Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1913-08-08
ia This is not a hospitable place.

The stranger laughed gently. Have
you guessed who l am, then? No!
Well, you see had the advantage OF
you from the first You are Miss Red
mond, and l followed you here from
the house where your servant gave me
the directions. / 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 /, we're Mr.. Van
Camps guests on board the Sea Gull.
When he heard of the wreck Of the
Jeanne D'Arc We put in to Charles
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 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
bleton," said Agatha impulsively.
THE fever turned last night. We're
you told that he is better?"
ono, 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 stsnding 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. II was evident
that each was capable of laying aside
formality, when she wished to do so,
pine dome. They were quickly on a
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; 1t was the
most populous and entertaining place
in all the world. / much preferred
the wood to anything in the city.
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 well!" cried Melanie
ct will be your castle Of retreat
your Sans-Souci, for all your life.
envy you! II is charming. Pastor
Parson, do you say?-Parson Thayel
was man Of judgment"
Yes, 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
am beginning to appreciate his for
mer master"
Agatha stopped and patted the dogs
head. Youth and health, helped by
the sympathy of a friend, were work
ing wonders In Agatha. She beamed
with happiness.
Come into the house." she begged
Melanie, and look at some Of his
books with me. But first we'n find
Sallie and get luncheon, and perhaps
Mr.. Van Camp will appear by thai
time. Poor man, he was quite worI
out. Then you shall see Parson Thay
er's books and flowers. If you will"
They strolled over the velvet lawr
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 flanked the
gateway, stood a large silver-whitt
tomobile-evidently Miss Reynier'i
conveyance. The driver Of the ma
J chine had disappeared.
II mustn't trespass on your kindness
for luncheon today, thank you," Me
LAME was saying; but I'll come agar
soon, If l may" Meantime she wal
moving slowly down the walk. Bu'
| Agatha would not have 1t so. She
| chung to this woman friend with ar
unwonted eagerness, begging her Il
stay.
I'VE are quite alone, and we have
been so miserable over Mr.. HANDLE
tons Illness" she pleaded quite II
logically. do stay and cheer US upl'
And so Melanie was persuaded; cas-
lily, too. except for her compunctioni
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 o
restfulness itself; and l haven't seel