The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1913-03-21

We'll, take II from me. the sooner
you get rid Of him the better. Chances
are he's a man OF no principle. and
he'll do you"
Agatha was silent Meantime Mr..
Straker got his second wind.
"Of course he knows what he's
about when II comes 10 a machine. 4"
the manager continued but mark me.
he knows too much for an honest man
Looks to me as II there wasn't any.
thing on this green earth he can't
do"
Green ocean. toO-he's quite as
much at home there" laughed aga.
tina
"Humph!" Mr.. straker grunted IN
disgust. Let me ASSURE you. Miss
Redmond. that it's no joking matter"
Tradition to the contrary. Agatha
was content TO let the man have the
last word. Mr.. Straker turned to
some business matters, wrote out tele.
graphic material enough 10 occupy
the leisurely Charlesport operator for
some hours, and then disappeared.
Agatha was impressed by the man
ayers words somewhat more than her
manner implied She had no swift
and sure judgment OF people. and her
experience of the world. short as II
was, had taught her that recklessness
is a costly luxury. She was meditat'
ing as TO the wisest course to pursue,
when the ex-chauffeur appeared.
Hand wore his accustomed loose
shirt and trousers without coat or
waistcoat, and IL seemed as if he had
never known a hat His thick hair
was tumbled back from the forehead.
His hands we're now spotless and his
whole appearance agreeably clean and
wholesome. He even looked as II he
we're going TO be frank, but Agatha
knew that must be a delusion. II was
impossible, however, not to be some
what caioled-he was so eminenuy
likable. Agatha took a lesson from
his own book, and waited in silence
for him to speak.
"Mademoiselle? His voice had an
Gndertone of excitement or nervous
ness that was wholly new.
We'll, Mr.. Hand?"
lie remained standing by the door
for a moment, then stepped forward
with the abrupt manner of a stripping
who, usually inarticulate, has sudden
ly found tongue.
why did you do it, Mademoiselle?'
do what, my friend"
Back me up before the sheriff
Give me a slick walkout like that"
Agatha laughed good-humoredly.
why should / answer your ques-
tions, Mr.. Hand. when you so persist
emily ignore mine?"
Hand made a gesture Of impatience.
"Mademoiselle. you may think me
all kinds Of a scamp, but I'm not idiot
enough to hide behind woman. Don't
you know me well enough to know
that?" he demanded so earnestly that
he seemed very cross.
Agatha looked into his face with
new curiosity. He was very young,
after all. Something in the way of
had been grinding philoso-
ply, Of a sort, into hin-or out OF .
him. Wealth and position had been /
his natural enemies, and he had some /
how been led to an attitude OF antag I
lnism that was, at bottom quite for
5ign to his nature.
So much Agatha could guess at, and .
'or the rest, instinct taught her TO be
kind. But she was not willing now to
AXE him so seriously as he seemed to
De taking himself. She couldn't TO
iist teasing him a bit, by saying
Mr.. Hand, you did hide
behind me; you had to-"
He did not reply to her bantering
mile, but, in the pause that followed.
topped to the bookcase where shy
lad been standing, gingerly picked u
soft bit Of linen and lace from this
loor ana dropped it into her lap. Thea
.e faced her in an attitude Of pugna'
ious irritation. For a brief moment
lis silence fell from him.
81 didn't have to-" he contradicted
I let it go because ! thought yoH
we're a good sport and you wouldn't
GICh me UdthluE OOL VI sOuA SdHIOf
ot by good deal! But there's Z
armed sight-pardon me, Mademoi-
elle!-theres too much company
ound here to suit me! You know me,
ou know you can trust me, Mademof
ellie! But what about Tom, Dick and
larry all over this place--casting
yes at a man."
Agatha, almost against her will,
as forced to meet his seriousness
alf-way. 81 don't know what you
lean," she said.
Tell. emf" he burst out. Tell en-
lie whole story. Tell that blamed
loopin' manager that I'm crook
nd a kidnaper, and then he'll stop
osing round after me. I'll have an
ours start, and that's all want
ogging man-running him Gown
1der his own automobile!" Hand
ermitted himself dry smile at his :
vn joke, but Immediately added 1T
res against the grain, Mademoi- {
lle!"
Agatha's face frightened, as she
'asped the clue to Hands wrath. p
We no doubt" she answered grave a
She knew the manager. But why
ould tell him, as you suggest?"