Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1908-06-10

ana smoke some exceptionally fine
cigars, but before she left the room
the secretary came over to us and in a
low tone told us that, when we had
finished our smoke, Mrs Armistead de
sired that we should join her In the
library to discuss business. She-the
secretary-would come for us, IS we
would not know the way
We were amazed Business? What
business could we possibly have with
Mrs. Armistead? However, we told
the secretary that we would be happy
to join her mistress in the library in
about 20 minutes, although, as l said,
we hadn't the widest idea what we
could possibly have to discuss with
her.
When the secretary withdrew Vim
cent burst into flood Of excited con-
lecture. Are we in girls boarding
school, or q lunatic asylum, or what?'
he demanded. Il don't know what to
make of it. II It's an asylum then I'm
distinctly for lunatics! 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 EN-? 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
whirl!"E
My dear fellow" said, Il have
presentiment that we shall find out
what it all means when we join Mrs.
Armistead in the library And we
did. AS | have said, my intuitions sell
dom fail me-
The library was 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 a massive armchair, worn and
old, as IL the barons 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
ease and expecting we knew not what.
Gentlemen" began Mrs. Armistead
with great gravity, Il am right, am
not, In presuming that you are candi-
dates for the hand Of the Honorable
Agatha Wyckhon?"
Yes, that's just what she said: Can.
dIdates for the hand Of the Honorable
Agatha WyckhofI" 1t took my breath
away, and before had time to speak
and set her right heard Vincent calm
ly assuring her that we were candi-
dates! AS he had thus rashly COM
mitted himself l couldn't 80 back on
him, so / let him make all the other
answers that were necessary
Then you wish to hear the will?"
continued Mrs. Armigtead, and Vincent
assented. IN
Read the will said Mrs. Arm cad
to the secretary, and the young lady IN |
gray picked up one Of the iegsl Hooking
papers. s
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.
l was filled with amazement and curl
osity, not unmixed with d certain ex-
citement. In brief, the provisions OF
this remarkable will ran thus:
Fletcher Boyd, stepfather OF the
Honorable Agatha Wyckhoft, had left
her his entire fortune OF about $40, ,0OO,.
900. provided that she obey the condi-
tIons Of his will. Should she disregard
them the whole sum was to 90 to the
endowment Of q Presbyterian hos
pitaI at New Bedford, Mass. his native
town.
The will then went on to say that,
wishing to protect the Giri. who was not
yet 81 years Of age, from fOrtune-hun-
ters. her stepfAtheF desired her. a
the completion of her education, 10 se-
cure not less than three, nor more
than six, girls from is 70 10 years of
age. each bearing the name Of Agatha,
who would be willing y live with the
Honorable Agatha at her eaatle In
Shropshire near Wys, England, f1E
two years: in return for which they'll
were each to receive generous
stipend. enjoy luxurious
lodgings and rich fare. and to live 4
life Of idleness. with ample entertain.
ment.
II was further directed that, before
the girls left for England some Eng.
lish lady Of rank or position be se-
aurad to dwell ct Castle Wyckhoif 10