Gilpin observer., 1908-07-09

the VIII. was proof positive. Now that
! thought OF 1t. 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
down to breakfast l 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 well 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
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 1t was so. for it left
the field absolutely free to me, and l
felt as each day passed that now, in
deed, 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 fiattering
chorus of protests when l made this
announcement.
Il shall 60" said Vincent. positive
ly, just as II anyone had disputed it.
'I always go, don't l, 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 it. 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.
Are you going to ride or walk"
asked him as he came downstairs
ahead of the young ladies'.
Walk" he said. It's 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 a 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
us this morning"
| l shook my head at him admiringly.
him; II couldn't manage seven of them
at once to save my skin. 1t keeps me
busy enough when l take 'em one at
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
fiowered frocks, big white hats, and
the dainty parasols to match the wide
sashes, and l should have been hard
put to 1t to say which was the hand
soonest. But as they filed out OF the
big door I 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-
lows Of the six Agathas. l thought
had never seen her look 20 we'll. and
she passed us men without SO mitch al
glancing in our direction. though Vim
cents gaze, l thought. was . tribe
rude.
They had been gone some Is min
utes when It occurred to me that II
might do my head good to go out ant
get some fresh air. Besides which
had begun to regret that / had per
mitted Vincent to go to church the
only esquire Of such . galaxy OF beau
ty. So put on my hat and strollet
out over the lawn and down the lont
drive. and before l knew It hat
reached the bottom Of the hilly roat
and had set out over the fields. Th'
church party had gone by the way o
the path over the fields, for that wa
O shorter route than the main road.
As walked quickly along the well