Rocky Ford enterprise., 1913-05-09

Green ocean, ,oo-he's quite as
much at home there" laughed Aga
tina.
"Humph!" Mr. Straker grunted in
disgust. Let me assure you, Miss
Redmond. that it's no joking matter"
Tradition to the contrary. Agatha
was content to let the man have the
last word. Mr.. Straker turned to
some business matters. wrote out tele-
graphic material enough to occupy
theoleisurely Charlesport operator for
some hours. and then disappeared.
Agatha was impressed by the man
ayers words somewhat more than her
manner implied. She had no swift
and sure judgment of people, and her
experience of the world. short as 1t
was, had taught her that recklessness
is a costly luxury. She was meditat-
ing as to the wisest course to pursue.
when the ex-chauffeur appeared.
Hand wore his accustomed loose
shirt and trousers without coat or
waistcoat, and 1t seemed as If he had
never known hat. His thick hair
/ was tumbled back from the forehead.
His hands were now spotless. and his
whole appearance agreeably clean and
wholesome. He even looked as If he
were going to be frank. but Agatha
knew that must be delusion. 1t was
impossible, however, not to be some
what cajoled-he was SO eminently
likable. Agatha took lesson from
his own book, and waited in silence
for him to speak.
"Mademoiselle?" His voice had an
undertone of excitement or nervous
ness that was wholly new.
well, Mr.. Hand7"
He remained standing by the door
| for moment, then stepped forward
with the abrupt manner OF stripping
who, usually inarticulate. has sudden
/ ly found tongue.
why did you do it. Mademoiselle?"
DO what. my friend?"
Back me up before the sheriff
Give me slick walkout like that
Agatha laughed good-huinoredly.
why should l answer your ques-
tions, Mr.. Hand. when you SO persist
entity ignore mine?"
Hand made a gesture of impatience.
"Mademoiselle, you may think me
| IL
enough to hide behind a woman. Don't
you know me well enough to know
that?" he demanded 30 earnestly that
he seemed very Cross.
Agatha looked into his face with a
new curiosity. He was very young,
after all. Something in the way Of
experience had been grinding philoso-
ply, of a sort, into him-or out Of
him. Wealth and position had been
his natural enemies, and he had some
bow been led to an attitude of antag-
onism that was, at bottom. quite for
eign to his nature.
So much Agatha could guess at. and
for the rest. instinct taught her to be
kind. But she was not willing now to
take him SO seriously as he seemed to
be taking himself. She couldn't re-
sist teasing him a bit, by saying;
Nevertheless. Mr.. Hand. you did hide
behind me: you had to-"
He did not reply to her bantering
. smile, but, in the pause that followed.
stepped to the bookcase where she
had been standing. gingerly picked up
soft bit of linen and lace from the
floor and dropped 1t into her lap Then
| ne 1aCeu Her III al aeeitoNS ~ fNoA'>
cious irritation. For brief moment
his silence fell from him.
"I didn't have to-" he contradicted.
81 let 1t go because I thought you
we're a good sport. and you wouldn't
catch me backing out of your game,
not by good deal! But there's a
darned sight-pardon me. Mademoi-
selle.-there's too much company
round here to suit me! You know me.
you know you can trust me. Mademoi-
selle! But what about Tom. Dick and
Harry all over this place-casting
eyes at a MANI"
l Agatha. almost against her will.
was forced to meet his seriousness
halfway. 81 don't know what you
Inean," she said.
Tell 'em!" he burst out Tell EN-
the whole story. Tell that blamed
snoopin' manager that I'm a crook
and a kidnaper. and then he'll stop
nosing round after me. I'll have an
hours start, and that's all I want.
Dogging a man-running him down
under his own automobile!" Hand
permitted himself dry smile at his
own joke. but Immediately added: ut
goes against the grain. Mademoi-
selle!"
| Agatha's face frightened. as she
grasped the clue to Hands wrath
1--WE no doubt" she answered grave
ly. She knew the manager. But why
should tell him, as you suggest?"
CTO BE CoNTINUEDJ