Rocky Ford enterprise., 1913-05-16

ground. SO to speak. But I can't let
you leave me this way"
You will have to. 1 am going back
to the house."
Up to this point. James had merely
been playing tag, as it were. The
game wasn't really on. A little skir-
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 I would ask you. as
special favor, to stay a few min
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 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.
| Agatha, you shall not turn me
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 1t involves a good deal.
] admit. But we have lived through
| good deal together in these few
| weeks. I'm here; I'm here to stay.
You can't say now. dear. that you
care nothing for me-can your"
Ir 30 7 oh
You will always be my friend. my res
cuer, to whom l am eternally CRATE
full"
Jimmy emitted a sound halfway be-
tween "Shucks" and Damn" and
swung impatiently clean round on his
heels.
Grateful be hanged! I 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 a little.
you're mine. for / plucked you out of
the sea. ] had to have you: ! guess
knew 1t that Sunday. only 1t 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 l could have prayed for.
I'll do. I'll be. anything you wish; I'll
change myself over. but oh. don't say
you won't have me. Agatha. Agatha.
you don't know how much you mean
to mel"
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 suspicious moistness.
as she shook her head.
You will always be the most gal
liant, unselfish friend I have ever
known. But"
"But-what?"
Marry you ! can not"
"Why not?"
81 can not marry anybody"
Then Jimsy said disgraceful
thing "You kissed me once. VIII you
do 1t again?"
At this irlpudence, 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
mel"
NO"
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
ly confess 1t. 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 is
doing very well indeed. saw him
start of for a walk this afternoon"
"Jim's a chump. Give him a cole
potato" jeered Aleck.
But after supper was over. and thu
twilight deepened into darkness.
Agatha sought Aleck where she could
speak with him alone.
IL think Mr.. Hambleton was
troubled when he left here this after
poon," she said. Can you think
where he would be likely to go? He
is not strong enough to bear much
hard exercise yet"
AIeck looked at her keenly.
'If he went anywhere. / think he'd
so straight to the yacht"
81 feel n little anxious. someway."
confessed Agatha.
Chamberlain's voice broke in upon
them. Anybody ready to take me
down TO the Sea Gull in the carr"
L IL .i.i.-