The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1913-01-10

| lDhb tihA Agatha thouBhL james lhuhl
have gene TO sleep again. He thought
likewise Of her. It appeared; for when
he next spoke It was In a careful
whisper:
are you still awake, Agatha Red
Inond2"
YES, indeed quite, DO you want
anything?"
Yes, a number Of things, First,
are you quite recovered from the
trouble-that nights awful troubleY'
He seemed TO be wholly lost as TO
time. did you come of without any
serious injury? Do you look like your
SELF strong and rosy-cheeked again.
Agatha replied heartily 10 this and
her answer appeared TO satisfy James
for the moment. Though" she
added, here In the dark, who can
tell whether | have rosy checks or
not?"
"True!" sighed James. but his sigh
was not an unhappy one. Presently
he began once more: 81 want 20
know too, II you weren't surprised
that / knew your name?"
We'll. yes a little, when I had time
to think about II. How did you know
lt?"
James laughed meant to keep
II a secret. always; but I guess I'll
tell after ADJUST you. got It from
the program, that Sunday, you know. b"
"Ah, yes, I understand" She
didn't quite understand at first; for
there had been other Sundays and
other songs But she could not weary
him now with questions.
As they lay there the slow monoto-
nous susurrus OF the sea made a deep
accompaniment to their words. II
was near, and yet immeasurably far.
filling the universe with It's soft but
insistent sound and echoes of sound.
At the back OF her mind, Agatha
heard it always, low, threatening, and
strong; but on the surface OF her
thoughts, she was trying to decide
what she ought to do She was
thinking whether she might question
her companion a little concerning
himself, when he answered her in
part, OF his own accord
you couldn't know who ! am, Of
course: James Hambleton, OF Lynn
Jim, Jimmy, Jimsy Bud-Tm called
most anything. But ] wanted to tell
yoI-in fact. that's what I walked up
expressly for-I wanted to tell you"
He paused so long, that Agatha
leaned over, trying to see his face.
The violence Of the chill had passed.
His eyes we're wide open, his face
alarmingly pale. She felt a sudden
qualm of pain, lest Illness and eX-
haustion had wrought havoc in his
frame deeper than she knew. But as
she bent over him, his features light
sion full OF happiness and peace. He
lifted a hand, feebly. and she took
It in both her own. She felt that
thus, hand in hand they were nearer;
that thus she could better be of help
to him.
81 wanted to tell you" he began
again, that whatever happens, I'm
glad did It,"
Did what, dear friend?" ques-
toned Agatha, thinking in her heart |
that the fever had set his wits to
wandering
Glad ! followed the Face and the |
Voice" he answered feebly Agatha
watched him closely, torn with ankle
ty. She couldn't bear to see him
suffer-this man who had so suddenly .
become a friend who had been so
brave and unselfish for her sake, who
had been so cheerful throughout their
night of trouble.
81 told old Aleck," James went on,
that I'd have to jump the fence; but
that was ages ago. I've been har-
messed down so long that I thought
I'd gone to sleep, sure enough" Aga
.ha thought certainly that now he
was delirious, but she had no heart
% stop his gentle earnestness. He
vent on: "But you woke me up.
And I wouldn't have missed this last
'un, not for anything Twas a great
light, that night on the water, with
,ou; and whatever happens, I shall
llways think that worth living for;
res, well worth living for"
James voice died away into inco-
ference and at last into silence.
agatha, holding his hands in hers,
him as he sank away from
Ter into some realm whittier she
ould not follow. Either his hour of
anity and calmness had passed, and
ever had taken hold upon his sys-
EN-; or fatigue, mental and physical,
ad overpowered him once more.
she dropped his hand gen
ly, looked to the coverings of his .
ouch, and settled herself down again ,
, rest.
But no more sleep came to her
yes that night. She thought over all
hat James had said, remembering =
is words vividly. Then her thoughts ,
ent back over the years, recalling i
he knew not what irrelevant mat q
ITS from the past. Perhaps by some :
nderlying law of association, there l.
lme to her mind, also, the words of ;,
lie song she had sung on the Sunday h
hich James had referred to- h
free of my pain, free of my burden
Of sorrow,
At last | shall see thee"