The state herald., 1913-07-25


Yes; little more. And II It
hadn't been for you, l shouldn't be
here. or anywhere. / often think of
that"
"You see!" he cried. "I had to have
you. even II followed you halfway
round the globe; even II l had to jump
into the sea. Kismet-you can't es-
cape mel"
But Agatha was only half smiling.
No." she protested. ut Is not that.
I owe"
Jim put his fingers on her lips.
Tut. tut! Dear girl. you owe moth
ing, except to your own courage and
good swimming. But as for me. why.
you know I'm yours"
James," Agatha could not help
preaching bit, Just because we hap
pen to be the actors In an adventure
is no reason. no real reason. why We
should be silly about each other. We
don't have to end the story that way"
oh. don't we? We'll see!" shouted
jim. And I'm not silly. II some other
people are. l don't see why should
be cheated out of a perfectly good
climax, II you put 1t that way, any
more than the next fellow. Agatha.
dearest"
But she wouldn't listen to him. mo,
no." she protested. slowly but earn
estly. Look here. Mr.. James Ham
bleton. Of Lynn! l promise to do any
thing. or everything. that you honest.
ly want. after you get well. I'll lis
ten to you then. But I'm not going
to let a man who is Just out of de.
lirium make love to me-"
But I'm not Just out l only had
a whack on the head, and that's moth
ing. I'm strong as an OF. I'm saner
than anybody. Do listen to me. Aga
tha"
Mono. mustn't"
But tell me. dear. You're freel
You're not" he searched for the
word that suited his mood-"you're
not plighted?"
She smiled. mo. I'm not plighted.' 81
"Ah!" he chortled. and seized both
her hands. putting them TO his lips,
She stood over him. looking down
tenderly.
Time for your broth. Mr.. Hamble.
ton. and Mr.. Strnker wants to know
II he can see you." interrupted Mr..
Hand.
Cant see him. Andy. I'm very
busy" began Jim: then added. by
the way. who 10 Mr. Strakeri"
Tell him he may come In for few
minutes. Mr.. Hand" directed Agatha.
Presently the manager was being In.
troduced in the properest manner to
the invalid. Agatha. knowing James
would need protection from quixxing,
stayed by.
Nov. tell me-" wheedled Mr.. Strak.
er. "the whole story just exactly ss
It happened to you. please. It's very
important that ] should know all the
details"
So Jimmy. aided now and then by
Agatha, delivered n Straker.ired yer.
sion OF the wreck and the arrival Mt
liion.
"But before that" questioned the
manager. How did you happen to be
on the Jeanne DArc,"
Fo. tho frst time James hcsitatcd.
Not even Agatha knew that part OF
the story. Il was picked up by the
Jeanne D'Arc in New York harbor." "
ho replied slowly
Mr.. strakcr frowncd. "How-pick-
cd up7"
"Out of the vuter,'
What were you In the water forf"
II had Just dropped on n tug"
What for7"
because wanted tho yacht TO pick
mo up"
Al this point Mr.. Strnker directed
commiscrating look nt Agatha. II
said Crazy ms plain as words.
What were you on the tug forf"
Il had followed the yacht"
what for7'
The pause before James next nm.
swcr was apparent. When II came.
there came with Il that same seven.
yrnr.oid look OF smiling ingenious.
ness. II Just wanted TO neo what they
were going TO do with Miss Redmond" I"
"Jimminy christmani" exploded Mr..
strnkcr. ANY more kinks In this
story1 How'd you know thoy'd
stolen Miss Rcdmondr'
And no Jimmy had TO tell II all.
with tho nbominabio Htrnker growing
more and more excited every minute.
md Agatha standing muto and awe
struck. looking nj him II was plain
That ft,auv for the fnomcut had tho
upper hand. And thnt'n about ALI"
be laughed.
what ON earth. man. Ii tho matter
with your" fumad strakor Didn't
you know there were hundred
chances 10 one the yacht wouldn'i Y
pick you upf"
Jimmy nodded. unabsshed. "one
chance Ia good enough for me Meth
Ing can kill mo this trip. ! tell yJu.