Gunnison news-champion., 1908-10-09
CHAPTER iv.-Contirvea.

Left to myself. ! vas thinking out
my plan Of campaign as regarded
Agatha Third when a slight noise In
the back Of the room attracted my
attention. I looked up. startled. for 1t
wss late. and the large. dimly lighted
drawing room was rather an eerie
place. and saw over the back Of my
chsar the slight form OF the secretary
approaching. Her hair Was as neat
- usual and her dress was the same
simple gray gown she wore when
had seen her first.
Il beg your pardon. Mr.. Terhune."
she said. timidy, yet without hesita-
tion. am sorry to disturb you, but
would you have the goodness to give
me = little Of your time?"
Certainly" replied. rising.
though the hour is late. Won't you
be seated" and I found her q chair
The secretary leaned back against it
and folded her hands
Il shall be quick" she said: but
want TO ask you something" She
spoke In low voice, but with perfect
composure, though she never lifted her
eyes. ] caught myself wondering
whether she cast them down habitual-
ly. no that people might observe the
length Of her BLACK eyelashes.
Yes" said. to encourage her
OF course. you know Lord Vincent
very well. don't YOU" As she asked
me this direct question she looked me
IN hA nd
hers ] mentally thanked her for her
mercy in not often permitting man TO
Oase into them.
Yes ! said, recovering myself, Il
know him very we'll"
And he tells you things. doesn't
Ae,"
Most things" replied. wondering
at what she was driving.
Then could you tell me. please, II
If he accepted Miss Agatha-the
one with the hazel eyes that you call
Agatha Fifth-when she told him she
loved him"
] was never more astounded in my
life. How did she know that Agatha
Fifth had told Vincent she loved him.
=.
however. she was acting under Mrs.
Armistead's orders. but If so she ought
to have said so.
That's = question OF a very personal
nature" ] said, and eyed her search
ingly; but l don't think Lord Vincent
would mind, as long as you know SC
much about 1t. II ] tell you that he
rnA ha lad he.
Greet enough to ask him to marry
her"
The secretary gave 4 sudden start
ara then, by what seemed to be con
siderable effort regained control OF
herself
He refused her." continuation
the girl and her questions and her
genuine feeling interested meal
thouGh she told him she vas the real
Hoaorable Agatha" l was so proud
Of Vincent for that that | was glad
to - able to tell someone about It.
she said that-and he refused her p
repeated the girl in an awed tone
How could he do II. how could he7-
Then it was true, She is reall,
the daughter Of Fletcher Boyd,"
cried eagerly. At last l had stumbled
upon the truth. for l knew the secre
tAry Was in the secret
Bot she only smiled at me- "Yo,
are . good man." she said. "A goo<
man
The room vas growing chilly an<
the hre VAS getting low. and a. sh,
spohe she slipped down from he higl
chair and seated herself on . litfl,
stool At my feet. stretching out he
slim hands toward the blaze. Il thanl
you" she said. simply. and gaxed int
the IRE . moment. while l gazed At he
slender young Aeure. her pink N,
white skin. straight. little nose. an,
vide. red mouth with its Du Maurie
chin-and all in q moment / felt my
self pityine the poor little girl Win
cent was such an attractive younI