The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1913-02-12
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Spirit Of the Ancient Wood.


Agatha's first thought on awakening
late In the forenoon, was the memory
Of Sallie Kingsbury coaxing her to
bed and tucking her in, in the purple
light of the early morning. She re
membered the attention with pleasure
and gratitude. as another blessing
added to the greater one of James
Hambletou's turn toward recovery
Sallie's act was mute testimony that
Agatha was, in truth, heir to Hercu
les Thayer's estate, spiritual and mate
rial.
She summoned Lizzie, and while she
was dressing, laid out directions for
the day. During her short stay in
lion, Lizzie had been diligent enough
in gathering items of information, but
nevertheless she had remained oblivi-
Gus of any impending crisis during the
night. Her pompadour was marcelled
as accurately as if she were expect
ing a morning call from Mr.. Straker.
No rustlings of the wings of the
Angel of Death had disturbed her
sleep. In fact, Lizzie would have
winked knowingly If his visit had
been announced to her. Her sophisti-
cation had banished such supersti-
tons. She noticed, however, that
Agatha's candles had burned to their
sockets, and inquired If Miss Red
mond had been wakeful.
"Mr. Hambleton was very i'll. Every
body in the house was up till near
morning" replied Agatha rather
tartly.
ooh, what pity! Could have
done anything? never heard q
sound" cried Lizzie effusively.
mo, there was nothing you could
have DONE" said Agatha.
tits very bad for your voice, Miss
Redmond, staying up all night" went
on Lizzie solicitously. You're quite
pale this morning. And with your
western tour ahead of you'll"
Agatha let these adjurations go I'M
answered. 1t occurredsto Lizzie that
possibly she had allied herself with
mistress who was foolish enough to
ruin her public career by private fol-
lies, such as worrying about sick peo-
pie. Heaven, in Lizzie's eyes, was the
glare of publicity; and since she was
unable to shine in it herself, she loved
to be attached to somebody who could.
Her fidelity was based On Agatha's
celebrity as singer. She would have
preferred serving an actress who was
all the rage, but considered a popular
singer, who paid literally, as the next
best thing.
There was always enough common
sense in Lizzie's remarks to make
some impression, even on a person
capable of the folly Of mourning at a
death-bed. Agathas spirits, freshened
by hope and the sleep of health, rose
to buoyancy which was we'll able to
deal with practical questions. She
quickly formed plan for the day,
though she was wise enough to with
hold the scheme from the maid.
Agatha drank her coffee, ate spar
ingly of Sallie's toast, and, leaving
Lizzie with piece of sewing to do.
went first to James Hambleton's room.
After ten minutes or so, she slowly de-
scended the stairs and went out the
front way. She circled the garden
and came round to the open kitchen
door. Sallie was kneeling before her
oven, inspecting bread. Agatha watch
ed her while she tapped the bottom
Of the tin, held her face down close to
the loaf, and finally took the whole
baking out of the oven and tipped the
tins on the table.
That's the most delicious smell
that ever was!" said Agatha.
Sallie jumped up and pulled her
apron straight.
''Lor', Miss Redmond, how you
scared me! Couldn't you sleep any
longer?"
Il didn't want to; I'm as good as
new. Tell me, Sallie, where all the
people are. Mr.. Hand is in Mr.. Ham,
bleton's room, know, but where are
the others?"
81 guess they're all parceled round"
said Sallie with symptoms of shifting.
Il don't wanter complain, Miss Red
mond, but we amt had any such
houseful since Parson Thayer's last
met here, and not so many
then; only three ministers and two
wives, though. Of course. ministers
make more work. But wouldn't say
a word, Miss Redmond, about the
work, If 1t wasn't for that young
woman that puts on such airs coming
and getting your tray. l amt used to
that"
Sallie paused. like any good orator,
while her main thesis gained impress
siveness from silence. II was only
too evident that her feelings we're
hurt.
Agatha considered the matter, but
before replying came farther into the
kitchen and touched the tip of a fin
ger to one OF Sallie's loaves, lifting 1t
TO show its golden brown crust.
you're an expert at bread. Sallie,