Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1913-07-03

why. certainly, Of course I wm.-
said sallie Kingsbury. Only yoa
needn't take all that trouble. ! can
tell her what you want myself"
Sallie was one OF those persons who
regard the pen as the weapon OF last
resort, not to be used until necessity
compels. But Aleck continued writing
on a blank leaf of his notebook. The
message was this:
Can you give me any information
concerning my cousin, James HANDLE
ton, who was thought to be aboard the
Jeanne D,Arc?"
He tore the leaf out, extracted q
card from his pocketbook, and hand
ed leaf and card to SallIe. win you
please give those to Miss Redmond?"
Sallie wiped her hands, which were
perfectly clean, on her white apron,
took the card and bit of paper and de-
parted, shifting audibly. When she re-
turned, it was to say, with a slightly
more interested air, that Miss Red
mond wished to see him upstairs.
She stood at the bottom Of the wide
stairway and pointed to a corner of
the upper floor. She's in there-room
on the right" and SO she stalked of
to the kitchen.
Aleck Van Camp sought the regicA
indicated by Sallie's gnant finger with
some misgivings; but he wal pres
emily guided further by a clear voice.
Come in this way, Mr.. Van Camp,
If you pleased"
The voice led him to an open door,
before which he stood, looking into q
large, old-fashioned bedroom, from
whose windows the white curtains
futtered in the breeze. Miss Redmond
was propped up with pillows on a
horsehair-covered lounge, which stood
along the foot of a monstrous bed.
She was clothed in some sort of wool
wrapper, and over her feet was thrown
a faded travelling rug. By her side
stood a chair on which were writing
materials, Alexis note and card, and
a half-written letter, Agatha sat up
as she greeted Aleck.
Il am glad to see you, Mr.. Van
Camp. VIII you come in? I ask your
pardon for not coming downstairs tQt
see you, but I have been Ill, and am
not strong yet"
She was about to motion Aleck to
a chair, but stopped In the midst Of
her speech, arrested by his express
sion. Aleck stood rooted to the door
sill, with a look of surprise ON his
face which amounted to actual
amazement. Thus apparently startled
out of himself, he regarded Agatha
earnestly.
"Will you come in?" Agatha repeat
ed at last.
Pardon me-" he said finally in his
precise drawl, "but I confess to being
startled. You-you bear such an ex-
traordinary resemblance to some n
1 know, that I thought it must really
be she, for a moment"
Agatha smiled family. you look
ed as If you had seen a ghost"
Aleck gazed at her again, a long,
scrutinizing look. 1T does make one
feel queer, you know"
But now that you are assured that
I'm not a ghost, will you sit down?
That chair by the window, please.
And l can't tell you how glad l am
to see you; for James Hambleton,
your cousin, If he is your cousin, is
here in this house, and he is ill-very
ill indeed"
Alexis nonchalance' had already
disappeared, in the1 series of sur
prises; but at Agatha's words a flush
OF pleasure and relief %overspread his
face. He strobe quickly over toward
Agatha's couch.
"Oh, l say-old JIM thought,
was afraid"
Agatha was touched by the evi-
dences of his emotion, and her voice
became very gentle. Il fancy it Is
the same-James Hambleton of
Lynn" Aleck nodded and she went
on: That's what he told me, the
night we were wrecked"
Agatha looked at Aleck, as If she
would discover whether he were trust
worthy or not, before giving him more
of her story. Presently she contin-
ued:
He's a very brave, a very wonderful
man. He jumped overheard to save
me, after l fell from the ladder; and
then they left us and we swan ashore.
But long before we got there I tainted,
and he brought me in, all the way,
though he was nearly dead of exhaus-
ton himself. He had hemorrhage
from overexertion, and afterward a
chill. And now there is fever"
Agatha's voice was trembling. Aleck
watched her as she told her tale, the
flush of happiness and Joy still light
ing up his face. AS she finished re-
lating the meager facts which to her
denoted so many heart-throbs, a sob
drowned her voice. AS Aleck followed
the story, his own eyes wavered.
That's Jim, down to the ground.
Good old boy!" he said.
There was a silence for a minute,
then he heard Agatha's voice, grown
little and faint. IF he should die"
Aleck, still standing by Agatha's
couch. suddenly shook himself.
Where Is he? Can l see him now?"
Agatha got up slowly and led the
way down the hall, pointing to a door
that stood ajar. 1t was evident that
she was weak.
CTo BE c%oNTINUED.)
A Cry From the Depths.