River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-05-08

theory that Chatelard had made
straight for New York.
Not a bit of it. sAleck and l let
you all believe that, for the sake of
the ladies. But the evidence is all the
other way. We would surely have
caught him if he had been on any of
the New York trains. l believe he's
about here and means mischief yet"
IF he's about here, there's no doubt
about the mischief"
I'm going down tonight to bunk on
the Sea Gull. Aleck let the men off,
to go to a sailors dance over on one
of the islands. They'll probably be at
it all night. so I'm going back"
Why not let me go? I'm fine as a
fiddle. You've had your full share of
nasty detective work"
Not at all. I'm booked to see this
thing through
"All right" laughed Jimsy. But If
you change your mind, let me know"
Arriving at the house, the men found
1t deserted Windows were open and
doors Unattached, but nc one, not even
| Danny, responded to Jims call. Cham
berlain started for the Hillside in the
car, and Jim wandered about lone
somely, wondering where everybody
was. With jim, as in most cases,
everybody meant one person; and
presently Sallie, appearing slowly
from the upper regions, gave him his
/ TlII fr,.
| wood.
The wagon road stretched alluring-
ly into the sun-fecked shade of the
grove. A hush like that of primeval
day threw it's uncanny influence over
the world. Jim felt something Juggling
| quieting. He began to whistle just
for company. and in moment, as if
at signal call, Danny came along the
path, sedately trotting to meet him.
"Hullo, old pardner! So this is
where you are"
Danny said yes, and led Jim into
the clearing and up to a pine stump,
where everybody sat, quite alone, chin
propDed on hand. No singing, no book,
and-or did Jimmy imagine it?-a
spirit decidedly quenched. Her eye
lids were red and her face was pale.
so. dear lady, l have found you.
But | was listening for the song"
There is no song today" Agatha's
manner resembled an Arctic breeze.
May one ask why?"
"One can not always be singing"
mo? Why not? 1 could-if l
could"
Agatha was obliged to relax a trife
at Jimmy's foolishness, but only to
reveal, more and more distinctly,
Indebtedness of spirit that was quite
battling. 1t was not feminine wretch
edness waiting for a masculine COM
forter, either, as James observed with
regret: It was stoical spirit, braced
TO meet a blow-or to deal one
Jimmy was not used to being
snubbed. and instinctively prepared
for vigorous protest. He began with
q little preliminary diplomacy
You haven't inquired what I'm go
ing to do with the remainder of my
holiday" he remarked
Il supposed you would return soon
to Lynn. Shall we walk back to the
house?"
The unkind words were spoken in a
rare-sweet voice, courteously enough.
Jim looked at the speaker a moment,
then emphatically said mol"
ut is quite time / was returning"
.Have you anything there to do
that is more important than listening
to me for fifteen minutes"
Agatha did not pretend not to I'm.
derstand him. She turned toward him
with unfinching eyes.
Truth to say, yes, Mr.. Hambleton,
] have. | don't wish to listen to-
anything"
"Oh-if you feel like that! Your
Mr.. Hambleton' is enough to strike
me dumb.
Believe me, it is the best way"
Again, may one ask why?"
"You are going back to your own
people, to your own work. And l to
mine"
But that's the very point My idea
was TOTO combine them"
Il guessed it,"
Jimmy smiled his ingenious smile
as he suavely asked: "And don't you
-er-like the idea?"
Agatha turned her wretched white
face toward him. Into 1t there had
come grim determination that left
Jimmy quite out in the cold
Il have no choice in liking or dis
liking it, she said quite evenly But
there are plenty Of reasons why I
can't think of it. And you shouldn't
think Of it any more. l assure you,
you are making a mistake
She got up as If ready to walk
away, her face averted.
"Agatha!"
At the name she turned to Jim. as
much as to say she would be quite
reasonable If he would be- But her
face suddenly flushed gloriously.
Agatha, dear, hear me. l did not
intend to tell you all my secret to-
ground, so to speak But l can't let
you leave me this way"
you will have to. am going back
to the house,
Up to this point, James had merely
teen playing tag, as 1t were. The
game wasn't really on. A little Skin
mish;ng on either side was in order.
Eat sgatha's last words were the call
tt action. They reused the ghost of