The Springfield herald., 1913-05-02
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hands-as If they weren't more than
q match for US when we're WE'LL"
Agatha's humorous smile rewarded
the doctors grim comments. II that
was what he wanted.
mo, DOCTOR" she said, with fleet
ing touch of her old lightness. were
never match for you. We may en-
tertain you or nurse you or feed you.
or possibly once in a century or two
inspire you; but we're never a match
for you"
For which Heaven be praised!"
calculated the doctor fervently.
Agatha watched him as he fumbled
nervously about the room or clasped
his bands behind him under his long
coattails. The greenish- black frock-
coat hung untidily upon him. and his
white fringe of hair was anything but
smooth. She perceived that some-
thing other than medical problems
troubled him.
Would your sister-would Mrs.
Stoddard-be willing to come here to
take care of Mr.. Hambleton?". she ven-
tured.
ASK me that" snapped the doctor.
when no man on earth could tell
whether she'll come or not She says
she won't. She's hurt and she's out
ragged; or at least she thinks she is.
But II you could get her to think that
It was her duty to take care of that
poor boy in there. she'd come fast
enough"
Agatha was puzzled. She felt as If
there were a dozen ways to turn and
only one way that would lead her
Alright: and she could not find the
clue to that one right way. At last
she attacked the doctor boldly.
Tell me, Doctor Thayer," she said
earnestly. "just what 1t is that causes
Mrs. stoddard to feel hurt and out
ragged. Is 1t simply because have
inherited the money and the house?
She can not possibly know anything
about me personally"
The old doctor thrust his under Jaw
out more belligerently than ever.
while turning his answer over In his
mind. He took two lengths Of the
room before stopping again by
Agatha's side and looking down on
her
"She says 1t isn't the money. but
that it's the slight Hercules put upon
her for leaving the place. our old
home. out of the family. That's one
thing: but that isn't the worst. Susan's
orthodox, you know. very orthodox:
and she has q prejudice against your
misunderstanding Satan. she calls
It. She thinks that's what actresses
and opera singers do. though how she
knows anything about 1t, don't see."
The grim smile shone In the doctors
eyes even while he looked. half
anI!ously, to zee how Agatha was tax
ing his explanation of Mrs. Stoddard's
attitude. Agatha meditated q mo-
ment.
"If it's merely a prejudice In the
abstract against my being an opera
singer, think she will overcome that
Besides. Mr. Hambleton is neither an
actor nor an opera singer: he isn't
serving Satan
well" the doctor hesitated. and
then went on hastily. with a great
show OF irritation, "Susan's a little
set In her views. She disapproves Of
the way you came here; says you
shouldn't have been out in a boat with
two men. and that IT'S a judgment for
sin, your being drowned, or next door
to It, I'm only saying this. my dear
Miss Agatha, to explain. to you why
Susan"
But Agatha wae enlightened at last,
and reused sufficient to cause two red
spots. brighter than they had ever
been in health, to burn on her cheeks.
She sat up very straight, facing Doc
tor Thayer's worried gaze. and inter
rupted him in tones ringing with
anger.
do you mean to tell me. Doctor
Thayer, that your sister. the sister of
my mothers lifelong friend. sits in
her house and imagines scandalous
stories about me. when she knows
nothing at all about the facts or about
me? That she thinks was out in a
boat alone with two men? That she
Ia mean enough to condemn me with
out knowing the first thing about this
awful accident? Oh. have no words!"
And Agatha covered her burning face
with her hands. unable. by mere
speech, to express her outraged feel.
ings. Doctor Thayer edged uneasily
about Agatha's couch. with manner
resembling that of whipped dog.
why, my dear Miss Agatha. Susan
will come round in time. She's not SO
bad. really. She'll come round In time,
only Just now we haven't any time to
spare. Don't feel SO badly. Susan is
too set in her views"