The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1913-03-14

closely. "Ah. you have been good TO
u.s."
There is none good but one.-
quoted Mrs. Stoddard; nevertheless
her eyes were moist with feeling.
You'll stay on in the old rcd house?'
II don't know; probably not for
long But almost wish ! could
I've learned a sight by you, Aga
tina. 1 want you 10 know that" said
Susan, struggling with her ret.cence
and her impulae toward confession
"Oh, don't say that 10 me, Mrs.
stoddard. can only remember how
good you've been 10 as all
But Susan would not be denied Il
thought you were proud and vain and
and worldly Agatha And I treat
ed you harsh, ! know
"No. no Whatever you thought, rs
all past now. and you arc my friend
Youu help me to take care Of this
dear old place yes?"
The Lord will establish tho work
Of your hands. my child. She sud
denly turned with one Of her prac-
tical IDEAS 90 wouldn't let that new
city maH iH 10 see Mr. HamblateH jgst
vet, II We're you"
rs Mr. Straker trying 10 get TOO 10
see MIR. Hambletou?'
Knocked at the door twice this
morning, and | told him he couldn't
come in. Why not? said he. Danger
Of fever, said /. Then Mr. Ilambla-
ton asked me who was there, and |
said, i don't exactly know. but It's
either Miss Redmond's maids beau
or a press agent. and then Mr. Ham
bleton called out, as quick aud strong
as anybody, Go way, / think I've
got smallpox And he went of.
quicler'n wink, and hasn't been
back since" Mrs. Stoddard's grim old
face wrinkled in a humorous smile.
Il guess he'll get over his smallpox
scare, but Mr. Hambleton don't want
to see him, not yet. lie wants 70 see
you"
I'm going in TO see him soon, any
way" said Agatha.
But still she waited a little before
going in for her morning visit with
James. II meant so much to her! It
wasn't to be taken lightly and casu-
ally, but with a little pomp and cere-
mony Each day since the night Of
the crisis she had paid her morning
call and each day she had seen new
lights in Jimmy's eyes. In vain had
she been natter-offact fnd practical.
treating him as an invalid whose
vagaries should be iniulged even
though they we're Of no importance.
He would not accept her on those
terms. Back of his weakness had
been a strength, more and more per
ceptible each day, touching her with
ceives. 1t was the strength Of a
lovers spirit, looking out at her from
his eyes and speaking to her in every
infection of his voice. Moreover while
he stoutly and continuously denied
his fever-sickness he took no trouble
to conceal this other malady. AS soon
as he could speak distinctly he pro
claimed his spiritual madness, though
nobody but Agatha, and possibly Mrs.
Stoddard, quite understood
I'm not sick; don't be an idiot
Hand And give me a shave, for
Heavens sake. Anybody can get
knocked on the head-that's all the
matter with me. Give me some
clothes and you'll see" Even Hand
had to give in quickly. Jimmy's
residence passed all expectations. He
came up like a rubber ball; and now,
on a fine September morning, he was
getting shaved and clothed in one OF
Alexis suits Finally he was propped
up in an easy chair by Il window over
looking the towering elm tree and the
white church
"Er-Andy-c couldn't you get me
some kind of a tie? This soft shirt
business doesn't look very fit, does
it. without a tie?" coaxed Jim.
IF you ask me, say you look fine"
"Where'd you get all your good
clothes, I'd like TO know?" inquired
Jim sternIy, looking at Hands I'M
maculaIe linen.
Miss Sallie washes EN- after go
to bed in the morning confessed
Hand.
oh, she does, does she!" jeered
Jimmy Well, you'H nave to go to
bed at night, like other folks, now.
And then what'n you do?"
q guess Miss SallieT have to sit
up nights, modestly suggested Hand,
when a slipper struck him in the back.
Good shot! What d'you want nov
an opera hat?' he inquired derisiyely.
Andy" calculated jim, dismay set
Ting on his features. I've just
thought! Do you s'rose I'm paying
hotel bills all this time at The
Larue?"
Hand grinned unsympathetically
IF you engaged a room, sir, and didn't
give it up, [ believe it's the custom
"That1l do for now, Handy Andy, II
you cant get up any better answer
than that Lord, what's that!' Jim
suddenly exclaimed, as if he hadn't
been waiting, all ears, for that very
step in the passage.
Il guess likely tkatll be Miss Red
nond," replied the respectful Hand.
And so it was.
Agatha, fresh as the morning, stood
in the doorway for a cCntenplative
moment. before coming forward to
take Jims outstretched hand
ITO BE CONTINuEDD
He who boasts OF his descent
praises the deeds Of another Seneca
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G,aoHwo GI~crao