The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1913-08-22

to the house"
Up to this point, James had merely
been playing tag, as 1t were. The
game wasn't really on. A little Skin
mishing on either side was in order.
But Agatha's last words were the call
to action. They reused the ghost OF
some old Hambleton ancestor who
meant not to be beaten. Jim squared
himself in the middle of the path,
touched Agatha's shoulder with the
lightest, most respectful finger. and
| requested: But | would ask you, as
special favor, to stay few min
l'utes longer"
Jim's tone left Agatha no choice
She sat down again on the pine stump
but she could not meet Jimmy's eyes
He stood a few feet away from her
When he spoke, his voice was firm
and steady, ringing with earnestness
There was no doubt now but that he
was in the game for all he was worth
down like this Wait until you know
me better, and know yourself better.
You've had no time to think this mat
ter over, and it involves good deal,
admit. But we have lived through
good deal together In these few
| weeks. I'm here; Tn here to stay.
You can't say now, dear, that you
| care nothing for me-can you?"
What is the use Of all this, ask!
You will always be my friend. my res.
cuer, to whom | am eternally CRATE
full"
Jimmy emitted sound halfway be-
tween "Shucks" and Damn" and
swung impatiently clean round on his
heels.
Grateful be hanged! don't want
anybody to be grateful. | want you to
love me-to marry me. Why, Agatha,
he argued boyishly, his hopes rising
as he saw her face soften little
you're mine, for plucked you out OF
the sea. had to have you. guess
knew it that Sunday, only it was way
| off, somewhere in the back OF my
brain. You're a dream I've always
loved, Just as this old house Is. You're
the woman | could have prayed for
I'll do, I'll be, anything you wish; Ill
change myself over, but oh, don't say
you won't have me- Agatha, Agatha,
you don't know how much you mean
to met"
Before his speech was finished,
James, according to the good old fash
ion, was down on his knees before his
lady, and had imprisoned one OF her
hands. Stole she was, not to yield!
Her eyes had a suspicious moistness,
as she shook her head.
you will always be the most gal
liant, unselfish friend l have ever
known. But"
"But-what"
Marry you can not"
"Why not?"
Il can not marry anybody"
Then Jlmsy said disgraceful
thing "You kissed me once. VIII you
do it again?"
At this ir1pudence, she neither got
angry nor changed her mind-a bad
sign for Jimmy She put his hand
away, saying: "You must forgive me
the kiss"
Jimmy jumped to his feet with an
other inarticulate sound, every whit
as bad as an oath, and stood before
her.
Agatha Redmond, will you marry
me"
mo"
Jim turned In his tracks and left
the wood
Two hours later. at supper. Jim was
inquired for.
Our last supper together, and Mr..
Hambleton not herei" mourned Cham.
berlain.
Agatha felt guilty, but could scarce
Iy confess it. "You are all invited for
next year, you know" she said.
And we're all coming announced
Melanie. But poor Mr.. Hambleton
will miss his supper tonight"
The poor Mr.. Hambleton" struck
Agatha. 81 think Mr. Hambleton ia
doing very well indeed. saw him
start off for a walk this afternoon"
"Jim's chump. Give him a cold
| potato" jeered Aleck.
But after supper was over. and the
twilight deepened into darkness
Agatha sought Aleck where she could
speak with him alone.
I-I think Mr.. Hambfeton was
troubled when he left here this after
noon" she said. Can you think
| where he would be likely to 60! He
! is not strong enough to bear much
hard exercise yet"
Aleck looked at her keenly.
| "If he went anywhere, think he'd
| go straight to the yacht"
~ feel little anxious, someway,
confessed Agatha.
Chamberlain's voice broke in upor
them. Anybody ready to take mt
down to the Sea Gull In the carr"
1