The Rice belt journal., 1913-07-25

kuS6IS ou UOako SAS wv VI
When he heard OF the wreck OF the n,
Jeanne Dare We put In to Charles -
,ort; though he has probably eA- -,
,lained all this to you. 1t was such u :,
'elief and pleasure to Mr.. Van camp a
% find his cousin, Ill as he was; TOT :,
ne had feared the worst"
Agatha had not heard Miss fey- -
nier's name before, but she kne" 9
vaguely that Mr.. Van Camp had been
with a yachting party when he arrived
at Charlesport. Now that she was
face to face with Miss Reynier, Keen
liking and interest, quick confidence
rose in her heart for her.
"Then perhaps you know Mr.. Ham
bleton," said Agatha impulslyeiy'
"The fever turned last night. were
you told that he is better?'
"No, don't know him." said Me
LAME, shaking her head. "Neverthe-
less, am heartily glad to hear ina,
he is better. Much better. they saia
at the house."
They had been standing at lhe piaoo
where Agatha had first discovered her
visitor but now they turned BACK ih'o
the clearing.
Come and try the organ pipes
again." she begged. They Waikeu
about the wood, singing first one
strain and then another. testing the
curiously beautiful properties OF the
footing of friendliness. It was evioen'
that each was capable Of laying asioe
formality, when she wished to 10 3d.
pine dome. They were quickly on
and each was. at heart, frank and sin
cere, Melanies talent for song was
not small, yet she recognized III
Agatha a superior gift; while, to Aga
tina, Melanie Reynier seemed inefeas-
ingly mature, polished. full OF charm.
They left the wood and wandered
back through the pasture and over the
! stile, each learning many things in re-
gard to the other. They spoke OF tne
!. nlace and its beauty, and Agatha toio
y Melanie OF the childhood memories
which. for the first time, she had re-
a vived in their living background.
How our thoughts change! she
9 said at last. "As child. ] never fell
= this farm to be lonely; 1t was the
r. most populous and entertaining place
), IN all the world. I much preferred
- tho wood to anything in the city.
:. love It now, too; but 1t seems thu
essence of solitude to me-
et "That is because you have oee'
where the passions and restlessnes
~ men have centered. One Is neve
"a, the same after that"
,e strangely enough. the place no'
~ belongs to me-" went on Agatha PA
N son Thayer. the former owner an
resident, was my mothers guardla
;. and friend. and left the place to m
he for her sake
Irt "Ah that is Welt" cried Melani
.1t will be your castle OF retrea
~ vour sans-Souci, for all your Life.
nd envy YOU! 1t is charming. Pastor
ha parson do you say?-Parson Thay'
rd was man of judgment
eyes and man of strange al
on dominating personality, In his wa
hv Nverything about the house speaks
- him and his tastes. Even Danny ne
follows me, really believe, becau
nd. am beginning to appreciate MS u
,,a NOR master.
nv. AGATHA stopped and patted the dol
an. head Youth and health helpea
~ tho sympathy Of friend, were wol
ura inc wonders in Agatha She beam
the with happiness.
ght Come into the house" she begl
g Me,anie land look at some OF
the hooks with me. But first wen
to sallie and get luncheon. and perm,
mo. M Van Camp viii appear by Z
old. time. Poor man. he was quite W W
ont Then you shall see Parson I'D
non er,a hooks and flowers. IL you Will.
y I ! = They strolled over the velvet Ia
! .au.ra the front Of the house. WIN
o,ca tha door and the long windows o.
"A oran Down by the road, ana CT
ain. to the lilac bushes that fanked
aisa gateway stood large silver-W
. ~ seutomobile-evidently Miss Reyni
conveyance. The driver OF the
4. / chine had disappeared.
,ant ~ mustn't trespass on your kindl
and ,or luncheon today. thank you,
said ,ar;a was saying; but I'll come a
Ienly coon II | may" Meantime she
,irht moving slowly down the walk
that AGATHA would not have 1t so.
tess. clung to this woman friend witt
she unwonted eagerness. begging ne
,lace. stay.
.We are quite alone, and we
Have been SO miserable over Mr. Har
No? toms illness" she pleaded quite
70 OF logically. "Do stay and cheer us
Red. And 80 Melanie was persuaded;
from ily. too, except for her compunc
70 me about abusing the hospitality q
vn,pr household whose first care must .
ng at sarily be for the sick
md to .I want to stay. she said ira
eIanis "The house breathes the very