Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1908-08-14

program ran something like this: Be-
fore breakfast he took . horseback
ride with Agatha Fifth; after break
fast he played golf with Agatha Firstsl
tennis with Agatha Third: and took
Agatha Second out sketching. In the
afternoon Agatha Fourth played
Chopin to him by the hour. Agaths
Sixth he had not approached. fearfno
me, as was natural In the evening
he played games with them all or re-
tired into the library with AEatha
Filth. who seemed TO have lost her
head over him completely.
This program he repeated day after
day with reckless lack OF generalship
and yet every now and then, to mx
surprise and disgust, ] caught HIM
deep in his unfortunate Irritation with
Mrs, Armlstead's secretary. II wasn't
fair to the poor girl. and told Vim
cent so plainly. We were sitting on
the low stone balustrade OF the castle
Vincent In riding clothes and look
ing as fine lad as any In old England.
He was waiting for Agatha Fifth to 80
riding with him. although II was later
than usual. all OF us having break
tasted For myself. I wore my tennis
things, which become mo greatly, r. l.
do say II, for intended TO play aI
set with those tennis fanatics, Agatha |
Second and Agatha Third. as the aris-t
tocratic Agatha Sixth was a late riser
and had not yet come downstairs.
mo, Vincent, said. 1T won't do.
| Fiirt with all the Agathas. II you must.
| but when ii comes to the secretary, let
| her alone. TO say nothing of what ID
| due her. think Of the time you're
wasting We hAve only six weeks
think Of it--six weeks to make try
| for twenty millions OF dollars
You forgot 70 say that wife goes
along with the filthy lucre,s he said.
and somehow felt uncomfortable.
| Vincent has faculty for making one
! feel uncomfortable. II makes me quite
| angry~-he's no better than the rest q
! ns. but he's 40 confoundedly innocent
about some things.
was going to explain TO him that
he needn't speak as II be thought that
werc the sort Of man to marry
| girl merely for her money-~when his
| face lighted and he spoke more ration
| ally
Cad" he said. what rare lark II
| would be TO toss up coin and tako q
| chance at 1t. Six 10 one only--you'd
have good show to win QUIT
How foolish you are, vlnceatl" I
responded Suppose You took
| chance at II. az you say. and Just pro-
posed to any one Of them. when you
had made 10 attempt 10 win her.
wouldn't she know you were fortune
hunting7 And II IL should happen to
be the real Agatha she'd refuse you
on that account because 1t would do
! feat the object Of her fathers win; ana
II II were not the real Agatha she'd
refuse you. too. because she'd know
she had no fortune to give you"
"of course said Vincent. signing,
you're right about that. But I tell
you, Archibald I'm not flirting with
Miss Marsh She's an awfully sensible
little girl. and 90 to her for advice
about the course I'm pursuing with tho
Agathas. ! need encouragement, you
know; it's all such 4 beastly mess.
One doesn't know with which one Of
the attractive young ladies to fall IA
love. It's 50 difficult to decide with
that twenty millions lowering IN the
background just think, Arch, what
the governor would say II his penniless
younger son should bring that amount
into the family. And the daughter Of
q baroness. too, II would be such a
match ! can Just see how tickled he'd
be to have his youngest so well pro-
yided for. The dear old governor"
And Vincent's eyes moistened. so ron
see" he went on hurriedIy. Miss
Marsh's attitude toward me il entirely
! friendly She Ia merely the confidante
| of my difficulties Of the heart, and her
| taste, | find. Is excellent"
1T Is also changeable," said dry
| ly, III the course you have been pur-
suing IL through advice OF hers
Vincent smiled. And then you
know" be went on. ignoring my
thrust, she's writing very interesting
book. the history OF the barons Of 4
wyckhofr and I'm helping her. I'm
awfly Interested in genealogy. "
know"
This was trne. Incongruous as II
may seem. vincent's one serious hob
by--T don't consider his paintdabblii
serious--which had to do with
search and scholarship, was his 10
for things ancient In general. ar
family trees in particular. IT be
been Baroness Wyckhons wish that
some review OF the lives OF the barons
OF that name should be made. since
the last one had died, and Mrs. Arm
istead had given her secretary this
work to do. I eyed Vincent searching
iy a. he spoke. but his face was so
thoroughly unconscious that my sus-
picions were dIsarmed completely.
Yes" he said there are a lot Of
very interesting old books In that