he thought they'd like it just h
S WELL or better, if he left them in +
ne hall downstairs. Lizzie was \
ngrily hesitating whether to argue .
18th him or use the persuasion of a
ne of her mistress silver coins,
hen Agatha interfered, and saved
er from making the mistake of her
fe. 1t is doubtful if she could have
we'd in Ilion after having been guilty