The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1908-11-07
CHAPTER Iv.-continued.

Left to myself, / was thinking out
my plan of campaign as regarded
Agatha Third when a slight noise in
the back of the room attracted my
attention. looked up, startled. for II
was late. and the large. dimly lighted
drawing room was rather an eerie
place. and saw over the back of my
chair the slight form of the secretary
approaching. Her hair was as neat
as usual and her dress was the same
simple gray gown she wore when /
had seen her first.
beg your pardon, Mr.. Terhune,"
she said, tfmfdIy, yet without hesita-
ton. am sorry to disturb. you, but
would you have the goodness to give
me little of your timer"
Certainly" replied. rising.
though the hour is late. Won't YOU
be seated? ?" and found her chair.
The secretary leaned back against II
and folded her hands.
Il shall be quick" she said; "but
want to ask you something" She
spoke In low voice, but with perfect
composure, though she never lifted her
eyes. I caught myself wondering
whether she cast them down habituaI-
~. so that people might observe the
length OF her black eyelashes.
Yes" I said, to encourage her.
"of course, you know Lord Vincent
very well. don't you?" AS she asked
me this direct question she looked me
fnll in the face. and as my eyes met
hers ! mentally thanked her for her
mercy in not often permitting man to
gaze into them.
Yes" said, recovering myself. IT
know him very we'll"
And he tells you things. doesn't
her"
Most things replied. wondering
ut what she was driving.
Then could you tell me. please. II j
III he accepted Miss Agatha-the
one with the hazel eyes that you cali
Agatha Fifth-when she told him she
loved him?"
l was never more astounded in my
life. How did she know that Agatha
Fifth had told Vincent she loved him.
and how did it concern her? Perhaps.
however. she was acting sSunder Mrs.
Armistead's orders. but If so she ought
to have said so.
That's question of very personal
nature" | said, and eyed her search.
ingiy: "but I don't think Lord Vincent
would mind, as long as you know so
much about It, If I tell you that he
refused the young lady who was indis-
Greet enough to ask him to marry
her."
the secretary gave a sudden start.
and then, by what seemed to be CON- I
siderable effort, regained control Of
herself.
He refused her." continued-for
Inc girl and her questions and her
genuine feeling interested me-"al.
though she told him she was the real /
Honorable Agatha" l was so proud
II Vincent for that that l was glad 4
% be able to tell someone about n 9
She said that--and be refused her," s
'epeated the girl in an awed tone {
How could he do 1t, how could beg- S
AucH ~ was true {! she Is really I
he daughter of Fletcher Boydr" / a
ried eagerly. At last had stumbled $
Ipon the truth, for knew the secre.
AIRY was In the secret. e
But she only smiled at me. You 1
re good man." she said, "a good
nan." G
The room was growing chilly and 7
he fire was getting low, and as she
poke she slipped down from the high a
hair and seated herself ON little a
tool at my feet. stretching out her
i'm hands toward the blaze. Il thank h
ou.' she said. simply, and gazed into o
Ne FIRE moment. while gazed at her S
ender young figure. her pink and f
hite skin. straight. little. nose, and j,
ide. red mouth with its Du Maurier c
all In moment felt my Il
~ plying the poor little girl. Vim
at was such an attractive young c