The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1913-06-20
card from his pocketbook, and hand


perfectly clean, on her white apron,
took the card and bit of paper and de-
parted, shifting audibly. When she re-
turned, it was to say, with a 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 corner OF
the upper floor She's In there--room
on the right" and SO she stalked OIL
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
If 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
futtered In the breeze Miss Redmond
was propped up with pillows on
horsehair-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
half-written letter. Agatha sat up
as she greeted Aleck
II am glad to see you. Mr.. Van
Camp. Will you come in? ask your
pardon for not coming downstairs 10
; see you, but have been Ill. 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
3 face which amounted to actual
e amazement. Thus apparently startled
out Of himself. he regarded Agatha
Q earnestly.
l. "Will you come int" Agatha repeat
n ed at last.
Pardon me-" he said finally In his
precise drawl, "but l confess to being
.. startled. You-you bear such an ex
d traordinary resemblance to some ont
b I know, that l thought it must reall!
a be she, for a moment"
I'd Agatha smiled family. you look
ed as If you had seen ghost"
20 Aleck gazed at her again, Iona
m scrutinizing look. 1T does make on
III feel queer, you know"
70, But now that you are assured tina
he I'm not a ghost. will you sit down
That chair by the window, please
It. And l can't tell you how glad | al
ly to see you; for James Hambletol
ID. YOUR cousin, If he is your cousin.
ne here in this house. and he is ill-ver
ce ill indeed"
IN Alexis nonchalance had alread
10 disappeared. in the series OF su
lie prises: but at Agatha's words fius
IRE OF pleasure and relief overspread b
&c. face. He strobe quickly over towa
he Agatha's couch.
In "Oh, / say-old JIM thought,
ng was afraid"
aid Agatha was touched by the e
you dences Of his emotion, and her vol
an. became very gentle. Il fancy 1t
his tho same-James Hambleton
Ing Lynn" Aleck nodded and she we
lite, on: That's what he told me. t
vin- night we were wrecked"
Agatha looked at Aleck. as IT 8
"A would discover whether he were tru
j If worthy or not. before giving him mt
, is of her story. Presently she cont
ued:
lie. He's a very brave, very wonder
red man. He jumped overheard to st
er's, me, after fell from the ladder;
Of then they left us and we swan ashc
'ter- But long before we got there faint
IS a and he brought me in, all the "
ing though he was nearly dead OF exha
ton himself. He had hemorrh
as from overexertion. and afterward
blow chill. And now there is fever"
rself Agatha's voice was trembling. AL
be- watched her as she told her tale.
, re- flush Of happiness and Joy still III
than ing up his face, AS she finished
cred lating the meager facts which to
denoted so many heart-throbs,
ond? drowned her voice AS Aleck folio
the story, his own eyes wavered
sniff. That's jim, down to the gro'
she's Good old boy!" he said.
t 30 There was silence for min
and then he heard Agatha's voice, or
ways little and faint. IF he should die
was Aleck, still standing by Agat
mar couch. suddenly shook him
know where Is he? Can ! see him nc
keep Agatha got up slowly and led
I've way down the hall, pointing to
nteen that stood ajar. 1t was evident
Home she was weak.
?" GRO BE coNTINUED.)