Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1913-03-15

card from his pochetbook. ana hand
ed leaf and card to Sallie. "Will you
please give those to Miss Redmond"
Sallle wiped her hands. which were
perfectly clean, on her white apron.
took the card and bit of paper and de-
parted. smiling audibly. When she re-
turned. 1t 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 on
to the kitchen.
Aleck Van Camp sought the region
indicated by Sallie's gaunt finger with
some misgivings; but he was 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
large, old-fashioned bedroom, from
whose windows the white curtains
fluttered 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
faded travelling rug. By her side
stood a chair on which were writing
materials, Alexis note and card. and
half-written letter. Agatha sat up
as she greeted Aleck.
81 am glad to see you. Mr.. Van
Camp Will you come in? ask your
pardon for not coming downstairs to
see you, but have been i'll. and am
not strong yet"
She was about to motion Aleck to
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
| PICCioC dldWl, pul COhlCoo " OCih6
startled. You-you bear such an ex-
traordinary resemblance to some one
I know. that I thought it must really
be she, for a moment"
Agatha smiled family. You look.
ed as II you had seen a ghost"
Aleck gazed at her again. long.
scrutinizing look. 1T does make one
feel queer, you know"
But now that you are assured that
I'm not ghost. will you sit down?
That chair by the window, please.
And / can't tell you how glad am
to see you; for James Hambleton,
your cousin, II he Is your cousin, Is
here In this house, and he is ill-very
Ill indeed"
Alexis nonchalance had already
disappeared, in the series OF sur.
prises; but at Agatha's words flush
OF pleasure and relief overspread his
face. He strobe quickly over toward
Agatha's couch
"Oh, 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 II she
would discover whether he were trust
worthy or not, before giving him more
of her story. Presently she contin
ued:
Hes a very brave, very wonderful
man. He jumped overheard to save
me, after fell from the ladder; and
then they left US and we swan ashore,
But long before we got there faiRted,
and he brought me in, all the way,
though he was nearly dead of exhaus.
ton himself He had hemorrhage
from overexertion, and afterward q
chill And now there Is fever"
Agatha's voice was trembling. Aleck
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, 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 nowf'
Agatha got up slowly and led the
way down the hail. pointing to door
that stood ajar. 1t was evident that