Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1913-05-16

Nevertheless, the campers DID not
attempt It. Instead. they had made
} IRE Of driftwood on the sand out
reach Of the highest tide Near
The IRE they had spread hr boughs
and on this fragrant couch James was
lying. He was all unconscious. ap-
parently. of the primitive nature OF
bis surroundings, the sweetness OF
balSam bed. and the watchtul care
Of his two nurses.
Jim was in a bad way, II n could
trust the remarks of his male nurse.
who spoke to an invisible companion
rs he gathered chips and other bits
Of wood from the beach. He was q
b~usinesslike fellow with a
wholesome face, dressed only
In a gauEe shirt, trousers. and boots
without stockings; this lack, OF
course. was not Immediately appar>
ent, The tide had Just turned after
the ebb, and he went far down Q
the wet sand. sometimes climbing
the rocks farther along the shore
until he was out Of sight OF the
camp.
Returning from one Of these excur-
sions, which had been a bit longer
than he intended, he looked anxiously
toward the FIRE before depositing his
armful Of driftwood. The blaze had
died down. but a good bed Of Goals
remained: and upon this the young
man expertly built up a new fire, 1t
cracked and blazed into life. throw
ing a rudy glow over the shingle'
the rocks behind, and the figure lying
on the halsam couch. James face
was waxen in its paleness, save for
two fiery spots on his cheeks: and
as no lay he stirred constantly in a
feverish unrest. His bare feet were
nearest the fire: his blue wooilen
trousers and shirt were only partly
visible. being somewhat covered by
a mans tweed coat.
The fire lighted up, also, the figure
Of Agatha Redmond. She was kneel
ing at the farther end Of Jim's couch
laying q white cloth. which had beer
wet, over his temples. Hes Ions
dark hair was hanging Just as It had
dried. except that 1t vas tied together
low In the back with q string OF slip
perry seeweed. Her neck was bare
her feet also: her loose blouse hat
lost all semblance Of a m~ade-to-ordel
garment, but 1t still covered her
while a petticoat that had one beer
black satin hung In stiff. salt-driet
creases over her waist to a little be
low her knees. She had the well.se
head and good shoulders. with deel
chest, which makes any garb becom
ing; her face vas bonny, even now
clouded as 1t was with anxiety ant
fatigue. She greeted the young ma
eagerly on his return.
III yen could only find q little NOR
fresh water, l am sure It would helr
The milk was good. only he woul,
take so little. I think l shall hav
to let you 60 this evening to hunt 70
the farmhouse"
Yes, Mademoiselle," the youn
man replied. He had wanted to 6
earlier In the day. but the mar wa
too Ill and the woman too exhauste
to be left alone. He went on SPEAK
Ing slowly, after a pause. II can fin
the farmhouse, I am sure, only !
may take a little time. Following tn
cattle would have been the quickes
way: but I can find the cowpath soor
even as It is. II you wouldn't be ur
easy with me gone, Mademoiselle!
"Oh, no, we shall be all right now
till you al get back!" As she spoke
Agatha's eyes rested Questioningl
on the youth who, ever since she ha'
revived from her faint Of exhaustion
had leased her memory. He had seeI
them struggling in the sea, and ha'
swum out to her aid. she knew: an
after leaving her lying on q Shiny
seaweed-covered rock, he had gon
out again and brought In her CON
panion In a far worse condition thaI
herself. The young man, also. was
survivor of the Jeanne dare, havin
come from the disabled craft in tn
tiny rowboat that was now on tn
beach. More than this she did nc
know, yet something logged her men
DRY every now and then-somethin
that would not shape itself defnitel,
Indeed, she had been too much Ell
crossed In the serious condition c
her companion and the work necel
sary to make a camp, to spend an
thought on unimportant speculation
But now, as she listened to tn
youths respectful tones. It suddenl
came back to her. She looked at hi
with awe-struck eyes.
"Oh, now l know! You are tn
new chauffeur; queer name, Hand
Yes, I remember remember"
What you say is true. Mademo
seTle."
He stood before her. a stubborn
submissive look on his face. as a Sc
want might stand before his betraye
master. 1t was as II he had bee
waiting for that moment. waiting Il
her anger to fall on him. But Agath
was sp~eechless at her growing woI
der at the trick fate had played Their
Her steady gaze, serious and earneI
now, without a hint Of the laught'
that usually came so easily, dwelt Q