Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1908-06-10


to be, preferably, Mrs. Armistead, sis
ter of the real Honorable Agathas q
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 suitor 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 suitor 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 VINO
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
Urahle Agatha WyckhoM. 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 or 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. If any young man 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
big cross of enneralds, 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
tion 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 bs
from man whose motives were moi
mercenary, but purely those OF natural
affection, which was the stepfather'S
object in making the will.
The viii 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!" Hes such kid! 4.
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. It was Just like
Vincent to begiR Irritation with the
secretary, just as II there were moi
six handsome girls Of his own station
in the castle But anything feminine
will do for him as long as she has
sweet smile or soulful eyes, or some
other equally trivial attraction. He'd
Airt with Mrs. Armistead herself I'm
sure, IL that estimable dame, beggina
her pardon, would give him chance.
Il am delighted, Mr. Terhune," said
Mrs Armistead, after we had seated |
ourselves in the library, that you az
Lord Wilfred have decided to stay
with US, and think it would be well
to put on our other visitors who we1e
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 better chance"
] agreed, and she turned toward the
secretary, who was evidently in the
secret.
my dear" she said, az these gen
tlenen are going to remain with us for
six weeks, think Il would " AZ welI
II we put on the PercIvaIe brothers
till the six weeks after that. WIN you
wire them this evening TO that ellect9''
Certainly" replied Miss Marsh, =
Will zee to Il Immediately, Mrs. Arm
istead.''
Az this thought struck me and ]
turned TO Vincent. "And you had bet
ter wire the good people at Damera
farm. I said. TO inform them of our
change Of plan"
Indeed you must" said Mrs. Arm
istead. "and, ~ the way. Mr.. Terhune,
II you and Lord Vincent wish. / can
provide you with = copy Of the Will
Il y dinicultrI think, to remember al
its conditions"
Perhaps that's good idea. Al.
swered, 'It u certainly an extraordi