Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1908-07-16

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 ont without fear Of recogni-
ton by the servants, as the real
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 man whose motives were not
mercenary, but purely those of natural
affection, which was the stepfather's
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 or 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 hs
drew aside and began to talk to her
I'm 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 begin Irritation with the
secretary, just as IL there 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, if 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 it would be well
to put off 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"
/ agreed, and she turned toward the
secretary, who was evidently in the
secret.
MY DEAR" she said, "as these gen.
tlemen are going to remain with us for
six weeks, think it would be as we'll
If we put off the Percivale brothers
till the six weeks after that. Will You
wire them this evening to that effect?'
Certainly replied Miss Marsh, 81
will see to it Immediately, Mrs. Arm
istead"
AT this a thought struck me and
turned to Vincent. And you had bet
ter wire the good people at Damer's
farm ! said, ITO inform them of our
change OF plan"
Indeed you must" said Mrs. Arm
istead, and, by the way, Mr.. Terhune,
II you and Lord Vincent wish, can
provide you with a copy of the will
1t is difficult, I think, to remember all
its conditions"
Perhaps that's good idea," an
swered. 1T Is certainly an extraordi-
nary document; and what an extraor-
binary man this Fletcher Boyd must
have been, Mrs. Armistead, to conceive
such q plan as that"
Mrs. Armistead laughed. Il think
he was" she said. II saw my brother
in-law only once in my life, but that
was enough to impress me with the
strength of the mans character and
his eccentricity. He was intensely
American-what they call 'self-made
man over there, / imagine-and 1t
was his determination that his step
the Honorable Agatha, in
spite OF her English birth, should be
educated In America. To this her
mother agreed, on condition that she
should be allowed to bring her daugh-
ter out in England and that she should
make that country her home when her
schooling had been completed. Ac-
cordingly, when Lady Wyckhoff died,
the child being about IL years old,
Fletcher Boyd promised his wife to
carry out her wishes In that respect.
a few years later he began the work
d building up this old castle OF Wyck.
hon and putting In every modern con,
venience, as you see, SO that it should
be ready for his daughter to live in
temporarily, before he established her
a London with some good lady to
oversee her presentation into society.
according to her mothers ideas"
This was q long speech for the
GOOD Mrs. Armistead, and she paused
Tor breath.
q see" commented. He made !
very excellent job OF 1t. Then. as /
understand It, his daughter has never
been IN England since her early child
aood?o
No" said Mrs. Armistead. .Poor
shtld, It's practically all new to her.