The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1913-03-12
The
Stolen
Singer
By Martha BelIinger
oopIrIshs. I'M. Nc Bobbs. MerrIll Companyl

any more, and L guess LII De going
along home"
Il don't know but what the rest OF
us need you" complained Sallie. Its
more Of a Sunday school picnic here
than you'd think, what with a New
York press agent and princess, TO
say nothing of that Mr.. Hand"
"He certainly knows how to manage
q sick man." said Susan.
Mrs. Stoddard made her way to Aga
tina in the cool chamber at the head of
the stairs. Agatha, in dressing
sack, with her hair down, called her
In and sent Lizzie away.
you're not going, are you, Mrs.
Stoddard?" She took Susan's two
hands and held them lovingly against
her cheek. ut won't seem right here,
without you"
You've done your duty, Agatha, and
I've done mine, as I saw it. I'm not
needed here any more, but I'll send
Angie over to help Sallie with the
work. after l get the crab-apples
picked"
Agatha held Mrs. Stoddari's hands
closely. "Ah, you have been good to
us!''
There is none good but one
quoted Mrs. Stoddard; nevertheless
her eyes were moist with feeling.
You'll stay on in the old red house?'
II don't know; probably not for
long. But l almost wish / could"
i've learned a sight by you, Aga
tina. 1 want you to know that" said
Susan, struggling with her reticence
and her impulse toward confession.
ooh, don't say that to me, Mrs.
Stoddard. I can only remember how
good you've been to us ALL"
But Susan would not be denied. 81
thought you were proud and vain and
and worldly, Agatha And ] treat
ed you harsh, l know"
mo, no. Whatever you thought, it's
all past now, and you are my friend.
You'll help me to take care of this
dear old place-yes?'
"The Lord will establish the work
of your hands, my child" She sud
denly turned with one of her prac-
tical ideas. 81 wouldn't let that new
yet, If | were you"
rs Mr.. Straker trying to get in to
see Mr.. Hambleton?"
knocked at the door twice this
morning, and l told him he couldn't
come in. Why not?' said he. Danger
of fever said l. Then Mr.. Handle
ton asked me who was there, and /
said, 4 don't exactly know, but it's
either Miss Redmond's maids beau
or q press agent and then Mr.. Ham
bleton called out, as quick and strong
as anybody, GO way! / think I've
got smallpox And he went off,
quicker'n a wink, and hasn't been
back since" Mrs. Stoddard's grim old
face wrinkled in a humorous smile.
Il guess he'll get over his smallpox
scare, but Mr.. Hambleton don't want
to see him, not yet. He wants to see
you"
'Pm going in to see him soon, any
way" said Agatha.
But still she waited little before
going in for her morning visit with
James. 1t meant SO much to her! 1t
wasn't to be taken lightly and casu-
ally. but with little pomp and cere-
mony. Each day since the night of
the crisis she had paid her morning
call, and each day she had seen new
lights in Jimmy's eyes. In vain had
she been matter-of-fact and practical,
treating him as an invalid whose
vagaries should be INDUCED even
though they were of no Importance.
terms. Back of his weakness had
been a strength, more and more per-
ceptible each day touching her with
the sweetest tlattery woman ever re-
ceives. 1t was the strength OF a
lovers spirit, looking out at her from
his eyes and speaking to her in every
infection of his voice. Moreover, while
he stoutly and continuously denied
his feversickness he took no trouble
TO conceal this other malady. AS soon
as he could speak distinctly he pro-
claimed his spiritual madness. though
nobody but Agatha, and possibly Mrs
Stoddard, quite understood.
I'm not sick; don't be an idiot.
Hand. And give me a shave. for
Heavens sake. Anybody can get
knocked on the head-that's all the
matter with me. Give me some
clothes and you'll see." Even Hand
had to give in quickly. Jimmy's
residence passed all expectations. lie
came up like a rubber ball; and now,
on a fine September morning, he was
getting shaved and clothed in one OF
Alexis suits. Finally he was propped
up in an easy chair by window over
looking the towering elm tree and the
white church.
''Er-Andy-couldn't you get me
some kind of a tie? This soft shirt
business doesn't look very fit, does
il. without a tie?" coaxed Jim.
eff YOU ask me, 1 say you look fine"