The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1913-08-22
where. I'm glad kieck is. getting

| theory that Chatelard had made
straight for New York"
mot bit of it. Aleck and | let
you all believe that, for the sake of
the ladies. But the evidence Is all the
other way. We would surely have
caught him II he had been on any Of
| the New York trains. I believe he's
about here and means mischief yet"
IF he's about here, there's no doubt
about the mischief"
Pm going down tonight to bunk On
the Sea Gull. Aleck let the men off,
to go to sailors dance over on one
of the islands. They'll probably be at
1t all night, SO I'm going back"
why not let nue. go? I'm fine as a
fiddle. You've had your full share Of
nasty detective work"
mot ut all I'm booked to see this
thing through"
"All right" laughed Jmsy. But il
you change your mind, let me know"
Arriving at the house. the men found
it deserted. Windows were open and
doors Unattached, but no one, not even
Danny, responded to Jims call. Cham
berlain started for the Hillside in. the
car, and Jim wandered about lone
someiy, wondering where everybody
was. With jim, as in most cases,
everybody meant one person; and
presently Sallie, appearing slowly
from the upper regions, gave him his
clue. He started nimbly for the pine
wood.
The wagon road stretched alluring-
| fy into the sun-fecked shade OF the
grove. A hush like that Of primeval
day threw it's uncanny influence over
the world. Jim felt something Juggling
at his spirit that was unfamiliar, dis
quieting. He began to whistle just
for company. and in moment, as II
at signal call, Danny came along the
path, sedately trotting to meet him.
"Hullo, old pardner! So this Is
where you are"
Danny said yes, and led Jim into
the clearing and up to pine stump.
where everybody sat, quite alone, chin
propped on hand. No singing. no book,
and-or did Jimmy imagine TIA
spirit decidedly quenched Her eye
lids were red and her face was pale.
$50. dear lady, have found you.
But was listening for the song
"There is no song today" Agatha's
manner resembled an Arctic breeze.
May one ask why?"
Zone can not always be singing"
mo? Why not? | could-if l
could
Agatha was obliged to relax trifie
at Jimmy's foolishness, but only to
reveal, more and more distinctly,
| wretchedness of spirit that was quite
battling. 1t was not feminine wretch
edness waiting for masculine COM
| forter, either, as James observed with
regret; 1t was a stoical spirit, braced
to meet a blow-or to deal one.
Jimmy was not used to being
snubbed. and instinctively prepared
for vigorous protest He began with
little preliminary diplomacy.
you haven't inquired what I'm 60
ing to do with the remainder of my
holiday" he remarked.
Il supposed you would return soon
to Lynn Shall we walk back to the
house?"
The unkind words were spoken In a
rare.sweet voice, ceurteously enough.
Jim looked at the speaker moment,
then emphatically said moi"
1T is quite time l was returning"
Have you anything there to do
that is more important than listening
to me for fifteen minutes?"
Agatha did not pretend not to I'm.
derstand him. She turned toward him
with unflinching eyes.
Truth to say, yes, Mr.. Hambleton,
have. I don't wish to listen to-
anything"
"Oh-if you feel like that! Your
Mr.. Hambleton' Ia enough to strike
me dumb"
Believe me. it is the best way"
Again, may one ask why?'
you are going back to your own
people, to your own work. And to
mine"
But that's the very point. My idea
was TOTO combine them"
81 guessed It,"
Jimmy smiled his ingenious smile
as he suavely asked: "And don't you
-er-like the idea?"
| Agatha turned her wretched white
| face toward him. Into 1t there had
come a grim determination that left
Jimmy quite out in the cold.
II have no choice in liking or dis
liking It," she said quite evenly. But
there are plenty Of reasons why
can't think of 1t. And you shouldn't
think of It any more. assure you,
you are making a mistake"
She got up as If ready to walk
away, her face ayerted.
"Agatha!"
AT the name she turned to jim, as
much as to say she would be quite