Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-06-23

stance of Agatha Thirds seemingly in
voluntary rising when Vincent toasted
the Honorable Agatha, admitted Of
many explanations. At any rate, what
ever her reason for her action, the pres
ence 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 mysterious
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 we'll as ever and thanked me
earnestly for my share in her rescue.
In fact, her gratitude was so profuse
as to make me uncomfortable, and
protested volubly that what l 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, instead 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 a puz-
zle to me, yet could only rejoice that
it was so, for it left the field absolutely
free to me, and felt as each day pass
ed that now, indeed I 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 sit
ting around aimlessly waiting until it
was time to go to church.
When it was finally time to get ready
my head ached from the sun for had
been sitting without my hat, and l de-
cided that would not go that morn
ing. though there was q fattering
chorus of protests when | made this
Il shall CO." said Vincent, positive
lv just as if anyone had disputed it.
Il always go, don't | Miss Marsh?" ap-
pealing to the secretary who was pres
ent, but who, of course, had been
rather left out of the conversation.
Yes" she answered. smiling at him
family. You always do-ever since
we've know you. that is. You're
saint Lord Wilfred" But she laughed
as she said it, and Vincent, for no rea-
SON ar all looked DIea Sed
Then the girls all went into the
house to change their frocks and Vim
cent, too, had to go and get himself
rugged out in all the sweetness of his
Bond street afternoon things
Are you going to ride or walk?" I
asked him as he came downstairs ahead
of the young ladies.
Walk" he said. It's such a ripping
day the girls thought they'd like it.
The phaeton is coming for us after
church. What's the matter with you?
We shall miss you"
"Oh. just bit off my feed this morn
ing. But, my boy. do you realize that
you're going to church all alone by
yourself with six girls. the prettest in
England"
Seven" corrected Vincent, unmov-
ed. THE secretary is going with us
this morning"
I shook my head at him admiringly.
You're a wonderful fellow" l told
him; Il couldn't manage seven Of them
at once to save my skin. 1t keeps me
busy enough when l take 'em one at
a 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
We're looking unusually lovely in their
flowered frocks, big white hats, and
the dainty parasols to match the wide
Sashes. and l should have been hard
put to it to say which was the hand
soonest. But as they filed out of the
big door l saw Vincent look longest
at the secretary, who walked 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 so we'll, and
she passed us men without so much as
Iglancing in our direction. though Vim
cents gaze. | thought. was tritie
rude.
They had been gone some 15 min
utes when it occurred to me that it
might do my head good to go out and
get some fresh air. Besides which l
had begun to regret that / had per-
mitted Vincent to go to church the
only esquire of such Il galaxy of beau
Ity. So | put on my hat and Strolled
out over the lawn and down the long
drive. and before l knew it l had
Ireached the bottom of the hilly road
and had set out over the fields. The
church party had gone by the way of
the path over the fields. for that was
a shorter route than the main road.
As walked quickly along the we'll
beaten path between the thicketS |
stopped suddenly and stopped to pick
up a small dust-cOvered object which
proved to be a prayer book. "One OF
those careless girls has dropped it,
said to myself, for they had all car
ried them. Opening it to find the
owners name. | was much agitated 10
read on the fyleaf this inscription;
Ito my daughter Agatha, from her
father. Fletcher Boyd" and the date
1900 1t was. then. a gift which Fletch-
er Boyd had made to his daughter only
two years before his death
was wild with excitement in a
minute. | would keep the book and
some time when all the girls were
gathered together | would announce
that l had it in my possession and
see if one of them did not betray her
lself by asking me for it. But Fate
ldecreed that | should make my test
Iof the prayer book more speedily, fol
| spied in the distance the white figure
IOf a girl Fastening back The path