The Irish standard., 1908-07-04

W A1<VNV
the completion of her education, to Sc
cure not less than three, nor more
than six, girls from 10 to % 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 a generous
monthly stipend, enjoy luxurious
lodgings and rich fare, and to live a
life of tdleness, with ample entertain.
ment.
1t was further directed that, before
the girls left for England, some Eng
nsh lady Of rank or position be SO.
cured to dwell at Castle Wyckhof 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 first 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
amuse herself and friends by enter.
tanning at the castle any young men
OF whom the chaperon might approve.
Mrs. Armistead (should she be the
chaperon securely was likewise
charged to keep the castle supplied
with guests. the best young men that
England could boast, as her large &C.
quaintance permitted her to do. Each
visitor in the role Of sutton for the
hand of the Honorable Agatha was
limited to six weeks stay at the castle.
as Mr. Boyd considered that length Of
time sufficient for him to find out
whether he loved any of the Agathas
or not and the sutton was not to make
his declaration until the very last
day Of the six weeks allotted him, and,
OF course, was limited to one proposal.
In the event Of any of the young men
proposing to any of the Agathas who
was not the stepdaughter of Mr.. Boyd,
the will permitted her to marry him, II
she desired, but with the distinct un.
derstanding that she was not the Hon.
orable Agatha Wyckhoff In that case
Mrs. Armistead was to secure another
Agatha, and the girl who desired to
marry was to receive dowry amount.
Ing to the full sum of the monthly
stipends which she would have re.
ceived had she remained at the castle
for the entire two years. The same
provision for her companions was
made in the event Of the real Agatha's
marriage before the expiration of the
time. II any young mar proposed to
the real Agatha, ignorant Of her
identity, and she accepted him, she
was directed by the will to produce
and wear upon the third finger of her
left hand the betrothal ring OF her
mothers family. gold ring set with
a big cross of emeralds, as proof of her
identity as the real Agatha. Mrs.
Armistead and all the girls were to be
bound by oath not to reveal the identi.
ty of the real Agatha, and each of the
latter was to be likewise addressed as
the Honorable Agatha Wyckhoff," by
suitors and servants, in order to pre-.
serve the secret. This condition could
be- carried out without fear Of recogni.
ton by the servants, as the real
Agatha had not been in England since
her early childhood. Thus her identi.
ty could be easily concealed, and, by
this means, If any proposal of mar.
riage were made to her it would be
from a man whose motives were not
mercenary, but purely those of natural
affection, which was the stepfathers
object in making the will.
The will closed with the appoint
ment OF executors and trustees and
then came the witnesses, the date, and
the place Of residence.
Then we can stay in thus bully old
place for six weeks" said Vincent.
"Hooray!" He's such kid!
The secretary smiled at his enthus.
iasm, and Vincent must have thought
her smile very attractive, because he
drew aside and began to talk to her
in low tones, while discussed the will
with Mrs. Armistead, who seemed per-
fectly willing to impart whatever in.
formation we desired. 1t was just like
Vincent to begin a filtration with the
6eCIcldIy, JUST as IL tucTe were not
six handsome girls of his own station
in the castle. But anything feminine
will do for him as long as she has a
sweet smile or soulful eyes, or some
other equally trivial attraction. He'd
fiirt with Mrs. Armistead herself, I'm
sure, II that estimable dame, begging
her pardon, would give him a chance.
Il am delighted, Mr.. Terhune," said
Mrs. Armistead, after we had seated
ourselves In the library, that you and
Lord Wilfred have decided to stay
with US, and think 1t would be we'll
to put of our other visitors who were
to come to us for this six weeks. do
not believe in having more than two
or three young men at once. The time
Is so very short"
1T would give US a better chance"
I agreed, and she turned toward the
secretary. who was evidently in the
secret.
my dear" she said, "as these gen.
t1oYnon 70 ooin kr ro,,, t. -t<h 90. g..