Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1913-08-07

AZ ENAan6GA Aaae4C4 eCANAgs A~4N1
you guessed who am. then? No?
Well. you see'I had the advantage OF
you from the hS=t You are Miss Red
uond and / followed you here from
the house where your servant gave me
the directions. / am Miss Reynier,
Melanie Reynier, and I am staying at
the Hillside. Mr.. Van Camp" and to
her own great surprise, Melanie
blushed crimson at this point-'that
is, we, my aunt and l, we're Mr.. Van
Camps guests on board the Sea Gull.
When he heard of the wreck Of the
Jeanne DArc We put In to Charles
port; though he has probably ex-
planned all this to you. It was such a
relief and pleasure to Mr.. Van Camp
to find his cousin, i'll as he was; for
he had feared the worst"
Agatha had not heard Miss Rey-
nier's name before, but she knew
vaguely that Mr.. Van Camp had been
with a yachting party when he arrived
at Charlesport. Now that she was
face to face with Miss Reynier, a keen
liking and interest, a quick confidence,
rose in her heart for her.
Then perhaps you know Mr.. Ham
bleton," said Agatha impuisively.
"The fever turned last night. Were
you told that he is better?"
ono, l don't know him." said Me-
LAME, shaking her head. "Neverthe-
less. | am heartily glad to hear that
he is better. Much better, they said
at the house."
They had been standing at the place
where Agatha had first discovered her
visitor, but now they turned back into
the clearing.
Come and try the organ pipes
again." she begged. They walked
about the wood, singing first one
strain and then another, testing the
curiously beautiful properties Of the
footing of friendliness. 1t was evident
that each was capable of laying aside
formality, when she wished to do so,
pine dome. They were quickly on q
and each was, at heart, frank and sin
cere. Melanie's talent for song was
not small, yet she recognized In
Agatha a superior gift; while, to Aga
tina, Melanie Reynier seemed increas
ingly mature, polished, full of charm
They left the wood and wandered
back through the pasture and over the
stile, each learning many things in re
gard to the other. They spoke of the
place and its beauty, and Agatha told
Melanie Of the childhood memories
which, for the first time, she had re
vived In their living background.
How our thoughts change," she
said at last. "As a child, / never fell
this farm to be lonely; 1t was the
most populous and entertaining place
in all the world. l much preferred
the wood to anything in the city.
love 1t now, too; but it seems the
essence of solitude to me-"
"That is because you have beer
where the passions and restlessness
OF men have conferred. One Is never
the same after that"
Strangely enough, the place now
belongs to me-" went on Agatha. "Par
son Thayer, the former owner ant
resident, was my mothers guardian
and friend, and left the place to mi
for her sake"
"Ah, that is Welt" cried Melanie
"It will be your castle Of retreat
your Sans-Souci, for all your life.
envy you! 1t is charming. Pastor
Parson, do you say?-Parson Thayel
was a mar of judgment"
Yes, and a man Of strange anC
dominating personality, in his way
Everything about the house speaks o
him and his tastes. Even Danny herr
follows me, l really believe, because
am beginning to appreciate his for
mer master"
Agatha stopped and patted the dog
head. Youth and health, helped b!
the sympathy of a friend. were work
ing wonders In Agatha. She beame'
with happiness.
Come into the house." h begge
Melanie, and look at some Of hi
books with me. But first we'll fin
Sallie and get luncheon, and perhap
Mr.. Van Camp will appear by tina
time. Poor man, he vas quite wor,
out. Then you shall see Parson Thay
er's books and flowers, II you will"
They strolled over the velvet law
toward the front of the house, wher
the door and the long windows stoo
open. Down by the road, and clos
to the lilac bushes that fanked tn
gateway, stood a large silver-whit
automobile-evidently Miss Reynier'
conveyance. The driver Of the mi
chine had disappeared.
Il mustn't trespass on your kindnes
for luncheon today. thank you" Nj
LAME was saying; "but I'll come agai
soon, If / may" Meantime she wa
moving slowly down the walk. BIZ
Agatha would not have 1t 30. Sh
chung to this woman friend with a
unwonted eagerness, begging her I
stay.
we are quite alone, and we hay
been SO miserable over Mr.. Hambl
I toms Illness" she pleaded quite
logically. do stay and cheer us up!
| And so Melanie was persuaded; ca
, lily, too, except for her compunctior
about abusing the hospitality OF
! household whose first care must nece
sarily be for the sick.
Il want to stay" she said frankl
1.-THE house breathes the very air
restfulness itself; and / haven't see
} the garden at ALT She walked bac
Regular Stairs.
A lawyer was cross-examining .