Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-06-23
CHAPTER V.

be far more likely to ridicule me than
to thank me for my effort in his be-
half.
Some time after this, on perfect
day, Agatha Third and II had spent
almost every hour since the dinner in
her company, may remark-had plan
ned a little excursion which would
keep us outdoors all day. We were
going on a picnic up the little river,
Have you ever tried a picnic for two?
Given the right companion and day
like that, I'd warrant it to cure any
attack Of the blues. Agatha Third had
assured me that the prettiest spot for
our luncheon was little island in the
center of the stream where the current
ran broad and deep, about three miles
below the castle.
The day was fair, the girl was fair
er, and the moments were full OF JOY to
me. We had crossed a little bridge
about a mile from the castle and were
proceeding up the left bank of the
river when a sudden turn of the stream
brought two others of our house party
into view. On the opposite bank was
Vincent in high boots, knickerbockers,
white shirt with sleeves rolled up, and
a farmers broad brimmed hat of straw.
He was busy over broken fishing rod
which he was trying to mend. In the
center of the stream, where the current
ran swift and dangerously deep, girl
stood on a large bowlder, fishing. 9th
er powders at intervals between the
one she was standing on and the shore
where Vincent was indicated the means
rious position. recognized the girl as
Agatha Second, and smiled pityingly as
| thought of poor Vincent, invariably
wasting his time with the wrong
Agatha
"Hullo!" they cried. cheerfully, and
we waved our hands and asked them
what luck they'd had. This isn't al
ways a safe question to ask fisher
man, but notice that people who are
not fishing themselves invariably find
great satisfaction in asking it. Vim
cent said he hadn't caught any fish,
and asked if I'd landed mine yet. Just
like his impudence? He'd say any
thing if he thought it was funny, no
matter how il might annoy other peo-
pie.
Just as l was thinking of some re-
tort polite enough to utter aloud,
Agatha Seconds rod began to bend
and jerk. and Immediately there was
so much action going on that in my
excitement l forgot what I was about
to say. am fisherman of some skill
myself Well the pole began to bend
and the Agatha on the rock began to
scream. and Vincent shouted direc-
tions from the bank-"Easy there,
easy" he entreated her: give him
more line. Aggie, more line"
II can't" she screamed at the top
Of her voice: something's caught. and
he pulls so"
THE reel" l shouted. jumping up
and down. THE reel! Press the knob
and let her go!"
| knew in a moment the sort she
had. 1t was just like mine, a patent
one with a spring reel-mine often
stuck that way. All this time the fish
was leaping about, sometimes jumping
out Of the water so that we could see
him, and he was a big fellow.
Let me alone; l can do it myself,
cried the girl, as Vincent started to
help her. but even as she spoke her
trim little foot slipped on the wet
stone. and. losing her balance COM
pletely. she fell backward into the deep
water, while the rod disappeared up
stream.
In moment Vincent was running al
top speed along the bank till he came
IL a little point of land near which the
drowning girl must pass. AS she APP
preached he leaped into the water and
striking diagonally upstream, seized
her by her clothing, and fighting his
way back, safely gained the point OF
land Meantime | had run up the riv-
er toward q boat that / had observed
near the bank. Jumping in l SOL
reached the spot where lay the uncon-
sciouS form of Agatha Second. Al
this time was dimly aware of the fact
that Agatha Third had never stopped
screaming and was now running VI
and down on the opposite bank sob
hing and wringing her hands. When
reached Wilfred he was anXiouslN
bending over the girl. but apparently
without the slightest idea of what to do
Immediately fell to chatting hel
hands and resOrting to the other we'll
known expedients for reviving the
drowned, and to enable her to breathe
more freely removed the tight fittins
dickey of her sailor suit. 1t was no.
long before she began To regain con
sciOuSnesS. and ii was at this mo-
ment that | made a most amazing dis.
covery. for around the neck of the gir
| saw a little silver chain. and on i
was strung a heavy gold ring set witt
a large cross of old fashioned emeralds
| called to Vincent. and as I pointed
al lIlt llldS llllCSllN anu NCllltliN piNN'
OF jewelry we both gazed at it, speech
less with surprise at discovering il
such a manner the secret of the Hon
orable Agatha's identity. Before sh'
had quite regained her consciousness
readjusted her dickey. and when sh'
was able to stand we wrapped her il
our coats and carried her to the boat
There wasn't room in it for more thai
two. So | made Vincent get IN with he
and row back to the castle. So the!
left US. and Agatha Third and l. toe
thoroughly upset by the accident t
wish to carry through our picnic. fol
lowed them back, walking one on eacl
side Of the stream until we reached
the bridge, where we joined forces.
As we returned l did great dea
of thinking. So it was Agatha Second
after all. who was the real Honorabl
Agatha. For certainly her possession
OF the Wyckhofr ring. mentioned In tn