Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1908-08-07

dates's AS he had thus rashly COM
mitted himself | couldn't go back on
him. so let him make all the other
answers that were necessary
Then you wish to hear the will7-
ccntinued Mrs Arm istead. and Vincent
assentea
Read the Will" said Mrs. Armistead
to the secretary. and the young lady in
gray picked up one OF the legal-iooking
papers,
This Is to certify" she began, and
read TO the finish, while held my
breath, for, when | had heard the
whole OF that extraordinary document.
was filled with amazement and curl
osity. not unmixed with certain ex-
element. In brief, the provisions OF
this remarkable viii ran thus.
Fletcher Boyd. stepfather OF the
Honorable Agatha wyckhoff, had left
her his entire fortune of about $40. 600.
600. provided that she obey the condl-
tions of his will Should she disregard
them the whole sum was to so 10 the
endowment OF Presbyterian hos
pital at New Bedford. Mass. his native
town.
The will then went on TO say that.
wishing to protect the girl. who was not
yet II years of age. from fortune-hun-
tiers. her stepfather desired her, at
the completion OF her education, TO Sc
cure not less than three. nor moro
than six, girls from is to 20 years of
age. each bearing the name OF Agatha,
who would be willing to live with the
Honorable Agatha AZ her castle In
Shropshire near Wye, England, for
two years: In return for which they
| were each to receive generous
monthly stipend, enjoy luxurious
lodgings and rich fare. and to live a
life Of idleness. with ample entertain
| ment
II was further directed that. before
| the girls left for England. some Eng
| fish lady OF rank or position be se-
| cured to dwell at Castle Wyckhoff in
| the capacity Of chaperon, In consider
| alton of handsome salary. this lady
to be. preferably. Mrs. Armistead, sis
| mother. For the first year after Mr..
| Boyd's death the Honorable Agatha
was TO observe mourning by not GO
| Ing to London festivities: but during
this time she was to be permitted to
amuse herself and friends by enter
tanning at the castle any young men
OF whom the chaperon might approve.
Mrs. Armistead tshould she be the
| chaperon securely was likewise
charged to keep the castle supplied
with guests, the best young men that
England could boast, as her large ac-
| duaintance permitted her to do. Each
visitor In the role of sutton for the
hand OF the Honorable Agatha was
limited to six weeks stay at the castle.
as Mr.. Boyd considered that length Of
| time sufficient for him to find out
whether he loved any Of the Agathas
or not and the sutton was not to make
his declaration until the very last
day OF the six weeks allotted him, and.
| OF course. was limited TO one proposal.
In the event OF any OF the young men
| proposing 10 any of the Agathas who
| was not the stepdaughter of Mr.. Boyd,
the will permitted her to marry him. II
she desired, but with the distinct I'M
!, derstanding that she was not the Hon
| orable Agatha Wyckhoff. In that case
Mrs. Armistead was to secure another
| Agatha, and the girl who desired to
marry was to receive dowry amount
Ing 10 the full sum OF the monthly
stipends which she would have re-.
ceiyed had she remained at the castle
| for the entire two years. The same
provision for her companions was
marriage before the expiration of the
| time. II any young man proposed to
the real Agatha, ignorant Of her
Identity. and she accepted him, she
was directed by the viii to produce
and wear upon the third finger of her
left hand the betrothal ring Of her
mothers family, gold ring set with
a big cross OF emeralds, as proof Of her
| identity as the real Agatha. Mrs.
| Armistead and all the girls were to be
| bound by oath not to reveal the identi-
| ty OF the real Agatha. and each Of the
| latter was to be likewise addressed as
the Honorable Agatha Wyckhoff." by
| snitors and servants, In order to pre-
| serve the secret. This condition could
be carried out without fear of recogni-
ton by the servants. as the real
| Agatha had not been In England since
her early childhood. Thus her identi-
| ty could be easily concealed, and, by
this means, IL any proposal of mar.
| rage were made to her 1t would be
! from a man whose motives were not
mercenary, but purely those OF natural
| affection, which was the stepfather's
object In making the viii.
The will closed with the appoint.
ment Of executors and trustees and
then came the witnesses, the date, and
the place OF residence.
Then we can stay in thus bully old
place for six weeks" said Vincent.
"Hooray!" He's such kid!
The secretary smiled at his enthus.
L. n 4