Gilpin observer., 1908-06-25
SYNOPSIS.

CHAPTER Lord wilfred Vincent
and Archibald Terhune are introduced at
the opening of the story. In England, the
latter relating the tale. The pair an
outing miss their train and seeking rec
reation meet the Honorable Agatha
Wyckhon." whose hand is much sought
after. because of her wealth. On visiting
she wyckhofr castle they are introduced
20 two other girls, both known as Agatha
Wyckhoff.
xr,--a-.'
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 said,
we hadn't the widest idea what we
could possibly have to discuss with
her
When the secretary withdrew Vim
cent burst into a flood Of excited con-
lecture. Are we in girls' boarding
school, or lunatic asylum, or WHAT"
he demanded. II don't know what to
make Of 1t. II it's an asylum then I'm
distinctly for lunatics, They're the
most attractive lot I've ever seen, but
II 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 1t doesn't seem to bother them;
they call each other 'Ag,' and 'Aggie,'
and Agatha Just as II 1t were Rose,
or Gwen. or Maud! What do you sup
pose 1t all means? My heads in q
whirl!"
MY dear fellow" / said, 'T have a
presentiment that we shall find out
what 1t 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 a 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 II
was a massive armchair, worn and
old, as II 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 Wyckhoff?"
Yes. that's Just what she said: Can.
didates for the hand OF the Honorable
Agatha Wyckhoff." II 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 go back on
him. SO | let him make all the other
answers that were necessary.
Then you wish to hear the will?"
continued Mrs. Armistead, and Vincent
assented.
Read the WILL" said Mrs. Armistead
to the secretary. and the young lady IN
gray picked up one Of the legal.looking
papers.
This is to certify" she began. and
read to the finish, while held my
breath. for. when I had heard the
whole OF that extraordinary document.
was filled with amazement and curl.
osity. not unmixed with a certain ex.
citement. In brief. the provisions Of
this remarkable will ran thus:
Fletcher Boyd. stepfather OF the
Honorable Agatha Wyckhoff, had left
her his entire fortune Of about $50. .O00,.
900. provided that she obey the condi.
tons Of his will. Should she disregard
them the whole sum was to go to the
endowment Of Presbyterian hos
pital at New Bedford, Mass, his native
town.
The will then went on to say that,
wishing to protect the girl, who was not
yet Il years Of age. from fortune-hun.
ters. her stepfather desired her, at
the completion Of her education, to Sc
cure not less than three, nor more
than six. girls from Is to 23 years Of
age, each bearing the name Of Agatha,
who would be willing to live with the
Honorable Agatha at her castle in
Shropshire near Wye. England. for
two years; in return for which they
were each to receive generous
monthly stipend. enjoy luxurious
lodgings and rich fare. and to live q
life Of idleness. with ample entertain
ment.
1t was further directed that, before
the girls left for England. some Eng
lish lady Of rank or position be Sc
cured to dwell at Castle Wyckhoff In
the capacity Of chaperon. in consider
alton OF handsome salary. this lady
to be. preferably, Mrs. Armistead, sis
ter OF the real Honorable Agatha's
mother. For the frst year after Mr..
Boyd's death the Honorable Agatha
was to observe mourning by not go
Ing to London festivities; but during
this time she was to be permitted to