The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1913-08-15

ina.
"HumRh!" Mr.. straker grunted In
disgust Let me assure you, Miss
Redmond, that it's no joking matter"
Tradition to the contrary, Agatha
was content to let the man have the
last word. Mr.. Straker turned to
some business matters, wrote out tele-
graphic material enough to occupy
the leisurely Charlesport operator for
some hours, and then disappeared.
Agatha was impressed by the man
ayers words somewhat more than her
manner implied. She had no swift
ard sure judgment OF people. and her
experience OF. the world, short az 1t
was, had taught her that recklessness
is costly luxury. She was meditat-
ing as TO the wisest course to pursue,
when the ex-chautfeur appeared.
Hand wore his accustomed loose
shirt and trousers without coat or
waistcoat, and it seemed as il he had
never known a hat His thick hair
was tumbled back from the forehead.
His hands were now spotless. and his
whole appearance agreeably clean and
wholesome. He even looked as II he
we're going to be frank. but Agatha
knew that must be a delusion. 1t was
impossible, however, not to be some
what cajoled-he was so eminently
likable. Agatha took lesson from
his own book, and waited in silence
for him to speak
"Mademoiselle? His voice had an
undertone OF excitement or nervous
ness that was wholly new.
Well, Mr. Hand?"
He remained standing by the door
for a moment. then stepped forward
with the abrupt manner Of stripping
who, usually inarticulate, has sudden
ly found tongue.
why did you do it, Mademoiselle?"
DO what, my friend?"
Back me up before the sheriff
Give me a slick walkout like that"
Agatha laughed good-humoredly.
why should answer your ques-
tons, Mr.. Hand, when you so persist
emily ignore mine?"
Hand made gesture of impatience.
"Mademoiselle, you may think me
all kinds of a scamp, but I'm not idiot
enough to hide behind woman. Don't
you know me we'll enough to know
| that?" he demanded so earnestly that
he seemed very cross.
Agatha looked into his face with a
new curiosity. He was very young,
after all. Something in the way of
experience had been grinding philoso.
ply, of a sort, into him-or out OF
him. Wealth and position had been
his natural enemies, and he had some
how been led to an attitude Of antag-
onism that was, at bottom. quite for.
eign to his nature.
So much Agatha could guess at, and
for the rest, instinct taught her to be
kind. But she was not willing now to
take him so seriously as he seemed to
be taking himself. She couldn't re-
sist teasing him a bit, by saying:
Nevertheless, Mr.. Hand. you did hide
behind me; you had to-"
He did not reply to her bantering
smile. but, in the pause that followed.
stepped to the bookcase where she
had been standing, gingerly picked up
a soft bit of linen and lace from the
floor and dropped it into her lap Then
he faced her in an attitude OF pugna.
cious irritation. For brief moment
his silence fell from him.
81 didn't have to-" he contradicted.
81 let 1t go because | thought you
we're a good sport, and you wouldn't
catch me backing out of your game,
not by a good deal! But there's a
darned sight-pardon me, Mademoi'
selle!-there's too much company
round here to suit me! You know me,
YOU know you can trust me, Mademoi.
selle! But what about Tom, Dick and
Harry all over this place--casting
eyes at man!'
Agatha, almost against her Will.
was forced to meet his seriousness
halfway. II don't know what you
mean" she said
Tell 'em!" he burst out. Tell 'em
the whole story. Tell that blamed
snoopfn' manager that I'm crook
and a kidnaper, and then he'll stop
nosing round after me. I'll have an
hours start, and that's all ! want.
DIGGING a man-running him down
under his own automobile!" Hand
permitted himself dry smile at his
own Joke, but Immediately added: 1T
goes against the grain. Mademoi.
selle!"
Agatha's face frightened, as she
grasped the clue to Hands wrath.
1--WE no doubt" she answered grave.
ly. She knew the manager. "But why
should tell him, as you suggest?"
(TO BE CoNTINUED.)