Rocky Ford enterprise., 1913-04-04

less spirit haunted her. She thought
of that other night on the water, full
of heartbreaking struggle as 1t was,
as happy night compared to the one
which was yet to come. She realized
their foolish talk while they were on
the beach, and smiled sadly over 1t.
Her courage was at the ebb. She felt
that the buoyancy of spirit that had
sustained them both during the night
of struggle could never revisit the
wasted and ,disorganized body lying In
Parson Thayer's house-her house. A
certain practical sense that was
strong in her rose and questioned
whether she had done everything that
could be done for his welfare. She
thought SO. Had she not even prayed,
with all her concentration of mind
and will? She heard again Susan
Stoddard's deep voice: mo striving
toward God is ever losti" In spite of
her unfaith, sense of rest in a pow
er larger than herself came upon her
unawares. Danny. who had wandered
away. came back and sat down heavi-
ly on the edge of her skirt, close to
her. Good Dannyi" she praised. pet
ting him to his hearts content.
1t was thus that Aleck Van Camp
found them, as he came over the stile
from the house. His tones were SLOW
er and more precise than ever, but his
face was drawn and marked with anx-
iety. He had careful thought for
Agatha, even in the face of his great
er trouble.
oh h~A tr>
wander about, Miss Redmond. The
evening dews are heavy"
Yes. know; Danny and I were
just going home. Have you been into
the house?"
Yes. left Doctor Thayer there in
consultation with the other physician
that came today. They sent me off.
Old Jim-well, you know as well as
do. With your permission. I'm 60
ing to stay the night. I'll bunk in the
hall, or anywhere. Don't think of a
bed for me; don't want one"
I'm glad you'll stay. 1t seems.
somehow. as If every one helps; that
is, every one who cares for him."
Doctor Thayer thinks there will be
a change tonight, though 1t is difficult
to tell. Jim's family have my tele-
gram by this time, and they will get
my letter tomorrow. probably. Any
way, shall wait until morning before
l send another message"
The tension of their thoughts was
too sharp; they turned for relief to
the scene before them, stopping at
the stile to look back at the steepled
white church, standing under its
spreading balm-of-Gilead tree.
1T seems strange" said Agatha,
ito think that I sat out there under
that big tree as little girl. Every
thing is so different now"
'llion, then, was once your homer"
mo. never my home. though 1t was
once my mothers home. l used to
visit here occasionally. years and
years ago"
Aleck produced his quizzical grin.
"a gallant person would protest that
that is Incredible"
Il wasn't angling for gallantry,"
Agatha replied wearily. 81 am twen-
ty-six, and I haven't been here GER
tainly since l was eight years old.
Eighteen years are a good many"
ITO youth, yes" acquiesced Aleck.
Which. reminds me. by contrast, of
the hermit; he was SO incredibly old.
1t was he who unwittingly put me on
Jim's trail. He said that the owner or
proprietor of the Jeanne D'Arc was
dropped ashore on his island"
Monsieur Chatelard?" cried Agatha.
"I don't know his name"
IF 1t was Monsieur Chatelard,"
Agatha paused. looking earnestly at
Aleck, "if 1t was he, 1t is the man who
tricked me into his motor-car in New
York, drugged me and carried me
aboard his yacht while / was uncon.
scious."
Aleck turned a sharp, though not
unsympathetic, gaze upon Agatha. T
have told no one but Doctor Thayer,
and he did not believe me. But 1t is
quite true; the wreck saved me, prob
ably. from something worse, though I
don't know what"
If there had been skepticism on
Alexis face for an instant 1t had dis.
appeared. Instead, there was deep
concern. as he considered the case.
Had you ever seen the man Chate-
lard before?"
Never to my knowledge"
Did he visit you on board the
yacht?"
"Only once. / was put into the
charge of an old lady. Frenchwoman,
Madame Sofie: evidently a trusted
chaperon. or nurse. or something like
that. When l came to myself in a
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