The Irish standard., 1908-07-18

1T the magnificent and telltale piece
of jewelry we both gazed at it,
speechless with surprise at discover
ing in such manner the secret of the
Honorable Agatha's identity. Before
she had quite regained her conscious
ness I readjusted her dickey, and
when she was able to stand we
wrapped her in our coats and carried
her to the boat. There wasn't room
in it for more than two, so 1 made
Vincent get in with her and row back
to the castle. So they left us, and
Agatha Third and I, too thoroughly up.
set by the accident to wish to carry
through our picnic, followed them
back, walking one on each side Of the
stream until we reached the bridge,
where we Joined forces.
As we returned 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
I 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
dowl 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
nearly as we'll as ever and thanked
me earnestly for my share in her res.
cue. In fact, her gratitude was so
profuse as to make me uncomfortable,
and protested volubly that what I
had done was nothing. Nevertheless,
from that day on Agatha Second clung
to me in a 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 puzzle to me, yet could
only rejoice that it was SO, for 1t left
the field absolutely free to me, and
felt as each day passed that now, in,
deed, I was hotter on the trail of that
twenty millions than had yet been.
1t was the first Sunday after the ac-
cident and the fourth Of our stay. We
had breakfasted at eight and were
sitting around aimlessly waiting until
1t was time to go to church.
When 1t 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 a flattering
chorus of protests when I made this
announcement.
Il shall co." said Vincent, positive
ly, just as If anyone had disputed it.
II always 60, don't I, 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 a
saint, Lord Wilferd." But she laughed
as she said 1t, and Vincent, for no rea-
son at all, looked pleased.
Then the girls all went into the
house to change their frocks, and Vim.
cent, too, had to go and get himself
rigged out in all the sweetness of his
Bond street afternoon things.
care you going to ride or walk?"
asked him as he came downstairs
ahead of the young ladies.
Walk" he said. TITS such a 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 of 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
Ms this morning."
shook my head at him admiringly.
you're wonderful fellow" I told
him; II couldn't manage seven of them
at once to save my skin. It keeps me
busy enough when l take 'em one at
q time"
At this moment the girls trooped
downstairs. They had their prettiest
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 Agathas
were looking unusually lovely in their
howered frocks. big white hats, and
the dainty parasols to match the wide
sashes, and should have been hard
put to it to say which was the hand
soonest. But as they filed out of the
big door saw Vincent look longest
at the secretary, who walked a little
behind the others, her plain, dark blue
silk gown and little rough straw hat
with the pink roses being a conspicu-
GUS contrast to the frills and furbe-
l0wa NJ tho 0iY fhao thou oht