The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1913-01-22

uay ana got the Will all liked She's a
singer too-one OF those opery sing
ers down below, she is"
Sallie made this announcement as
IL she was relating a bewildering blow
of Providence for which she herself
was not responsible. Aleck, who be-
gan to fear that he might be the re-
cipient of more condolences than
decorum dictated, hastily preferred
his next question.
Can I see the lady, Miss Redmond?
OF is II Mrs. Redmond.
sallie gave a scornful, injured sniff.
Miss Redmond, sir, though she's
old enough to be Mrs. wouldn't so
much mind her coming in here and
using the parsons china that always
washed with my own hands IL she was
Mrs. But what can she, an unmar-
ried woman and an opery singer. know
about Parson Thayer's ways and keep
ing this house in order, when I've
been with him going on seventeen
years and he took me outer the Home
when was no more than child?"
Alexis heart would have been
stone had he resisted this all but pas
sionate plea.
You have been faithfulness itself.
am sure. But do you think Miss Red
mond would see me, at least for few
minutes?"
Sallie recovered her dignity, which
had been near collapse in tears, and
assumed her official tone. Il don't
know as you can, and don't know as
you can. She's sick, too; fell over
board somehow or other, offer one of
those pesky boats, and get neuralagy
and 1 don't know what all. But I'll
go and see how she's feeling"
"Stay, wait minute" said Aleck,
seized with new thought. III write
message to Miss Redmond and then
she'll know just what want. II you'll
be so good as to take it to herr"
"Why, certainly, of course I will"
said Sallie Kingsbury. only you
needn't take all that trouble. can
tell her what you want myself"
Sallie was one of those persons who
regard the pen as the weapon of last
resort, not to be used until necessity
compels. But Alesk continued writing
on blank leaf of his notebook. The
message was this:
Can you give me any information
concerning my cousin, James Handle
ton, who was thought to be aboard the
Jeanne D'Arc?"
He tore the leaf out, extracted a
card from his pocketbook, and hand
ed leaf and card to Sallie. will you
please give those to Miss Redmond"
Sallie wiped her hands, which were
perfectly clean, on her white apron,
took the card and bit of paper and de-
parted, shifting audibly. When she re-
turned, it was to say, with slightly
more interested air, that Miss Red
mond wished to see him upstairs.
She stood at the bottom of the wide
stairway and pointed to a corner of
the upper floor. "She's in there-room
on the right" and so she stalked off
to the kitchen.
Aleck Van Camp sought the region
indicated by Sallie's gaunt finger with
some misgivings; but he was pres
emily guided further by a clear voice.
Come in thisVway, Mr.. Van Camp,
If you pleased"
The voice led him to an open door,
before which he stood, looking into
large, old-fashioned bedroom, from
whose windows the white curtains
fluttered in the breeze. Miss Redmond
was propped up with pillows on a
horsehair-covered lounge, which stood
along the foot of a monstrous bed.
She was clothed in some sort of wool
wrapper, and over her feet was thrown
a faded travelling rug. By her side
stood a chair on which were writing
materials. Alexis note and card, and
a half-written letter. Agatha sat up
as she greeted Aleck.
81 am glad to see you, Mr.. Van
Camp. Will you come in? ask your
pardon for not coming downstairs to
see you, but I have been i'll, and am
not strong yet"
She was about to motion Aleck to
chalr, but stopped In the midst OF
her speech, arrested by his express
sion. Aleck stood rooted to the door
sill, with, look of surprise on his
face which amounted to actual
amazement. Thus apparently startled
out of himself. he regarded Agatha
earnestly.
"Will you come in?" Agatha repeat
ed at last.
Pardon me-" he said finally in his
precise drawl, "but confess to being
startled You-you bear such an ex-
traordinary resemblance to some one
| know. that thought it must really
be she, for moment"
Agatha smiled family. "You look
ed as IL you had seen a ghost"
Aleck gazed at her again, long,
scrutinizing look. st does make one
feel queer, you know"
"But now that you are assured that