Gilpin observer., 1908-07-09
SYNOPSIS,


after, because of her wealth. On visiting
she Wyckhon castle they are introduced
10 two other girls. both known as Agatha
Wyckhon.
CHAPTER u-At dinner three other
Agatha Wyckhons are introduced and
the plot revealed. The deceased step
tnther. in an eccentric moment. made his
Will so that the real Agatha, heiress to
his fortune and the castle at Wye. Eng
land. might wed her affinity. Thus Mrs.
Armistead, chaperon. was in duty bound
to keep the real Agatha's identity un-
known and suitors were invited to try
out for the hand OF the heiress. An at
tempt by Terhune to gather clew from
the chaperon fails.
CHAPTER III.-Terhune finds old books
containing picture of II former Baroness
Wyckhor. which Is exactly Ike Agatha
Sixth, whom he is courting Vincent en-
tertains them all and while riding with
Agatha Fifth she confesses her love for
him and also that she is the real heir
ess. He spurns her proposal
'If all progressive tea parties are
termed mad hope may attend many
such. But as look around me, gen
tleman and ladies fair. across the red
glow of the candle that turns the rose;
to redder gold, and as | gaze upon the
youth and beauty here assembled. the
like of which I have never before
looked upon"-he made a courtly in
clination Of his head that included
every maid at the table. and they al
sighed heard them-"as look upon
this noble room. this exquisite table
and think OF the graciousness OF suct
hospitality, I am inspired to propos,
a toast in which feel confident yot
will all JOIN me-" At this climax Vim
cent raised his glass above his head
ITO the real Agatha" he cried-"tc
the real Honorable Agatha"
There was an instant OF dead 81
lence. and then to my surprise my
left-hand neighbor, Agatha Third. rose
to her feet. and. with quivering lips
started to say something. But she hat
hardly time to rise before the other
Ave girls sprang to their feet. and
raising their glasses. Agatha Third
with the rest. they cried with one
voice: ITO the Honorable Agatha
and although II seemed to me that
Agatha Third had very nearly let the
&,
acknowledge the courtesy. yet by the
promptness OF the other girls the day
was partially retrieved, and Vincen,
and I were still somewhat at a loss
as to the identity OF our fair and
wealthy hostess.
| asked Vincent afterward what he
made of Agatha Thirds behavior
tD hot a
person. ''as II those girls had them
selves SO much In command that they
would never betray the secret they're
guarding. no matter what you did"
But didn't you see Agatha Third
get up before the others did," I said
excitedly. she gave herself away.
tell you. Wilfred. she's the real hon
orable, without a doubt. There can be
no two ways about IT,"
How keen you are!" he said: "and
tell you what II is. Arch h'bald'-Vin
cent always calls me "Ach' bald" with
the 81" left out and the emphasis on
bald" when he's particularly affec
tionate or sleepy; he was the latter
Just now-"I'm just as keen about
marrying this heiress as you are; the
only difference is that insist upon be-
ing in love with her into the bargain
and you don't. For I'm hard up. fear
fully hard up. you know. and the gov.
ernor's so awfully good. l hate to ask
him for anothsr's months allowance
Just now. I'm way behind as 1t 10.
and I owe Jack Gordon for that prize
- III .~n q
for her the day Of the Hurlingham
games and he sold her to me on the
spot. Jacks as hard up as l am
poor fellow. And then. you know, It's
all perfectly fair. II we only had the
time. that's all. It's pretty quick work
to expect man to And out the heiress.
learn to love her and teach her to love
him, all in six weeks. and propose on
the last day Of"
But that's Just IT," I interrupted,
you're not expected to find out the
heiress first. That's just what old
Fletcher Boyd wanted to prevent
when he made the will"
Nevertheless. you yourself mean
to find out first. don't you, Arch?" was
Vincent's facetious response.
was disgusted and made no an.
swer.
"Of course" he went on. II wouldn't
propose to any girl didn't love, but
I'd like the chance to learn to love
this particular lady. the Honorable
Agatha. feel that there would be no
trouble about her learning to love mel
Vincent has few really serious faults.
but don't attempt to deny that he is
conceited.
"The trouble H." he said. they're
all SO attractive I could love one as
we'll as another. wish, though. !