Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1913-03-13
card mos n,s rochetnooR az Sand.

ed leaf and card &c Sallie. will yov
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 de-
parted smiling audibly. When she re-
turned, it was to say, with a slightly
mora interested air, that Miss Red
mond wished to see him upstairs.
She stood at the bottom of the wide
stairway and pointed to corner OF
the upper moor She's in there-room
on the right!' and so she stalked of
to the kitchen. 4
Aleck Van Camp sought the region
indicated by Sallies gaunt finger with
some misgivings; but he was pres
entity guided further by a clear voice.
Come in this way. Mr.. Van Camp.
II You pleasey'
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
futtered in the breeze. Miss Redmond
was propped up with pillows on a
horsehair-covered lounge. which stood
along the foot OF monstrous bad.
She was clothed In some sort OF wool
wrapper, and over her feet was thrown
a faded travelling rug. By her side
stood chair on which were writing
materials, Alexis note and card, and
half-written letter Agatha sat up
as she greeted Aleck.
i am glad to see you. Mr.. Van
Camp. Will you come in? ask your
pardon for not coming downstairs to
see you, bat have been i'll. and am
not strong yeti
She was about to Aaotion Aleck to
a chair, but stopped in I& midst OF
her speech, arrested by his sspres-
sion. Aleck stood rooted to the door
sill. with look Of surprise on his
face which amounted to actual
amazement. Thus apparently startled
out OF himself, he regarded Agatha
earnestly.
will you come in?" Agatha repeat
ed at last
Pardon me-" he said finally In his
precise drawl, 'but confess to being
startled. You-you bear such an ex-
traordinary resemblance to some one
| know, that / thought 1t must really
be she, for moment"
Agatha smiled family You look.
ed as il you had seen a ghost"
Aleck gazed at her again, a long,
scrutinizipg look 1T does make one
feel queer, you know"
But now that you are assured that
I'm not a ghost, will you sit down?
That chair by the window. please
And can't tell you how glad l am
to see you; for James Hambleton.
your cousin, if he is your cousin, is
here in this house. and he is ill-yery
i'll indeed"
Alexis nonchalance had already
disappeared, in the series of sur
prises; but at Agatha's words flush
of pleasure and relief overspread his
face. He strobe quickly over toward
Agathas couch
"Ob, say--old JIM thought,
was afraid"
Agatha was touched by the evil
dences of his emotion, and her voice
became very gentle. Il fancy 1t is
the same-James Hambleton of
Lynn" Aleck nodded and she went
on: That's what he told me, the
night we were wrecked"
Agatha looked at Aleck, as II she
would discover whether he were trust.
worthy or not. before giving him more
of her story. Presently she ccatin-
ued:
He's very brave. a very wonderful
man. He jumped, overheard to save
me. after l fell from the ladder; and
then they left us and we swan ashore.
But long before we got there tainted,
and he brought me in, all the way,
though he was nearly dead OF exhaus-
ton himself. He had hemorrhaee
from overexertion. and afterward
chill And now there is fever"
Agatha's voice was trembling. Aleck
watched her as she told her tale. the
flush OF happiness and Joy still light
ing up his face. AS she finished re-
lating the meager facts which to her
denoted SO many heart-throbs. a sob
drowned her voice AS Aleck followed
the story, his own eyes wavercd.
That's Jim, down to the ground.
Good old boy!" he said
There was a silence for a minute.
then he heard Agatha's voice, grown
little and faint. IF he should die"
Aleck. still standing by Agatha'a,
couch. suddenly shook himself
Where is he? Can see him now."
Agatha got up slowly and led the
way down the hall. pointing to door
that stood ajar. 1t was evident that
she was weak
ITO RE CONTrNTrE,r