River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-05-01
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MARTHA DEIzzINGERs


face, with it's laughing, true eyes.
Jimmy" she said-he had begged her
to call him that-"it seems as if |,
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 if it
hadn't been for you, / shouldn't be
here, or anywhere. | often think OF
that"
You see!" he cried. Il had to have
you, even if l 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, 1T is not that.
l owe"
Jim put his fingers on her lips.
tut, 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"
James Agatha could not help
preaching bit, Just because we hap
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, if some other
people are. ] don't see why | 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! l 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 man who is just out of a de-
lirium make love to me-"
but I'm not just out. 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
tha."
Mono, | 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 see 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 few
minutes. Mr.. Hand" directed Agatha
Presently the manager was being in,
troduced in the properest manner 90
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 e.z4 the arrival at
Ilion.
"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 Il 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 the water for?"
Il had just dropped off a tug"
What for?"
Because l wanted the yacht to pick
me up"
At this point Mr.. Straker directed
a commiserating look at Agatha. 1t
said Crazy" as plain as words.
What were you on the tug for?"
Il had followed the yacht"
What for?"
The pause before James next an
swer was apparent. When it came,
there came with it that same seven
year-old look of smiling ingenious
ness. Il just wanted to see what they
were going to do with Miss Redmond"
"Jimminy Christmas" exploded Mr..
Straker. ANY more kinks in this
story? How'd you know they'd
stolen Miss Redmond?" 90
And so Jimmy had to tell it all,
with the abominable Straker growing
more and more excited every minute,
and Agatha standing mute and awe