The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1908-08-15
Continued from last week.

AS we returned 1 did = great deal
Of thinking. So it was Agatha Second,
after all, who was the real Honorable
Agatha For certainly her possession
of the Wyckhoff ring, mentioned in
the will, was proof positive. Now that
1 thought of it, the suspicious circum-
stance OF Agatha Thirds seemingly in
voluntary rising when Vincent toasted
the Honorable Agatha, admitted OF
many explanations. At any rate,
whatever her reason for her action,
the presence of the Wyckhoff ring on
the neck of Agatha Second had proved
to me the falsity of that other clew
and the identity of our fair but mys-
terious hostess.
The next morning when she came
down to breakfast 1 inquired with
great concern as to the effects of the
accident of the day previous. She
replied most kindly that she felt very
me earnestly for my share in her res
cue. In fact, her gratitude was so
profuse as to make me uncomfortable,
and / protested vClubly that what
had done was nothing. Nevertheless,
from that day on Agatha Second chung
to me in manner that was almost
touching. Vincent to my surprise, in
stead of taking advantage of his part
as hero. seemed rather anxious to
avoid the girl, whereas, before our
mutual discovery, he had seemed to be
quite taken with her. Although his
conduct was a puzzle to me, yet 1 could
only rejoice that it was so, for it left
the field absolutely free to me, and l
felt as each day passed that now, in
deed, | was hotter on the trail of that
twenty millions than | had yet been
1t was the first Sunday after the &C
cident and the fourth of our stay. We
had hreakfasted at eight and were
sitting around aimlessly waiting until
1t was time to go to church.
When ii was finally time to get
ready my head ached from the sun,
for had been sitting without my hat
and | decided that would not go that
morning. though there was flattering
chorus of protests when 1 made this
announcement.
81 shall CO." said Vincent, positive
ly, Just as if anyone had disputed it
Il always go, don't l, Miss Marsh?" ap-
pealing to the secretary, who was pres
ent, but who, of course, had been rath-
er left out of the conversation.
YES" she answered, smiling at him
family. You always do-ever since
we've known you, that it. You're q
saint, Lord Wilferd." But she laughed
as she said it, and Vincent, for no rea-
son at all, looked pleased.
I'll
house to change their frocks, and Vim
cent. too, had to go and get himself
rugged out in all the sweetness of his
Bond street afternoon things.
Are you going to ride or walk?"
asked him as he came downstairs
ahead of the young ladies.
walk" he said. It's such q rip
ping day the girls thought they'd like
1t. The phaeton is coming for us after
church. What's the matter with you?
We shall miss you"
"Oh, just bit on my feed this
morning. But, Vincent, my boy, do
you realize that you're going to church
all alone by yourself with six girls, the
prettiest in England?"
Seven" corrected Vincent, un-
moved. The secretary is going with
us this morning"
I shook my head at him admiringly
You're a wonderful fellow" / told
him; II couldn't manage seven of them
at once to save my skin. It keeps me
busy enough when 1 take 'em one at
a time"
At this moment the girls trooped
downstairs They had their nraffiasf
gowns on and were fully aware Of the
admiration in the eyes of Vincent and
myself. And that admiration was per
fectly excusable, for the six Agathaa
were looking unusually lovely in their
lowered frocks. big white hats, and
the dainty parasols to-mateA the vida