The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1913-05-24

the fire they had spread fir boughs
and on this fragrant couch James was
lying. He was all unconscious, ap-
parently, Of the primitive nature OF
his surroundings, the sweetness OF
his balsam bed. and the watchful care
OF his two nurses.
Jim was in a bad way, IL one could
trust the remarks of his male nurse
who spoke to an invisible companion
as he gathered chips and other bits
of wood from the beach. He was a
young, businesslike fellow with a
clean, wholesome face. dressed only
IN gauze shirt, trousers, and boots
without stockings; this lack. of
course, was not Immediately appar-
ent. The tide had Just turned after
the ebb. and he went far down over
the wet sand, sometimes climbing
over the rocks farther along the shore
until he was out of sight of the
camp.
Returning from one Of these excur-
sions, which had been a bit longer
than he intended. he looked anxiously
toward the fire before depositing his
armful Of driftwood The blaze had
died down. but a good bed OF Goals
remained and upon this the young
man expertly built up a new fire. 1t
cracked and blazed into life. throw
ing a rudy glow over the shingle,
the rocks behind, and the figure lying
on the balsam couch. James face
was waxen IN its paleness, save for
two fiery spots on his cheeks; and
as he lay he stirred constantly In a
feverish unrest His bare feet were
nearest the fire; his blue woollen
trousers and shirt were only partly
visible. being somewhat covered by
mans tweed coat
The fire lighted up, also, the figure
OF Agatha Redmond She was kneel-
ing at the farther end of Jim's couch
laying a white cloth, which had been
wet, over his temples. Her long
dark hair was hanging just as 1t had
dried, except that it was tied together
low in the back with a string OF slip
perry seaweed. Her neck was bare.
her feet also; her loose blouse had
lost all semblance Of a made-to-order
garment, but 1t still covered her;
while a petticoat that had once been
black satin hung in stiff. salt-dried
creases over her waist to little be-
low her knees. She had the well-set
hnad ond Unnd chnt1Ilorg
chest, which makes any garb becom-
ing: her face was bonny, even now,
clouded as It was with anxiety and
fatigue. She greeted the young man
eagerly or his return
IF yen could only find a little more
fresh water. / am sure It would help.
The milk was good, only he would
take so little. l think | shall have
to let you go this evening to hunt for
the farmhouse"
Yes, Mademoiselle," the young
man replied. He had wanted to go
earlier in the day, but the man was
too i'll and the woman too exhausted
to be left alone He went on speak
ms oAtCi q pduoC Odn lluu
the farmhouse, l am sure, only 1t
may take little time Following the
cattle would have been the quickest
way: but can find the cowpath soon,
even as it is. If you wouldn't be I'M
easy with me gone. Mademoiselle!
"Oh, no. we shall be all right now.
till you can get back" AS she spoke.
Agatha's eyes rested questioningly
on the youth who, ever since she had
revived from her faint of exhaustion,
had teased her memory. He had seen
them struggling in the sea, and had
swum out to her aid, she knew; and
after leaving her lying on a Shiny,
rock. he had gone
out again and brought in her COM
panion in a far worse condition than
herself. The young man. also, was a
survivor of the Jeanne Dare. having
come from the disabled craft in the
tiny rowboat that was now on the
beach More than this she did not
know. yet something logged her mem
DRY every now and then-something
that would not shape itself definitely.
Indeed, she had been too much en-
crossed in the serious condition Of
her companion and the work neces-
sary to make a camp, to spend any
thought on unimportant speculations.
But now, as she listened to the
youths respectful tones, 1t suddenly
came back to her. She looked at him
with awe-struck eyes.
"Oh, now l know! You are the
new chauffeur: queer name, Hand!'
Yes, | remember remember"
What you say is true, Mademoi-
selle."
He stood before her, a stubbornly
submissive look on his face, as a ser
want might stand before his betrayed
master. II was as IL he had been
waiting for that moment, waiting for
her anger to fall on him. But Agatha
was speechless at her growing won
der at the trick fate had played them.
Her steady gaze, serious and earnest
now, without hint Of the laughter
that usually came so easily. dwelt on
the young mans eyes for a moment,
then she turned away as IL she were
giving up a puzzling question. She
looked at James, whose stubbly-
bearded face was now quiet against
its green pillow, as II seeking a solu-
tion there; but she had to fall hack.