Rocky Ford enterprise., 1908-10-09
CHAPTER Iv.-continued.

Left to myself, | was thinking out
my plan OF campaign as regarded
Agatha Third when slight noise in
the back Of the room attracted my
attention. looked up, startled. for 1t
was late. and the large. dimiy lighted
drawing room was rather an eerie
place, and saw over the back Of my
chair the slight form OF the secretary
approaching. Her hair was as neat
as 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. timidly. yet without hesita-
ton. ''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
The secretary leaned back against II
and folded her hands.
Il shall be quick" she said: but
want to ask you something" She
spoke In a low voice. but with perfect
composure. though she never lifted her
eyes. / caught myself wondering
whether she cast them down habituai.
ly. so 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 your" As she asked
me this direct question she looked me
full in the face. and as my eyes met
hers I mentally thanked her for her
mercy in not often permitting man to
gaze into them.
Yes" I said. recovering myself, Il
know him very we'll"
And he tells you things. doesn't
he?"
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?"
l was never more astounded in my
life. How did she know that Agatha
Fifth had told Vincent she loved him,
and how did II concern her! Perhaps,
however. she was acting under Mrs.
Armistead's orders. but II so she ought
to have said so.
That's question OF very personal
nature" ! said. and eyed her search
ingly: but don't think Lord Vincent
would mind. as long as you know SO
much about II, IL tell you that he
refused the young lady who was indis.
Greet enough to ask him to marry
her"
The secretary gave a sudden start,
and then. by what seemed to be con-
siderable effort, regained control Of
herself.
He refused her." | continued-for
the girl and her questions and her
genuine feeling interested meal
though she told him she was the real
Honorable Agatha" was so proud
OF Vincent for that that I was glad
to be able to tell someone about 1t.
''She said that-and he refused her"
repeated the girl In an awed tone.
How could he do 1t, how could he?"
Then II was true? She is really
the daughter Of Fletcher Boyd?" /
cried eagerly. At last had stumbled
upon the truth, for I knew the secre-
tary was In the secret.
But she only smiled at me. You
are a good man." she said. "a good
man"
The room was growing chilly asi
the fire was getting low. and as :S.e
spoke she slipped down from the high
chair and seated herself on a little
stool at my feet. stretching out her
slim hands toward the blaze 81 thank
you" she said. simply. and gazed into
he fire n moment, while gazed at her
slender young figure. her pink and
white skin. straight, little nose. and
wide. red mouth with its Du Maurier
,hin-and all In a moment ! felt my
snlt plying the poor little girl. Vim
~ WIS such an attractive young