Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1913-06-27

A9&ANAA III 2A4 kMAa ~
OF that other night on the water. fur
OF heartbroahng struggle e. II was,
a. q happy night compared to the one
which was yet to come. She realized
their foolish talk while they we're on
the beach, and smiled sadly over It.
Her courage was at the ebb. She felt
That the buoyaney Of spirit that had
sustained them both during the night
OF struggle could never revisit the
wasted and disorganiEed body lying In
Parson Thayers house-her house. A
certain practical sense that was
strong in her rose and questioned
whether she had done everything that
could be done for his welfare. She
thought 80. Had she not even prayed,
with all her concentration Of mind
and will? She heard again Susan
Stoddard's deep voice: mo striving
toward God is ever lost!" In spite OF
her unfatth, a sense of rest in a pow
er larger than herself came upon her
unawares. Danny, who had wandered
away. came back and sat down heavt
ly on the edge OF her skirt. close to
her. Good Danny!" she praised. pet
ting him to his hearts content.
1t was thus that Aleck Van Camp
found them. as he came over the sdle
from the house, His tones were slow.
er and more precise than ever, but hin
face was drawn and marked with anx.
iety. He had a careful thought for
Agatha, even In the face OF his great,
er trouble.
You have chosen a bad hour to
wander about, Miss Redmond. The
evening dews are heavy"
Yes, l know; Danny and l were
Just going home. Have you been into
the house?"
Yes, l left Doctor Thayer there In
consultation with the other physician
that came today. They sent me of
Old Jim-well. you know Al well ~
l do. With your permission, I'm go
Ing to stay the night. I'll bunk in the
hall. or anywhere. Don't think Of q
bed for me; I don't want one."
I'm glad you'll stay. It seems
somehow. as II every one helps: thai
is, every n who cares for him"
Doctor Thayer thinks there win be
a change tonight. though 1t Is difficult
to tell. Jim's family have my teie
gram by this time, and they will gel
my letter tomorrow, probably. Any.
way. l shall wait until morning before
I send another message"
The tension of their thoughts was
too sharp; they turned for relief "a
the scene before them, stopping a,
the stile to look back at the steepled
white church, standing under it,
spreading balm-of-Gilead tree.
1T seems strange" said Agatha
ito think that l sat out there under
that big tree as a little girl. Every
thing is 30 different now"
"Ilion, then, was once your homer
mo. never my home, though It wal
once my mothers home. l used tc
visit here occasionally. years and
years ago."
Aleck produced his Quizzical grin
"A gallant person would protest thai
that Is incredible"
II wasn't angling for gallantry,'
Agatha replied YEARLY. II am TWEEN
ty-six. and I haven't been here Ger
tainly since I val eight years old
Eighteen years are a good many"
ITO youth. yes" acquiesced Aleck.
Which reminds me, by contrast, OF
the hermit; he was so incredibly old.
1t was he who unwittingly put me on
Jim's trail. He said that the owner or
proprietor Of the Jeanne D'Arc was
dropped ashore on his island"
Monsieur Chatelard?" cried Agatha.
II don't know his name"
IT It was Monsieur Chatelard,'
Agatha paused. looking earnestly at
Aleck, If It was he, 1t 10 the man who
tricked mi into his motor-car In New
York, drugged me and carried me
aboard his yacht while I was uncon-
sctous."
Aleck turned a sharp, though not
unsympathetic. gaze upon Agatha. Il
have told no n but Doctor Thayer.
and he did not believe me. But II is
quite true; the wreck saved me, prob
ably, from something worse, though
don't know what"
II there had been skepticism on
Alexis face for an instant It had dis
appeared. Instead, there was deep
concern, as he considered the case.
Had you yer seer the mar Chate-
lard before?"
Never to my knowledge"
did he visit you on board the
yacht?"
"Only once. was put into the
charge of an old lady, a Frenchwoman,
Madame Sole; evidently a trusted
chaperon, or nurse, or something like
that. When l came to myself In q
@daIgSE