River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-04-10

Well, you see had the advantage of
you from the first. You are Miss Red
mond, and | followed you here from
the house where your servant gave me
the directions. I am Miss Reynier,
Melanie Reynier, and am staying at
the Hillside. Mr.. Van Camp" and to
| her own great surprise, Melanie
blushed crimson at this point-"that
is. we, my aunt and /, were Mr.. Van
Camps guests on board the Sea Gull.
| When he heard Of the wreck of the
Jeanne Dare we put In to Charles
| port; though he has probably ex-
planned all this to you. 1t was such
relief and pleasure to Mr.. Van Camp
to find his cousin, Ill as he was; for
he had feared the worst
| Agatha had not heard Miss Rey-
nier's name before, but she knew
vaguely that Mr.. Van Camp had been
with a yachting party when he arrived
at Charlesport. Now that she was
face to face with Miss Reynier, keen
liking and interest, quick confidence,
rose in her heart for her.
Then perhaps you know Mr.. Ham
b1eton," said Agatha impulsively
"The fever turned last night. Were
you told that he is better?"
"'No, don't know him. said Me-
LAME, shaking her head. "Neverthe-
less, / am heartily glad to hear that
he is, better. Much better, they said
at the house."
They had been standing at the place
where Agatha had first discovered her
visitor, but now they turned back into
the clearing.
Come and try the organ pipes
again." she begged. They walked
about the wood, singing first one
strain and then another, testing the
curiously beautiful properties of the
footing Of friendliness. 1t was evident
that each was capable of laying aside
formality, when she wished to do SO,
pine dome. They were quickly on
and each was, at heart, frank and sin
cere. Melanie's talent for song was
not small, yet she recognized in
Agatha a superior gift; while, to Aga
tina, Melanie Reynier seemed increas-
ingly mature, polished, full of charm.
They left the wood and wandered
back through the pasture and over the
stile, each learning many things in re-
gard to the other. They spoke of the
place and it's beauty, and Agatha told
Melanie of the childhood memories
which, for the first time, she had re-
vived in their living background.
"How our thoughts change!" she
said at last "As child, never felt
this farm to be lonely; it was the
most populous and entertaining place
in all the world. I much preferred
the wood to anything in the city. l
love it now, too; but it seems the
essence of solitude to me-"
"That Is because you have been
where the passions and restlessness
of men have centered. One is never
the same after that"
! strangely enough, the place now
belongs to me-" went on Agatha. par
son Thayer, the former owner and
resident, was my mothers guardian
and friend, and left the place to me
for her sake"
"Ah, that is WE'LL" cried Melanie.
ct will be your castle of retreat,
your Sans-Souci, for all your life. /
envy you! 1t is charming. Pastor
Parson, do you say?-Parson Thayer
was man of Judgment
| Eyes, and a man of strange and
dominating personality, in his way.
Everything about the house speaks of
him and his tastes. Even Danny here
| follows me, / really believe, because
l am beginning to appreciate his for
mer master"
Agatha stopped and patted the dogs
head. Youth and health, helped by
the sympathy of friend were work
ing wonders in Agatha. She beamed
with happiness.
Come into the house., she begged
Melanie. land look at some of his
books with me. But first we'll find
Sallie and get luncheon, and perhaps
Mr.. Van Camp will appear by that
time Poor man, he was quite worn
out Then you shall see Parson Thay
er's books and flowers, if you will"
They strolled over the velvet lawn
toward the front of the house, where
the door and the long windows stood
open. Down by the road. and close
to the lilac bushes that 1anked the
gateway, stood large ssiyer-white
evidently Miss Reynier's
conveyance The driver OF the ma
chine had disappeared.
II mustn't trespass on your kindness
for luncheon today, thank you," Me-
LAME was saying; "but I'll come again
soon, if l may" Meantime she was
moving slowly down the walk But
Agatha would not have it SO. She
chung to this woman friend with an
unwonted eagerness, begging her to
stay.
1--WE are quite alone, and we have
been so miserable over Mr.. Handle
tons Illness" she pleaded quite IL
logically. DO stay and cheer us up"
And so Melanie was persuaded; cas-
lily, too, except for her computations
about abusing the hospitality of
household whose first care must neces-
sarily be for the sick
Il want to stay" she said frankly.
"The house breathes the very air of
restfulness itself; and | haven't seen
the garden at ALL" She walked back
n Ra0Ittar S%.;r.