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

But Susan would not be denied "
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?"
1.-The Lord will establish the work
OF your hands, my child" She sud.
denly turned with one of her prac-
teal ideas. Il wouldn't let that new
city man In to see Mr.. Hambleton just
yet, If were you"
"is 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 not7' said be. 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 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 of,
qulcker'n wink, and hasn't been
back since" Mrs. Stoddard's grim old
face wrinkled in humorous smile.
I guess he'll get over 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.
But still she waited q little before
going. in for her morning visit with
James. 1t meant so much to her! 1t
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 each day she had seen new
lights In Jimmy's eyes. In vain had
she been matter-of-fact and practical.
| 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
thef sweetest fattery 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 feyer-sickness 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 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.
"Er-Andy-couldnt you get me
some kind of tie? This soft shirt
business doesn't look very fit, does
| it. without a tie?" coaxed Jim.
III you ask me. say you look fne."
"Where'd you get all your good
clothes, Id like to know" inquired
Jim sternly, looking at Hands i'm.
maculate linen.
Miss Sallie washes 'em after / 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 whatll you do:'
Il guess Miss Salliell have to sit
up nights" modestly suggested Hand,
when a 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, believe it's the custom"
"That'H 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.
"I guess likely that'll be Miss Red.
mond." replied the respectful Hand.
And so 1t was
Agatha, fresh as the morning. stood
in the doorway for a contemplative
moment. before coming forward to
take Jim's outstretched hand.
ITO BE CONTINUED.)
Rare Attraction for a Sideshow.