The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1913-07-11
CHAPTER XVI.
A Fldhtiro Chance.

- TiSItiHS SIldUCS.
The dining-room of the old red house
was cool, and fragrant from the bios
soming heliotrope bed below its win
dow. The twilight, which is long in
eastern Maine, shed a soft glow over |
the old mahogany and silver, and an
equally soft and becoming radiance
over the two women seated at the
table. After a sonorous blessing, ut
tered by Mrs. Stoddard in tones full
of JUNCTION, she and Agatha ate sup
per In sympathetic silence. 1t was
meal upon which Sallie Kingsbury
expended her best powers as cook,
with no mean results; but nobody
took much notice of it, after all. Mrs.
Stoddard poured her tea into her
saucer, drinking ald eating absent
| mindedly. Her face lighted with
something very like smile whenever
she caught Agatha's eyes, but to her
talk was not necessary. Sallie how
cred around the door, even though
Lizzie had condescended to put on a
white apron and serve. But Agatha
sent the city maid away, bidding her
wait on the people in the sick-room
instead.
Mr.. Hand had been left with the
patient and had acquiesced In the plan
to stay on duty until midnight, when
Mrs. Stoddard was to be called
Agatha had spent an hour with James
helping Mrs. Stoddard or watching the
patient while the nurse made many
necessary trips to the kitchen. The
sight Of James woeful plight drove
every thought from her mind. En-
: gagements and managers lost theil
reality, and became shadow memories
beside the vividness of his desperate
!, need. He had 10 knowledge OF her
n or Of any efforts to secure his com
It fort. He talked necessarily, some
r times In soft, unintelligible murmul
e sometimes In loud and emphatic tone!
u His eyes were brilliant but wandering
a his movements were abrupt or violen
e needless or feeble. as the moment d.
It creed. He talked about the ding.
n nasty fo'casie, the absurdity OF h
1t not being able to get around, the IN
id outfit of the Sea Gull, the chill OF II
W water. He sometimes swore softl
IT almost apologetically, and he uttere
Us most unchristian sentiments towal
some person whom he described
e. wearing extremely neat and dandifi'
1u clothes.
N. After the first FIVE minutes Agatl
w paid no heed to his words. and cou
hear to stay in the room only VIII
of abe was able to do something
soothe or comfort him. She was n
~. wholly unfamiliar with Illness and t
trouble that comes in its train. B
I'm the sight of James, with his unrect
ha MIXING eyes and his wits astray.
80 snperb engine gone wild, brought
"a sharn and hitherto unknown palm
~ her throat. She stood over his b
mo holding his hands when ne wo'
~ reach frenziedly into the air at
some object of his feverish desi
she coaxed him back to his pill
lei when he fancied he must run to ca
iao something that was escaping him.
arp took nerve and strength to care
ais' him. unceasing vigilance and inge
~ ity were required in circumventlng
>, erratic movements.
- And through 1t all there was so
thing about his clean. honest m
!, and person that stirred only AFFECT
'ns ate pity. He was child, fakinl
lug ob,,d.s liberties. Mrs. Stoddard brt
- cd over him already. as mother 9
= bar dearest son: Mr.. Hand had tur
a,s' rontla az woman and gave the 8
= ice az love, not OF the eye. his
o sa IN managing almost rivaled MRS. 8
ne aard,s james accepted HANDS
,etrat,ons as matter oil course.
]. sia came more docile under his treatm
a. and watched for him when ne dl
.n raared Indeed, the whole house
co. was taxed for James; and aga
'ns Saaply distressed az she was, tnro'
: : ~ :, with gratitude that she could
: - oare for him, If only for an hour.
a.. ~ Tins it was that the two VOL
e mn aot,ng their supper and looking
s sn over Hercules Thayer's pleasant
Ia dsr were silent. Mrs. Stoddard