Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1913-07-11

blushsA crimson at this point-"that
Is We. my aunt and !. were Mr.. Van
Camps guests on board the Sea Gull.
When he heard Of the wreck OF the
Jeanne D'Arc ne put In to Charles
port; though he has probably ex'
planned ell this to you. It was such .
relief and pleasure to Mr.. Van Camp
to ind his cousin. Ill a. he was: for
he had feared the worst"
Agatha had not heard Miss Reg
nier's name before. but she knew
vaguely that Nj. Van Camp had been
with . yachting party when he arrived
at Charlssport. Nsw that abe was
face to facs with Miss Rsynier. . keen
liking end interest . quick confidence.
rose In Aes heart for her.
Then perhaps you know Mr.. Ham
blston.- said Agatha impulsively.
The fever turned last night Were
you told thai As IL bstter?~
mo, I don't know him." said Nc
LAME, shaking her head. ~Neverthe-
less, I am heartily glad to hear that
he 10 better. Much better. they said
at the house"
They had been standing at the place
where Agatha had nrst discovered her
visitor, but now they turned back Into
the clearing.
"Cope and try the organ pipes
again." she beggsd. They walked
about the wood. singing frst one
strain and then another, testing the
curiously beautiful properties of the
footing Of friendliness. 1t was evident
that each was capable Of laying aside
Formally. when she wished to do 30
pine dome They YER quickly on q
and each was, at heart, frank and sin
cere. Melanie's talent for song wal
not small, yet she recognized In
Agatha q superior gift; while, to Aga
tina, Melanie Reynier seemed increas
insly mature, polished. full OF charm
They left the wood and wandered
back through the pasture and over the
stile, each learning many things In 70
gard to the other. They spoke Of the
place and its beauty. and Agatha told
Melanie Of the childhood memories
which, for the FIRST time, she had 10
vived in their living background.
How our thoughts change!" she
said at last. AS Q child. I lever felt
this farm to be lonely; It was the
most populous and entertaining place
in all the world. I much preferred
the wood to anything In the city. ]
love 1t now, too; but It seems the
essence Of solitude to me-"
THAT IL because you have been
where the passions and restlessnesa
Of men have conferred. One il never
the same after that"
strangely enough. the place now
belongs TO me-" went on Agatha. Par
son Thayer, the former owner and
resident, was my mothers guardian
and friend, and left the place to me
for her sake"
"Ah, that Is WE'LL" cried Melanie
1T will be your castle OF retreat
your Sans-Souci, for all your life.
envy you! 1t Is charming. Pastor
Parson, do you say?-Parson Thayer
was Q man Of judgment"
Yves, and q a Of strange and
dominating personality, in his way
Everything about the house speaks Of
him and his tastes. Even Danny here
follows me. l really believe, because
am beginning to appreciate his for
mer master"
Agatha stopped and patted the dogs
head. Youth and health. helped BY
the sympathy Of a friend. were work
ing wonders in Agatha She beamed
with happiness.
Come into the house." she begged
Melanie, and look at some of hi
books with ne. But first well fnt
sallie and get luncheon, and perhaps
Mr.. Van Camp will appear by thai
time. Poor man, he was quite wor1
out. Then you shall zee Parson Thay
er's books and flowers, II you will"
They strolled over the velvet law1
toward the front Of the house, where
the door and the long windows stool
open Down by the road, and close
to the lilac bushes that ianked thu
gateway. stood Q large silver-whits
automobile-evidentiy Miss Reynieri
conveyance. The driver Of the ma
chine had disappeared.
Il mustn't trespass on your kindness
for luncheon today. thank you" Me
LAME was saying; but I'll come agar
soon, II I may" Meantime she wal
moving slowly down the walk. Blu
Agatha would not have 1t SO. Sht
chung to this woman friend with al
unwonted eagerness, begging her Il
stay.
I'VE are quite alone, and We hay,
been 80 miserable over Mr.. HANDLE
toms illness" she pleaded quite II
logically. DO stay and cheer US up!'
And 30 Melanis was persuaded; cas-
lily. too, except for her conjunction
about abusing the hospitality of ,
household whose first care must neces
sarfiy be for the sick.
- want 70 stay" she cc,c frankly
The house brsathes the very air o