Rocky Ford enterprise., 1913-03-14
card from his pocketbook. and hand


ed leaf and card to Sallie. will 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. 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 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 region
indicated by Sallies gaunt finger with
some misgivings; but he was pres
emily guided further by a clear voice.
Come in this way. Mr.. Van Camp.
il you please!"
The voice led him to an open door,
before which he stood. looking into
| large, old-fashioned bedroom, from
whose windows the white curtains
| fiuttered in the breeze. Miss Redmond
was propped up with pillows on
| horsehair-covered lounge, which stood
along the foot of a monstrous bed.
l
wrapper, and over her feet was thrown
faded travelling rug. By her side
stood chair on which were writing
materials. Aleck's 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 to
see you. but l have been i'll. 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 confess to being
startled You-you bear such an ex-
traordinary resemblance to some one
l know. that l thought 1t must really
be she. for n moment"
| ABulHd SHlIeu ldiuliy- lOu iOOh-
ed as IL you had seen ghost"
Aleck gazed at her again, long.
scrutinizing look. ut 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 am
to see you; for James Hambleton.
your cousin. If he is your cousin. is
here in this house, and he is ill-very
i'll 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, 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 1t il
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 whetner ne were trust
worthy or not, before giving him more
, of her story. Presently she contin
ued:
: He's a very brave, very wonderful
man He jumped overheard to save
. me, after I fell from the ladder; ans
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
tion himself. He had hemorrhag,
J from overexertion. and afterward
: chill. And now there is fever"
Agatha's voice was trembling. Alec
: watched her as she told her tale, tn
flush of happiness and joy still ligh
| ing up his face. AS she finished RI
lating the meager facts which to he
denoted SO many heart-throbs, a SO
drowned her voice AS Aleck followe
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.
: couch. suddenly shook himself
Where is he? Can I see him now?'
Agatha got up slowly and led the
way down the hall. pointing to doc,
that stood ajar 1t was evident thai
she was weak.