The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1908-07-18

When the secretary withdrew Vim
cent burst into a flood of excited con
lecture. Are we in a girls boarding
school, or a lunatic asylum, or what?"
he demanded. 81 don't know what to
make of it. If it's an asylum then I'm
distinctly for lunaticsi They're the
most attractive lot I've ever seen, but
If they're all sisters why didn't Papa
and Mamma Wyckhoff find different
names for 'em? Six Agathas, and all
the honorable at that! It's absurd!
But it doesn't seem to bother them;
they call each other 'Ag. and 'Aggie,'
and Agatha just as if it were Rose.
or Gwen; or Maud What do you sup
pose it all means? My heads in a
whirli"
My dear fellow" 1 said, 81 have a
presentiment that we shall find out
what it all means when we join Mrs.
Armistead in the library" And we
did. AS 1 have said, my intuitions sell
dom fail me.
The library was a little room at
some distance from the dining hall It
was beautifully furnished. like the rest
of the house, and a big fireplace took
up one side of the room Before it
was massive armchair, worn and
old, as if the barcns of Wyckhoff for
ages back had sat in it. On the large
table were some legal-looking papers,
and as we entered Mrs Armistead
arose and placed her hand upon them.
The secretary closed the door and took
up her position beside her mistress,
while we stood before them, Ill at
nd
Gentlemen" began Mrs. Armistead
with great gravity, 81 am right, am l
not, in presuming that you are candi-
dates for the hand of the Honorable
Agatha Wyckh OFF,"
Yes, that's Just what she said: Can
didates for the hand of the Honorable
Agatha Wyckloff." 1t took my breath
away, and before l had time to speak
and set her right / heard Vincent calm
" assuring her that we were candi-
dates! AS ho had thus rashly com.
mitted himself l couldn't go back on
him, so 1 let him make all the other
answers that were necessary.
Then you wish to hear the will?"
continued Mrs. Armistead, and Vincent
assented.
Read the will" said Mrs. Arm stead
20 the secretary, and the young lady in
sray picked up one of the legallooAing
papers.
This is to certify" she began, and
read to the finish, while l held my
breath, for, when had heard the
whole Of that extraordinary document,
was filled with amazement and curl
n0f xxyjfh rtoiT
element. In brief, the provisions Of
this remarkable will ran thus:
Fletcher Boyd, stepfather of the
Honorable Agatha Wyckhof, had left
her his entire fortune of about 0,0O0,-
600, provided that she obey the condi-
tions of his will. Should she disregard
them the whole sum was to go to 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 FL 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 more
than six, girls from Is to 90 years of
age, each bearing the name of Agatha,
who would be willing to live with the
Honorable Agatha at her castle III
Shropshire near Wye, England, for
two years; in return for which they
were each to receive generous
monthly stipend, enjoy luxurious
lodgings and rich ARE, and to live a
life of idleness. with ample entertain
ment.
1t was further directed that, before
the girls left for England, some Eng
fish lady of rank or position be Sc
cured to dwell at Castle Wyckhoff in
She capacity of chapeTon, in consider
alton Of handsome salary. this lady
to be, preferably, Mrs. Armistead, sis
ter of the real Honorable Agatha's
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 SHOULD 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-
quaintance 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 to any of the Agathas who
was not the stepdaughter of Mr.. Boyd,
the will permitted her to marry him, if
she desired, but with the distinct I'm,
uerstanding that she was not the Hon.
orahle Agatha Wyckhoff. In that cass
Mrs. Axmistead was tOsescur@ aaotAk