The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1913-01-24

why. certainly. OF course ! will,'
said sallle Kmgsbury Only yoI
needn't take all that trouble car
tell her what you want myself.
Sallle was one of those persons wh'
regard the pen as the weapon Of las
resort, not 10 be used until necessity
compels. But Aleck continued writing
on O blank leaf of his notebook. Tn,
message was this;
Can you give me any Information
concerning my cousin. James liamble
ton, who was thought TO be aboard the
Jeanne D'Arc?"
lie tore the leaf out, extracted q
card from HIS pocketbook. and hand
ed leaf and card 70 Sallle. win 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 do
parted, smiling audibly. When she re-
turned, IL was TO say, with a slightly
more interested air, that Miss Red
mOnd wished 10 see him upstairs.
She stood at the bottom Of the wide
stairway and pointed to a corner Of
the upper Goor She's IN there-room
on the right and so she stalked or
TO the kitchen.
Aleck Van Camp sought the region
indicated by Sallie's gauut finger with
some misgivings but he was pres
emily guided further by a clear voice.
Come In this way, Mr. Van Camp.
II you please!"
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
huttered 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
and over her feet was thrown
a faded travelling rug. BY her side
stood a chair on which we're writing
materials, Alexis note and card, and
q half-written letter. Agatha sat up
rs she greeted Aleck.
Il am glad TO see you, Mr.. Van
Camp. WIN you come in? / ask your
pardon for not coming downstairs to
see you, but have been III. and am
not strong yet"
She was about to motion Aleck 70
4 chair but stopped in the midst OF
her speech, arrested by his express
sion. Aleck stood rooted to the door
Sill, with a look OF surprise on his
ace which amounted to actual
lmazement. Thus apparently startled
,ut Of himself he regarded Agatha
earnestly.
win you come in?" Agatha repeat.
d at last.
Pardon me, he said finally In his
Precise drawl, but confess to being
startled. You-you bear such an ex.
raordinary resemblance TO some one
know, that ! thought it must really
,e she, for moment"
Agatha smiled family. You look. |
ID as If you had seen a ghost"
Aleck gazed at her again, a long, |
look. 1T does make one
eel queer, you know"
But now that you are assured that
m not a ghost, viii you sit down?
hat chair by the window, please.
md | cant tell you how glad I am
D see you; for James Hambleton,
our cousin if he is your cousin. is
ere in this house, and he is ill-very
/ indeed"
Alexis nonchalance had already
in the series of sur
rises; but at Agatha's words a flush
, pleasure and relief overspread his
ice He strobe quickly over toward
gatha's couch
"Oh, I say-old JIM thought,
as afraid"
Agatha was touched by the evi.
ences of his emotion, and her voice
scame very gentle. Il fancy it Is
le same-James Hambleton OF
ynn?" Aleck nodded and she went
!: That's what he told me, the
ght we were wrecked"
Agatha looked at Aleck, as if she
ould discover whether he we're trust
Orthy or not, before giving him moro
her story. Presently she contin.
ID:
He's very brave, a very wonderful =,
an He jumped overheard to save
e, after l fell from the ladder: and ,
en- they left us and we s%am ashore.
1t long before we got there tainted,
d he brought me in, all the way, ,
ough he was nearly dead Of exhaus. .
N himself. He had hemorrhage
I'm overexertion, and afterward
i'll. And now there is fever"
Agatha's voice was trembling. Aleck
.tched her as she told her tale, the
sh of happiness and joy still light ,,
; up his face. AS she finished re :
ing the meager facts which to her
noted so many heart-throbs, a sob \
owned her voice. AS Aleck followed =
, story, his own eyes wavered. p.
That's Jim, down to the ground. j.
cd old boy!" he said.
There was a silence for a minute q.
N he heard Agathas voice, grown ;,
lie and faint IF he should die" =
Aleck, still standing by Agatha's T
Ich. suddenly shook himself -
here is he? Can see him row?" !,
Igatha got up slowly and led the =,
down the hall pointing to a door -
{ stood ajar. It was evident that
was weak.