The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1913-08-21

ed leaf and carl to Sallie. VIII yod
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, smiling audibly. When she re-
turned. 1t was to say, with a 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 orn OF
the upper floor. shes in there-room
on the right" and so she stalked of
to the kitchen.
Aleck Van Camp sSuaht the region
indicated by Sallie's gaunt finger with
some misgivings; but he was pres
entity guided further by a clear voice.
Come In this way, MI. Van Camp.
IL o pleased"
The voice led him to an open door.
before which he stood. looking into a
large, old-fashioned bedroom, from
whose windows the white curtains
luttered 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 I'VE 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 Aieck.
Il 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 Ill, and am
not strong yet"
She was about to motion Aleck to
a chair. but stopped In the midst Of
her speech. arrested by his expires
sion. Aleck stood rooted to the door
sill. with a 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
De she, for a moment"
Agatha smiled family. "You look
ed as If you had seen a ghost"
Aleck gazed at her again, a long
scrutinizing look. 1T does make one
feel queer, you know"
But now that you are assured that
I'm not a ghost, will you sit down.
That chair by the window, please
And can't tell you how glad / am
to see you; for James Hambleton
your cousin. If he is your cousin, IL
here in this house, and he is ill-very
i'll indeed"
Alexis nonchalance had already
disappeared, in the series of sur
prises: but at Agatha's words a flush
Of pleasure and relief overspread his
face. He strobe quickly over toward
Agatha's couch.
"Oh. l say-old JIM thought, !
was afraid"
Agatha was touched by the evt
dences of his emotion, and her voice
became very gentle. Il fancy II is
the same-James Hambleton OF
Lynn" Aleck nodded and she went
on: That's what he told me, the
night we were wrecked"
Agatha looked at Aleck, as IL she
would discover whether he we're trust
worthy or not, before giving him more
ne hnr story prncnnfIu che nontf0
ued:
He's a very brave, a very wonderful,
man. He jumped overheard to save
me, after l fell from the ladder; and
then they left us and we swan ashore
But long before we got there / tainted
and he brought me in. all the way
though he vas nearly dead of exhaus
ton himself. He had hemorrhage
from overexertion. and afterward 9
chill. And now there is fever"
Agatha's voice vas trembling. Alech
watched her as she told her tale. the
flush of happiness and JOY still light
ing up his face. AS she finished re
lating the meager facts which to her
denoted SO many h~eart-throbs. a sol
drowned her voice. AS Aleck followed
the story, his own eyes wavered.
That's Jim, down to the ground
Good old boy!" he said.
There was a silence for a minute
then he heard Agatha's voice, grown
little and faint. IF he should die.
Aleck. still standing by Agatha't
couch. suddenly shook himself
Where is he? Can l see him now?.
Agatha got up slowly and led the
way down the hall, pointing to a dooi
that stood ajar. 1t was evident thai
she was weak.
CTo BE CoNTINUED)