Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1908-07-23

Atte w ~ ss'y0tt S3tCW VI WIN QUIZ
How foolish you are, Vincent" /
responded Suppose you took a
chance at II, as you say, and just pro-
posed TO any one Of them, when you
had made no attempt to win her
wouldn't she know you were fortune.
hunting? And II 1t should happen To
be the real Agatha she'd refuse you
on that account because IT would de-
feat the object Of her fathers will; and
IL 1t were not the real Agatha she'd
refuse you, too, because she'd know
she had no fortune to give you.
sOf course, said Vincent, signing
you're rig}it about that. But tell
Won. Archibald, I'm not flirting with
Miss Marsh She's an awfully sensible
little girl, and | go to her for advice
about the course I'm pursuing with the
Agathas. / need encouragement, you
know; it's all such beastly mess.
One doesn't know with which one OF
the attractive young ladies to fan in
love. It's so difficult to decide with
that twenty millions lowering in the
background Just think, Arch, what
the governor would say ii his penniless
younger SON should bring that amount
into the family. And the daughter of
a baroness. too, il would be such
matchi ] can just see how tiekled he'd
be to have his youngest SO well pro-
yided for The dear old governor"
And Vincent's eyes moistened. so you
see, he went on hurriedly, Miss
Marsh's attitude toward me is entirely
friendly. She is merely the confidante
of my difficulties of the heart, and her
taste, | find, is excellent
! ut is also changeable," | said dry
ly, @if the course you have been pur-
suing is through advice of hers"
Vincent smiled. "And then you
know" he went on, ignoring my
thrust, she's writing very interesting
book the history OF the barons of
Wyckhoff, and I'm helping her. I'm
awf'ly interested in genealogy, y
know
This was true 1neongruous as it
may seem, Vincent's one serious hob
byI don't consider his paint-dabbling
serious-which had to do with re-
search and scholarship, was his love
for things ancient in general, and
family trees in particular. It had
been Baroness Wyckhoifs wish that
some review of the lives of the barons
of that name should be made, since
the last one had died, and Mrs. Arm
istead had given her secretary this
work to do. ! eyed Vincent searching
~ as he spoke, but his face was so
thoroughly unconscious that my sus-
picions were disarmed completely.
Yes" he said, there are lot OF
very interesting old books in that
library
Yes I said, that's why you and
Miss Marsh spend so much time there,
suppose. I'm glad to hear it,
really couldn't see what you thought
was so attractive A sharp blow
in the chest interrupted my speech.
shut up" Vincent Kissed in my
ear; don't you see Miss Marsh ?"
AS he spoke that young person \
tTipped lightly up the wide stone steps
of the veranda and was about to pass
on when Vincent stopped her.
Good morning he said, his hat in
his hand, Are you beginning work
so early?" and he looked at the papers
carried under her arm.
YES" she said, 4 have a new idea
about that last chapter we wrote"
''I'm sorry can't be with you this
morning he answered, and she passed |
into the house She wore a white |
frock and natty little blue apron, and
| must admit looked very fresh and |
dainty, but Wilfred's tone was so cool |
and conventional that I mentally |
freed him again from my accusation
that he was In the midst of a warm
Irritation. though you will agree with |
me that appearances had been very
much against him.
But that evening when he and /
were having our nightly bedroom col
loquy 4 was Obliged to admit that
Vincent, considering his methods, had |
a great deal With some
embarrassment he related to me the |
tale Of his horseback ride in the morn
ing, and must say it completely I'M
settled my belief In the discovery /
had made as to the identity of the real
Agatha Wyckhoff. Neither
Vincent nor knew what to make of it.
DO you know, Arch he said, stri-
ding up and down my room, i've been
through a horrible experience to-day?
Il was an awful shock to me, and a
lesson"
I'm glad 1t was a lesson, said i.
There are SO few lessons in yincents
life.
Yes he said, II felt like beastly
cad. And ! don't see what I've done
% deserve it. OF course, I've held
her hand couple or times
THAT bad habit of yours again, il
mnrmured
And I've looked at her q lot she's /
got the most soul-moving eyes "
know
~ didn't know, but I nodded. The
o0F was very much tn earnest.
But never thought, bic went Oh
M never thought sle-she He
stopped and the words seemed ia stick
ID his throat.
Great heaven. man. cried ii nv
'mpa thence get It out. What didn't
1ou think she'd dor
never thought she'd really care