The Elbert County tribune., 1913-06-27
In, glao AIeck is setr,ns

theory that Chatelard had made
straight for New York"
Not bit Of It Aleck and let
you all believe that, for the sake of
the ladies. But the evidence IL all the
other way. We would surely have
caught him II he had been on any OF
the New York trains. I believe he's
about here and means mischief yet"
IF he's about here. there's no doubt
about the mischief"
I'm going down tonight to bunk on
the Sea Gull. Aleck let the men OF,
to go to sailors dance over on one
of the islands. They'll probably be at
1t all night, so I'm going back"
why not let me go? I'm fine as
fiddle You've had your full share OF
nasty detective work"
Not at all. I'm booked to see this
thing through"
"All right" laughed Jimsy. But II
you change your mind. let me know"
Arriving at the house. the men found
1t deserted Windows were open and
doors unlatched. but no one, not even
Danny. responded to Jim's call. Cham
berlain started for the Hillside in the
car. and Jim wandered about lone
somely. wondering where everybody
was With Jim, as In most cases.
everybody meant one person; and
presently Sallie. appearing slowly
from the upper regions. gave him his
clue He started nimbly for the pine
wood
The wagon road stretched alluring-
ly into the sun-fecked shade of the
grove A hush like that OF primeval
day threw Its uncanny influence over
the world. Jim felt something tugging
at his spirit that was unfamiliar, dis
quieting. He began to whistle Just
for company, and In a moment, as II
at a signal call. Danny came along the
path. sedateiy trotting to meet him.
"Hullo. ola pardper! So this is
where you are"
Danny said yes, and led Jim into
the clearing and up to pine stump.
where everybody sat, quite alone, chin
propped on hand. No singing, no book.
and-or did Jimmy imagine it?-a
spirit decidedly quenched. Her eye
lids were red and her face was pale.
so. dear lady, l have found you.
Doe "ao iiolehiu6 lOT tuc bOu6-
There is no song today" Agatha's
manner resembled an Arctic breeze.
May one ask why?'
"One can not always be singing"
No? Why not? could-if III
could"
Agatha was obliged to relax trihe |
at Jimmy's foolishness, but only to
reveal, more and more distinctly, a |
wretchedness OF spirit that was quite |
battling. 1t was not feminine wretch |
edness waiting for a masculine COM |
forter. either. as James observed with |
regret; It was a stoical spirit, braced |
to meet blow-or to deal one.
Jimmy was not used to being |
snubbed. and instinctively prepared |
for vigorous protest. He began with |
little preliminary diplomacy.
you haven't inquired what I'm CO.
Ing to do with the remainder OF my |
holiday" he remarked.
Il supposed you would return soon |
to Lynn. Shall we walk back to the
house7"
The unkind words were spoken in a
rare-sweet voice, courteously enough.
Jim looked at the speaker a moment,
then emphatically said mol"
''lt is quite time l was returning"
Have you anything there to do
that is more important than listening
to me for fifteen minutes?"
Agatha did not pretend not to un.
derstand him. She turned toward him
with unfinching eyes.
Truth to say, yes, Mr.. Hambleton,
tx- .t-L
anything"
"Oh-if you feel like that! Your
Mr.. Hambleton' is enough to strike |
me dumb"
Believe me. 1t is the best way"
Again. may one ask why?"
You are going back to your own
people. to your own work. And / to
mine"
But that's the very point. My idea
was toto combine them.'
81 guessed it."
Jimmy smiled his ingenious smile
as he suavely asked: And don't you
-er-like the idea ?"
Agatha turned her wretched white
face toward him. Into 1t there had
come a grim determination that left
Jimmy quite out in the cold.
II have no choice in liking or dis
liking It," she said quite evenly "But
there are plenty of reasons why l
can't think of it. And you shouldn't
think of 1t any more. l assure you,
you are making a mistake"
She got up az If ready to walk
away, her face averted.
"Agatha!"
At the name she turned to Jim. as
much as to say she would be quite
reasonable If he would be. But her
face suddenly flushed gloriously.
Agatha. dear, hear me. did not
intend to tell you all my secret to-
dor taot until rhc.,tld bo