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

neio' VI anywhere. often think OF
that"
You see!" he cried. "I had to have
you. even II I followed you halfway
round the globe; even if had to jump
into the sea- Kismet-you can't es-
cape me!",
But Agatha was only half smiling.
NO" she protested, "it is not that.
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, lust 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 l should
be cheated out of q perfectly good
climax, If you put 1t 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 we'll I'll lis
ten to you then. But I'm not going
to let a 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, l 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 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 / should know all the
details"
So Jimmy, aided now and then by
Agatha, delivered Straker-ized YER
sion of the wreck and the arrival at
llion.
"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. 81 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 we're you In the water for?'
81 had Just dropped of a tug"
What for?"
Because wanted the yacht to pick
me up"
At this point Mr.. Straker directed
a commiserating look at Agatha IL
said Crazy" as plain as words.
What were you on the tug forT
81 had followed the yacht.
What for?"
The pause before James next an
swer was apparent. When 1t came,
there came with It that same seven
year-old look Of smiling ingenious
ness II just wanted to see what they
were going to do with Miss Redmond"
"Jtmminy 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. 1t was plain
that Jimmy, for the moment, had the
unner hand, "And that's about ALL
he laughed.
what on earth. man. Is the matter
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 kill me this trip. / tell you.