The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1913-06-28

Il was wondering" she began agar
how you happened to escape fror
the Jeanne DArc alone in a rowboat
and what your connection with Mon
sieSr Chatelard was. VIII you tel
me"
A perfectly vacant look came int,
Hands face. He might have beel
deaf and dumb.
At last Agatha began again. Il an
grateful, exceedingly grateful. MI
Hand, for all that you have done 70
us since that catastrophe. but | can
have any mystery about people Tha
is absurd. Did you leave the Jeann,
D'Arc when the others did-when
fell into the water?"
This time Hand consented to an
swer. mo. Mademoiselle; l did no
know you had fallen into the watel
until brought you ashore in tn,
morning"
Then how did you get off?"
We'll, 1t was rather queer The
men were all tired out working at the
pumps. and Monsieur Chatelard or
dered a seaman named Bazinet and
me to relieve two of them. He SAID
he would call us when the boats were
lowered, as the yacht was then get
ting pretty shaky. Bazinet and ]
worked long time; and when finally
we got on deck, thinking the Jeanne
DfArC Uaa paorlv dopa To- tho hoot.
had put OF. We heard some one
shouting. and Bazinet got frightened
and jumped for the boat. He thought
they'd wait for him. It was too dark
for me to see whether he made 1t or
not. i stayed on the yacht for some
time. not knowing anything better to
do" Hand allowed himself a faint
smile land at last, after a hunt, |
found that extra boat, slowed away
AFT. 1t was very small. and II leaked !;
probably thai was why they did not
think Of using 1t. But 1t was better
than nothing. I found some putty and
a tin bucket. and got food and a lot
OF other things. though the boat filed
30 fast that l had to throw most
everything out But l got ashore, as
you know. ! didn't even wait to see
the last Of the Jeanne D'Arc."
Agatha's eyes shone. Hands story
was perfectly simple and plausible.
But the other question was even more
important. She hesitated before re-
peating 1t, however. and rewarded
Hands unusual frankness with a
grateful look.
THAT was a night Of experience for
US ALL" she said. with a little sigh at
the memory Of it.
But tell me" Agatha looked I'D
at Hand. only to encounter
bis deaf and dumb expression.
III you will excuse me, Mademoi-
'elle." said Hand deferentially. 81
.hink Mr.. Hambleton's broth is burn
ng"
"Ah. well. very WE'LL" said Agatha.
And in spite Of herself she smiled.
Hand found Mrs. Stoddard installed
n James Hambleton's room. Doctor
rhayer and Aleck had gone, both leav-
ng word that they would return be-
ore night Mrs. Stoddard had
moothed James bed, folded down
he sheet with exactness, noted her
'rother's directions for treatment, and
at reading her Bible by the window.
dr. Hand stood for a moment. silent
y regarding first the patient, then his
lurse.
by the grace Of God. he will pull
through. l firmly believed" calculated
frs. Stoddard.
AS the first words came In that re-
onant deep voice, Hand thought that
he nurse was swearing, though pres
ntly he changed his mind.
Yes. ma'am." he replied with un-
'onted meekness. Then, T1l sleep
n hour or two. II that is agreeable to
GU, ma'am."
Perfectly" heartily responded
lrs. Stoddard, and Mr.. Hand disap-
cared like the mist before the sun.
1t was to be an afternoon of excite
lent. after all, though Agatha
lought that she would apply herself
the Strengthening out of much nee
ssary business. But after an hours
ork over letters at Parson Thayer's
esk, there occurred an ebullition be-
w which could be nothing less than |
le arrival OF Lizzie. Agatha's maid,
18th sundry articles of luggage. She |
as a small-minded but efficient city
ri. clever enough to keep her Job by
aking herself useful, and sophisti-
tied to the point of indecency. No
oman ought ever to have known so
UGH as Lizzie knew. Agatha was to
Ear how she had been relieved by
e telegram several days before. how
10 had nearly killed herself packing
such haste, how she thought she
as travelling to the ends of the earth.
ming thus to a region she had never
lard Of before.
Big Simon, who had been instructed
watch for Lizzie and bring her and
r luggage out, presently arrived
It'll the trunks, having sent the maid
ahead in the buggy with his son.
g Simon positively declined to carry
g two trunks to the second floor,
ying he thought they'd like It lust
well, or better. II he left them in
e hall downstairs. Lizzie was
grily hesitating whether to argue
tn him or use the persuasion of
e Of her mistress silver coins.
len Agatha interfered, and saved
r from making the mistake of her
e. 1t Is doubtful II she could have
ed in Ilion after having been guilty