Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1913-02-27

| Early IN the morning, hops" said
Agatha. swallowing her misgivings.
That's good" said James. Il think
I'll be about and good for something
myself by that time"
There was another long pause. so
long that Agatha thought James must
have gene 20 sleep again. He thought
likewise OF her, 1t appeared; for when
he next spoke 1t was in careful
whisper:
Are you still awake, Agatha Red
Inond?'
yes, indeed; quite Do you want
anything?"
yes, number of things First,
are you quite recovered from the
trcuble-that nights awful trouble?"
He seemed to be wholly lost as to
time did you come off without any
serious injury? Do you look like your
self, strong and rosy-cheeked again"
Agatha replied heartily to this, and
her answer appeared to satisfy James
for the moment Though" she
added here In the dark. who can
tell whether have rosy cheeks or
not?"
"True!' sighed James, but his sigh
was not an unhappy one. Presently
he began once more: Il want to
know, too, If YOU weren't surprised
that l knew your name?"
We'll. yes little, when had time
to think about it. How did you know
| it,"
James laughed. meant to keep
it secret. always; but guess TIL
tell, after adjust you. ! got 1t from
the program, tat Sunday. you know"
"Ah. yes. understand" She
didn't quite understand. at first; for
there had been other Sundays and
other songs. But she could not weary
him now with questions
| AS they lay there the slow, nionoto-
| nous susurrus of the sea made deep
| accompaniment to their words 1t
was near, and yet immeasurably far.
filling the universe with It's soft but
lnsistent sound and echoes OF sound.
At the back OF her mind. Agatha
heard It always. low. threatening. and
strong; but on the surface OF her
| thoughts. she was trying to decide
what she ought to do She was
thinking whether she might question
| her companion a little concerning
himself. when he answered her, in
part, of his own accord
you couldn't know who | am. of
course: James Hambleton, of Lynn.
Jim, Jimmy. Jimsy, Bud-Pm called
most anything. But wanted to tell
yoi-in fact. that's what walked UP
expressly for-I wanted to tell you"
lie paused SO long. that Agatha
leaned over trying to see his face.
The violence OF the chill had passed.
His eyes were wide open, his face
aiarmingly pale. She felt a sudden
qualm of pain, lest illness and ex-
haustion had wrought havoc In his
frame deeper than she knew. But as
she bent over him. his features light
ed up with his rare smile-an express
sion full OF happiness and peace. He
lifted hand, feebly. and she took
| 1t In both her own She felt that
thus, hand in hand. they were nearer:
that thus she could better be OF help
to him.
81 wanted to tell you." he began
glad I did it,"
did what, dear friend?" ques-
toned Agatha. thinking in her heart
that the fever had set his wits to
| wandering
"Glad l followed the Face and the
Voice." he answered feebly. Agatha
| watched him closely, torn with ankle
| ty. She couldn't bear to see him
suffer-this man who had SO suddenly
become friend. who had been SO
brave and unselflsh for her sake. who
had been SO cheerful throughout their
night OF trouble.
81 told old Aleck.' James went on.
that I'd have to jump the fence; but
that was ages ago. I've been har.
I'd gone to sleep. sure enough" Aga.
tina thought certainly that now he
was delirious, but she had no heart
to stop his gentle earnestness. He
went on: "But you woke me up
And wouldn't have missed this last
run. not for anything. Twas a great
night. that night on the water. with
you: and whatever happens. shall
always think that worth living for;
yes. well worth living for
James voice died away into inco-
herence and at last into silence.
Agatha. holding his hands In hers.
watched him as he sank away from
her into some realm whittier she
could not follow. Either his hour of
sanity and calmness had passed. and
fever had taken hold upon his sys.
tenn: or fatigue. mental and physical.
had overpowered him once more.
Presently she dropped his hand gen