Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1913-05-22

Yes; a little more. And IL it
hadn't been for you. l shouldn't be
here, or anywhere. | often think of
that"
You seet" he cried Il had to have
you. even If | followed you halfway
round the globe; even II had to jump
into the sea. Kismet-you can't es-
cape me-"
But Agatha was only half smiling
NO" she protested, lit is not that
owe"
Jim put his fingers Gu 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
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, if some other
people are. don't see why should
be cheated out of 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 Lynnl | promise to do any
thing, or everything, that you honest
ly want, after you get we'll III 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
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, | 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 2
All" 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 a few
! ,f1- H. n
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
1t happened to you, please. It's very
important that I 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 Jeanpa D'Arc?"
For the first time James heaitated.
Not even Agatha knew that part of
the story =; was picked up by the
Jeanne D'Ar@ in New York herbor,"
he replied slcrly.
Mr.. Straker Ffowned How pick
ed up?"
"Out of te+ water
What were you in the water for?"
nod 81 dron,0od
What fssT'
Because wanted the yacht to pick
me up"
At this point Mr. Straker directed
a commissrating look at Agatha It
said Crazy" as plain as words
What we're 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.y
"Jimminy Christmas exploded Mr..
Straker ANY more kinks in this
story? How'd you know they'd
stolen Miss Redmond?'
And so Jimmy had to tell 1t all,
with the abominable Straker growing
more and more excited every minute,
and Agatha standing mute and awe
struck, looking at him IT. was plain
that Jimmy, for the moment. had the
upper hand And that's about ALL"
he laughed
with your fumed Straker. Didn't
you know there were hundred
chances to one the yacht wouldn't
pick you up?'
Jimmy nodded. unabashed One
chance is good enough for me Moth,
ing can kin me this trip tell you.