Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1913-06-20

way Hand indicated, but after delib-
GRAFTON she dropped 1t for the mo
ment, in order to take up another
matter.
l was wondering" she began again.
how you happened to escape from
the Jeanne Dare alone in a rowboat,
and what your connection with Mon
sieT Chatelard WAS WIN you tell
meY"
A perfectly vacant look came into
Hands face. He might have been
deaf and dumb.
At last Agatha began again. 81 am
grateful, exceedingly grateful, Mr..
Hand, for all that you have done for
US since that catastrophe, but l can't
have any mystery about peopls. That
is absurd. Did you leave the Jeanne
Dare when the others did-when |
fell into the water"
This time Hand consented to an.
swer. NO, Mademoiselle; | did not
know you had fallen into the water
until brought you ashore in the
morning"
Then how did you get on"
Well, 1t was rather queer. The
men were all tired out working at the
pumps, and Monsieur Chatelard or,
dered a seSman named Bazinet and
me to relieve two Of them. He said
he would call us when the boats were
lowered, as the yacht was then get.
ting pretty shaky. Baxinet and l
worked a long time; and when finally
we got on deck, thinking the Jeanne
Dare was nearly done for, the boats
had put OF. We heard some one
shouting. and Bazinet got frightened
and jumped for the boat. He thought
they'd wait for him. It was too dark
for me to 9 whether he made It OF
not. stayed on the yacht for some
time. not knowing anything better to
do" Hand allowed himself q faint
smile and at last, after q hunt,
found that extra boat, slowed away
aft. 1t was very small. and It leaked;
probably thai was why they did moi
think Of using It. But It was better
than nothing. found some putty and
a tin bucket, and got food and q lot
OF other things, though the boat filled
so fast that I had to throw mos
everything out. But I got ashore, al
you know. I didn't even wait to see
the last Of the Jeanne D'Arc."
Agatha's eyes shone. Hands story
was perfectly simple and plausible
But the other question was even more
important. She hesitated before re
peating 1t, however, and rewarded
Hands unusual frankness with
grateful look.
THAT was a night Of experience To-
us ALL" she said. with a little sigh a
the memory Of 1t.
But tell me-" Agatha looked VI
squarely at Hand, only to encounte
his deaf and dumb expression.
IF you will excuse me, Mademoi
selle," said Hand deferentially, "
think Mr.. Hambleton's broth Is burn
ing"
"Ah, we'll, very well!" said Agatha
And in spite of herself she smiled.
Hand found Mrs. Stoddard installer
in James Hambleton's room. Docto
Thayer and Aleck had gone, both leav
ing word that they would return be
fore night. Mrs. Stoddard ha,
smoothed James bed, folded dowl
the sheet with exactness, noted heI
brothers. directions for treatment, ant
sat reading her Bible by the window
Mr.. Hand stood for a moment, silent
ly regarding first the patient, then hi
nurse.
by the grace of God, he will pull
through, firmly believed" CALCULATED
Mrs. Stoddard.
AS the first words came in that re
sonant deep voice, Hand thought tina,
the nurse was swearing. though pres
emily he changed his mind.
Eyes. man." he replied with un
wonted meekness. Then, "I1l sleeI
an hour or two. II that Is agreeable te
you. mann"
Perfectly" heartily responded
Mrs. Stoddard, and Mr.. Hand disap
peared like the mist before the sun.
1t was to be an afternoon of excite
ment, after all, though Agatha
thought hat she would apply herself
to the Strengthening out Of much nee
essary business. But after an hours
work yer letters at Parson Thayer':
desk, there occurred an ebullition be
low which could be nothing less thar
the arrival of Lizzie, Agatha's maid
with sundry articles Of luggage. She
was a small-minded but efficient city
girl, clever enough to keep her Job BY
making herself useful, and sophisti
Gated to the point Of indecency. Ne
woman ought ever to have known &c
much rs Lizzie knew. Agatha was tG
hear how she had been relieved BY
the telegram several days before, how
she had nearly killed herself packing
in such haste. how she thought she
was travelling to the ends Of the earth
coming thus to a region she had never
heard of before.
Big Simon. who had been instructed
to watch for Lizzie and bring her ant
her luggage out, presently arrived
with the trunks, having sent the mait
on ahead in the buggy with his son
Big Simon positively declined to carry
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