Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1908-08-21

the opening OF the story. In England. the
latter relating the tale. The pair on an
outing miss their train and seeking rec
reation meet s'the Honorable Agatha
wyckhoff." whose hand Is much sought
after, because Of her wealth. on visiting
the wyckhofr castle they are introduced
TO two other girls. both known as Agatha
wyckhoff.
CHAPTER Hat dinner three other
Agatha WyckhoTs are introduced and
the plot revealed, Tho deceased step
father, In an eccentric moment, made his
will so that the reai Agatha, heress to
his fortune and the castle at Wye. Eng
land. might wed her affinity. Thus Mrs.
Armstead. chaperon. was in duty bound
10 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 Terhuns to gather elew from
the chaperon fails.
CHAPTER -If--Terhune faas old oocks
containing picture OF n former Baroness
Wyckhoff. which Ia exactly like Agatha
sixth. whom he Is counting. Vincent en-
tertains them all and while riding with
Agatha Fifth she confesses her love for
him and also that she IL the real heir
ess. He spurns her proposal.
YES she said, Il have new idea
about that last chapter we wrote.
I'm sorry cant he with you this
morning." he answered. and she passed
into the house. She wore white
frock and natty little blue apron, and
I must admit looked very fresh and
dainty. but Wilfred's tone was so cool
and conventional that | mentality
freed him again from my accusation
that he was In the midst Of warm
Irritation. though you will agree with
me that appearances had been very
much against him.
But that evening when he and
were having our nightly bedroom col
loquy | was obliged to admit that
Vincent. considering his methods. had
accomplished great deal. With some
embarrassment he related to me the
tale OF his horseback ride In the morn
ing and must say 1t completely un.
settled my belief In the discovery
had made as to the identity OF the real
Honorable Agatha Wyckhoff Neither
Vincent nor knew what to make Of 1t.
DO you know. Arch" he said. stri-
ding up and down my room, I've been
through horrible experience today
II was an awful shock to me, and a
lesson"
There are 20 few lessons In Vincent's
life.
YES" he said, Il felt like beastly
cad. And don't see what I've done
to deserve IT, OF course, I've held
her hand a couple OF times"
THAT bad habit OF yours again"
mnrmured
got the most soulmoving eyes 81
know"
didn't know. but I nodded. The
boy was very much in earnest
But ] never thought" he went on
~ never thought she--she" He
stopped and the words seemed to stick
In his throat.
Great heaven, man" l cried in my
Impotence, get It out. What didn't
you think shed dor"
Il never thought she'd really care
for me" he muttered, shamefacedly.
and turned his back on me.
What do you meang" | demanded
impatiently. He is most evaTperatinE
why, this" He ceased his restless
walk and stood on the hearth rug ia
cling me Wed been out about an
hour this morning. Agatha Fifth and
/. and we'd been getting up into the
hilly country, when suddenly we came
out of the woods and saw below us
the grandesf stretch Of country you
can imagine"
Here he broke on and went into a
rhapsody over the skyline and the
grazing sheep. and said something
about Utopia and Eden and other
things like that. until he got through
at last and came to the interesting
part They can't help going on like
that. these artist fellows, and Vincent
never losses an opportunity to get ia
a bit Of description.
Well" he continued, II was just
enjoying that view and saying nothing
when she stopped switching the tops
off the harebells with her crop and.
turning those warm hazel eyes Of hers
on me, she said In low voice, as IL
what she said didn't matter at all, 1
love you,'"
WHAT" | shouted "She dida't'"
"She did" asserted Vincent ruefuiiy,
but with firmness--4She did. Just like
that, out Of clear sky. Simply folded
her hands and looked at me and told
me she loved me-
Angels and ministers Of grace, de-
fend u.s.. | calculated. Nothing else
seemed adequate. What under the
sun did you dor"
why. told her simply that didn't
love her. and couldn't marry her. and
was very sorry. but ! thought we'd
better get On our horses and go home.
Quite right. II you don't really
care" / said. hut oh, Vincent" as a
,hc ght struck me. Just think, she
nisht have been the Honorable Agatha
-; real and only honorable
W.