Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-06-16
CHAPTER III.

grined at Mrs. Armistead's answer,
rose to my feet and prepared to join
the young ladies in the drawing room
l had been so interested in discussing
Fletcher Boyd's will with Mrs. Arm
istead that l had completely forgotten
Vincent. At first thought he had al
ready left the room, but in a moment
l heard him laugh and discovered him
actually sitting on the floor before the
fire, playing a species Of mumble-the
peg with the secretary. Extremely un-
becoming conduct for both of them, |
thought, and Mrs. Armlstead thought
so, too. for she spoke sharply TO the
secretary, who left the room with red
dened cheeks Vincent, however, was
unabashed, and, after holding the door
open for her he followed me to the
drawing room, without needing my re-
monstrances. He seldom does heed
them, may say.
II was on the third day Of our stay
when Vincent and had begun to feel
thoroughly at home at Castle Wyck-
hoff, and when Vincent had begun to
feel more than thoroughly at home
with Agatha First, that made an i'm
portant discovery. The morning was
rainy, and after breakfast there was
nothing to do but to read-that Is, un-
til Agatha Sixth came down stairs.
had found her to be an unusually WELL
educated girl and had given her all my
attention during the three days l have
mentioned. So l wandered into the IL
brary and began to explore the tall
bookshelVes to find something that in
terested me. And l found 1t, though
IL wasn't exactly for what l had been
looking. On the lowest self l discov-
cred three heavy but new looking al
buns. From idle curiosity to look at
what supposed were pictures of the
dead barons Of Wyckhoff l busted the
first Of the big books and began to turn
the leaves. l found 1t full Of photo
graphic reproductions of oil paintings
depicting the ladies Of the family, and
on the last page Of the book came up
on a picture which thoroughly startled
me. 1t was copy Of a full-length
protrait of the last Baroness Wyckhoff,
whose second husband had been Fletch-
er Boyd. The picture showed a slender
little lady, with straight dark hair, an
aquiline nose, and a dark complexion,
the living image Of Agatha Sixth!
Stunned by the Importance Of my
find l closed the book, put back the
albums where l had found them and
stole from the room. l had a guilty
feeling, almost as If I had done some
thing wrong, yet it had been an acci-
dent for which no one could really
blame me. Full of excitement, l went
to find Vincent to acquaint him with
my good news, and discovered him in
the morning room playing chess with
Agatha First or rather, he was show
ing her how to play, for he was hang
ing over the back of her chair and
moving her hand with his hand when
ever it was her move.
I coughed as I entered, and frowned.
l am always frowning at Vincent these
days. it seems to me, but l really have
to. He needs q little restraint.
Good morning, Miss Agatha" l
said. pleasantly; how does the game
progress? Is Lord Wilfred an efficient
teacher"
Very" replied the young lady, short
ly, and both of them looked at me
,,.;,L c,,ob ;neolapt hostility tbof 7 uaC
obliged to leave the room, murmuring
apologies for intruding.
l was rather vexed with Vincent
about this; he doesn't show me quite
boy of his age. Not that l am old, or
anywhere near middle age, but still
l am Vincent's senior, and this Incl
dent determined me not TO communi-
cate my discovery to him. Why should
l tell him and put a formidable rival
into the field? Not that I'm afraid Of
Vincent exactly, for l have always
found that when the girls tire Of his
fun. they are very glad to fall back
upon an experienced man like myself,
who has seen the world and is ac-
quainted with Shakespeare and the
musical glasses. Nevertheless, it
seemed a pity to invite Vincent to en-
ter the lists against me. for l had fully
made up my mind to win Agatha
Sixth. Not that | am mercenary-nOt
at all But 1T had been some time
since | seriously considered marrying,
and. after all. thought, why not con-
slider it now, and, as long as | was Sc
lecting a wife. why not pick out one
beautiful and accomplished. And
why not" l asked myself, while | am
about it, make it that one Of the
Agathas. whose title was the honor
able, with twenty millions" Twenty
millions. when you think of it, ought
To keep a careful man comfortable fol
life. and Vincent was smart enough
let him look out for himself. And thus
| decided not tell him of my discovery
We spent the evening of that day
each according To his fanCy-Vincent
playing tag and bind-man's buff with
four Of the girls, while the fifth played
on the piano. and in the next room
reading Edmund Burke'S speeches
aloud. while my adored Agatha Sixth
did fancy work. She really did every
thing very we'll. Finally Vincent and
took our leave. and when we were ir
our own rooms and Vincent haG
wrapped himself in my favorite bath
robe and appropriated my armchair,
was almost tempted to tell him al
about it. Just as l was about to begir
he spoke.
Arch, my boy" he said-a disre-
spectful method Of address, by-the-w
but l let him prOceed-"Arch. my boy
do you know l like that girl, Agatha
First? She's a true sport. and that
plump little one with the blue eyes
is pace setter"
Agatha Third. YOU mean" | asked
l was not aware that you had got any
further than our introduction with
her"
"Oh. yes" said Vincent as though
il were the easiest thing in the world;
..J told fortunes with her all after