The state herald., 1913-06-20
CHAPTER XVI.
A Floh,Ino Chance.

A Fighting Chance.
The dining-room of the old red house
was cool. and fragrant from the bios
soming heliotrope bed below its win
dow. The twilight. which is long In
eastern Maine. shed soft glow over
the old mahogany and silver. and an
equally soft and becoming radiance
over the two women seated at the
table. After a sonorous blessing. ut
tered by Mrs. Stoddard in tones full
Of unction. she and Agatha ate sup
per In a sympathetic silence. 1t was
meal upon which Sallie Kingsbury
expended her best powers as cook.
with no mean results: but nobody
took much notice Of It, after ALL Mrs.
Stoddard poured her tea into her
saucer. drinking and eating absent.
mindedly. Her face lighted with
something very like a smile whenever
she caught Agatha's eyes. but to her
talk was not necessary. sallie how
cred around the door. even though
Lizzie had condescended to put on a
white apron and serve. But Agatha
sent the city maid away. bidding her
walt on the people in the sick-room
Instead.
Mr.. Hand had been left with the
patient and had acQuiesced in the plan
to stay on duty until midnight, when
Mrs. Stoddard was to be called.
Agatha had spent nn hour with James.
helping Mrs. Stoddard or watching the
patient while the nurse made many
necessary trips to the kitchen. The
sight Of James woeful plight drove
every thought from her mind. En-.
gagements and managers lost their
reality. and became shadow memories
beside the vividness of his desperate
need He had no knowledge Of her.
or OF any efforts to secure his com.
fort. He talked necessarily, some
times In a soft. unintelligible murmur.
sometimes In loud and emphatic tones.
His eyes were brilliant but wandering.
his movements were abrupt or violent,
needless or feeble. AZ the moment de-
creed. He talked about the dinEy.
nasty focas'le. the absurdity OF his
not being able to get around. the fine
outfit OF the Sen Gull. the chill OF the
water. He sometimes swore softly.
almost apologeticaily. and he uttered
most unchristian sentiments toward
some person whom he described ~
wearing extremely neat and dandined
clothes.
After the first nve minutes Agatha
pnid no heed to his words. and could
bear to stay In the room only when
she was able to do something to
soothe or comfort him. She was not
wholly unfamiliar with illness and the
trouble that comes In Its train, but
tho sight OF James. with his unrecog.
mixing eyes and his wits nstray, a
superb engine gone wild. brought 4
sharp and hitherto unknown pain to
her throat. She stood over his bed.
holding his hands when he would
reach frcnricdly into tho air after
some object OF his feverish desire:
sAe conxed him back TO his pillow
| when he fancicd he must run TO catch
something that was escaping him. II
took nerve and strength to care for
him: unccnsing vigilance and insenu.
ity were required In rcumvcniing his
crratic movements.
And through II all there was some.
thing about his clean. honest mind
and person that stirred only affection.
ate pity. He was n child, taking a
childs liberties. Mrs. stoddard brood.
I'd over him already, as n mother .cr
her dearest son: Mr.. Hand had turned
gentle as woman and gave tho serv.
ice OF love. not OF tho eye. His skill
In managing almost rivaled Mrs. stod.
dard's. Jsmes accepted Hands min.
| istrations M n matter OF course. BE-.
came more docile under hin treatment.
and watched for him whom he disap-
pearcd. Inhecd. the whole household
was taxed for Jamcs: and Agatha.
deeply distressed as she was. throbbcd
with gratitude that nhc could help
caro- for him. II only for mn hour,
Thus u was that the two women.
eating their supper and looking out
over Hercules Thayer'a pleasant Enr.
den. were silent. Mrs. Btoddard was
thinking about the duties OF the night.
Agatha was swallowed up In the mis-
cries Of tho last hour. Mrs. stoddard
was tho f1rpt 10 rise. shc was tipping
on on hcr fingers n number OF itsns
which Agatha did not catch. saying
"Hmi" and "Yesi" 10 herself Despite
hcr deep anxiety. Mrs. s,oddnrd was
In her element She had nothing isss