The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1913-08-02
AGATHA held Mrs.. Stoddard-s banda

| Agatha held Mrs. Stoddards hands
closely. "Ah, you have been good to
u.s."
| 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?"
Il don't know; probably not for
long. But l almost wish | could
I've learned a sight by you, Aga
tina. l want you to know that" said
Susan, struggling with her reticencs
and her impulse toward confession.
"Oh. don't say that to me. Mira
Stoddard. | can only remember how
good you've been to US all"
But Susan would not be denied. Il
thought you were proud and vain and
and worldly. Agatha. And treat
ed you harsh, | 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. II wouldn't let that new
city man in to see Mr.. Hambleton just
yet, II | were you"
rs Mr.. Straker trying to get in to
see Mr. Hambleton?"
Knocked at the door twice this
morning. and | told him he couldn't
come In. Why not?' said he. Danger
Of fever. said |. Then Mr.. HANDLE
ton asked me who was there, and
said. I don't exactly know. but it's
either Miss Redmond's maids beau
or a 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 on,
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 ove- his smallpox
scare, but Mr.. Hambleton don't want
to see him, not yet He wants to see
you"
I'm going in to see him soon, any
way" said Agatha.
going in for her morning visit with
James. 1t meant so much to her! Il
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 eaca day she had seen new
lights in Jimmys eyes. In vain had
| oh r<,fS co.
treating him as an invalid whose
vagaries should be INDUCED even
though they were of no importance.
He would not accept her on those
terms. Back of his weakness had
been a strength, more and more per-
ceptible each day, touching her with
the sweetest fiattery woman ever re-
ceives. 1t was the strength Of
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. He
came up like a rubber ball; and now,
on fine September morning, he was
getting shaved and clothed in one of
Alexis suits. Finally he was propped
up In an easy chair by a window over
looking the towering elm tree and the
white church.
"E-Andy-couldn't you get me
some kind of a tie? This soft shirt
business doesn't look very At, does
it. without a tie" coaxed Jim.
IF you ask me, I say you look fine"
"Where'd you get all your good
clothes, I'd like to know" inquired
Jim sternly, looking at Hands i'm
maculate linen.
Miss Sallie washes EN- after l 90
to bed in the morning." confessed
Hand.
"Oh, she does, does she!" jeered
Jimmy We'll. you'll have to go to
bed at night, like other folks, now.
And then what'n you do?"
Il guess Miss Sallie'll have to sit
up nights" modestly suggested Hand.
when slipper struck him in the back.
Good shot! What d'you want now
an opera hat?" he inquired derisively.
'Andy!" calculated Jim. dismay set.
Ting on his features. I've just
thought! Do you s'pose I'm paying
hotel bills all this time at The
Larue?"
Hand grinned unsympathetically
'If you engaged room, sir. and didn't
give it up, I believe it's the custom"
"That'n do for now, Handy Andy, II
you can't get up any better answer
than that. Lord, what's that" Jim
suddenly exclaimed, as II he hadn't
been waiting, all ears, for that very
step in the passage.
81 guess likely that'n be Miss Red
mond," replied the respectful Hand.
And so 1t was.
Agatha, fresh az the morning, stood
in the doorway for a contemplative
| moment hefore coming forward IN