The state herald., 1913-05-30

card from his pocketbook, and hand
ed leaf and card to Sallie. viii 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 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 a corner of
the upper floor. "She's In there-room
on the right" and SO she stalked on
to the kitchen.
Aleck Van Camp sought the region
indicated by Sallie's gaunt finger with
some misgivings; but he was pres
emily guided. further by clear voice.
Come in this way. Mr.. Van Camp.
II 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
fluttered in the breeze. Miss Redmond
was propped up with pillows on .
horsehatr-covered lounge. which stood
along the foot Of monstrous bed.
She was clothed in some sort of wool
wrapper. and over her feet was thrown
a faded travelling rug. BY her side
stood chair on which were writing
materials. Alexis 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? ask your
pardon for not coming downstairs to
see you, but 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 look Of surprise on his
face which amounted to actual
amazement Thus apparently startled
out of himself. he regarded Agatha
earnestly.
VIII 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
know. that l thought 1t must really
be She for a moment"
Agatha smiled family. "You look.
ed as II you had seen a ghost
Aleck gazed at her again, a long
scrutinizing look. 1T does make one
feel queer, you know"
But now that you are assured that
I'm not ghost. will you sit down!
That chair by the window. please
And can't tell you how glad I an
to see you: for james Hambleton
your cousin. II he is your cousin. II
J here In this house. and he is ill-very
III indeed"
: disappeared, in the series of sur
prises: but at Agatha's words a fiusl
OF pleasure and relief overspread hi
. face. He strobe quickly over towar,
Agatha's couch.
"oh. l say-old JIM thought.
was afraid"
Agatha was touched by the evi
l
became very gentle. Il fancy It Il
the same-James Hambleton o
Lynn" Aleck nodded and she wen
on: That's what he told me. tn,
: night we were wrecked
Agatha looked at Aleck. as II sh,
would discover whether he were trus,
worthy or not. before giving him NOR
of her story. Presently she contin
ued:
. Hes n very brave, a very wonderful
: man. He jumped overheard to saw,
mo. after fell from the ladder; an
then they left us and we swan ashore
: But long before we got there tainted
and he brought me In. all the way
: though he was nearly dead OF exhaut
ton himself. He had hemorrhag'
from overexertion. and afterward
chill And now there is fever"
Agatha's voice was trembling. Alec
watched her aB she told her tale, tn
flush OF happiness and JOY still ligh
ing up his fnce As she finished RI
iating the meager facts which to he
denoted 30 many heart.throbs. a SO
drowned her voice. As Aleck foilowe
the story. his own eyes wavered.
That's Jim, down TO the ground
Good old boyl" he said
There was n silence for minute
then he heard Agatha's voice. growl
little and faint. III he should die
Aleck. still standing by Agatha'i
couch. suddenly shook himself
Where is hel Can see him nowi'
Agatha got up slowly and led thu
way down the hall. pointing to dool
that stood ajar. II was evident tha
she wns wenk