The Madison journal., 1913-07-05

den, were silent. Mrs. Stoddard was
thinking about the duties OF the night,
Agatha was swallowed up in the mis-
cries Of the last hour. Mrs. Stoddard
was the fret to rise. She was tipping
off on her fingers number OF items
which Agatha did not catch, saying
"Hm!" and "Yes!" to herself. Despite
her deep anxiety, Mrs. Stoddard was
in her element. She had nothing less
than genius in nursing. She was cheer
full, quick in emergencies, steady un-
der the excitement Of the sick-room, |
and faithful in small. as well as large, |
matters. Moreover. she excelled most
doctors in her ability to interpret
changes and symptoms. and in her In
genuity in dealing with them. Her two
days with James had given her an un-
derstanding of the case, and she was
ready with new devices for his relief
Agatha finished her tea and joined
Mrs. Stoddard as she stood looking
out into the twilight, seeing things
not visible to the outward eye.
Yes, that's It," she ended abruptly,
thinking aloud; then including Agatha
without any change Of tone. she went
on: Il think we'd better change our
plans a little I'm going upstairs now
to stay while your Mr.. Hand goes
| over to the house for me. There are
several things I want from home"
Agatha had no conception OF having
II hot
Stoddards. 80 completely was she
won by her tower-like strength
"You know, Mrs.. Stoddard." she
said earnestly, that ! want to be told
at once, n-if there 10 any change
81 know, child" the older woman re-
Piled. with a faraway look I'VE are
in the Lords hands. He taketh the
young In their might. and he healeth
them that are nigh unto death. We
can only wait his will"
Agatha WAS the product Of a diner
ent age and q different system OF
thought. But she was still young. and
the pressure Of the hour revived IN
her some ghost Of her Puritan ances-
trail faith, longing to become a real
ity In her heart again, II only for this
dire emergency. She turned, eager
but painfully embarrassed. to Mrs
Stoddard, OBTAINING her by a touch on
her arm.
But you said, Mrs. Stoddard," she
, implored, that the prayer OF faith
: shall heal the sick. And have been
, praying. too; l have tried to summon
. my faith. Do you believe that II
. counts-fer good?"
r Mrs. Stoddard's rapt gaze blessed
, Agatha. Her faith and courage were
of the type that rise according Il
q need. She drew nearer to her sanctu
a ary. to the fountain Of her faith, a.
q her earthly peril waxed. Her voic'
!. rang with confidence as she almos
/ chanted: mo striving toward God l
Q ever lost, dear child. He Is with u
Y In o3r sorrow, even as in our JOY.
q Her strong hand closed over Agatha
q for a moment, and then her steady
= slow steps sounded on the stairs.
r Agatha went into the parlor, who's
a windows opened upon the piazza. an
q from there wandered down the lo'
r steps to the lawn. 1t was CROWN
\. dusk. q still, comfortable evening
a. Over the lawn lay the indescribabl
r freshness Of a region surrounded D
q. many trees and acres of grass. Pre-
3. emily the old hound, Danny. cam
4 slowly from his kennel in the bac
e yard, and paced the grass besid
v. Agatha, looking up often with mela
n choly eyes into her face. Here was
"a living relic Of her mothers des
,e friend, carrying In his countenant
" his sorrow for his departed maste
sd Agatha longed to comfort him httl
M convey to him the thought that 81
as would love him and try to understaI
"a his nature, now that his rightful ms
ter was gone. She talked softly
b. him. calling him to her but not touc
"A ing him. Back and forth they pace
on the old dog following closer and clos
N to Agatha's heels.
,ot Back Of the house was path les
he ing diagonally across to the vi
mt which separated Parson Thaye
40. place from the Westinghouse. T
a dog seemed intent on following Il
path. Agatha humored him. climb
to the low stile and entered the chur'
al ward. As the hound leaped the st
MD after her, he wagged his tail and
ter peared happy. Agatha remember
10. that Sallie had told her. on the day
ov her arrival, of the dog. and how
,.h WAS accustomed to walk every e
n ming with his master. Doubtless II
for sometimes walked here, among
mn. silent company assembled In
h,a churchyard; and the minister's sill
friend was now having the pecul
mo- satisfaction Of doing again what
ind had once done with his master. IT
on the little acre Of the dead had
; . claim on life, and It's happiness
,od. throbbing hearts.
ver Agatha called the old dog to
nod again. This time he came near, rub
arv. hard against her dress, and, when
hin sat down on a fat tombstone, laid
tod. head comfortably in her lap, wage
min. his tail in satisfaction.
no Danny was a companion who did
ent, oostruct tnousn'' ou' enooui "eou
aan. and as Agatha sat resting on
,oid stone with Danny close by, In
tina quiet yard full of the noiseless gh'
he'd of the past, her thought went bacl
,e,p James. His unnatural eyes and !
less spirit haunted her. She thor
nen. of that other night on the water.