Pocahontas star herald., 1908-09-25

drowned, and to enable her to breathe
more freely removed the tight-ftting
dickey of her sailor suit 1t was not
long before she began to regain con.
sciousness, and 1t was at this mo.
ment that ] made a most amazing dis.
covery, for around the neck of the
girl | saw a little silver chain, and
on it was strung heavy gold ring set
with large cross of old-fashioned EN-.
eralds.
! called to Vincent, and as | pointed
at the magnificent and telltale niece
Of jewelry we both gazed at it.
speechless with surprise at discover.
ing in such manner the secret of the
Honorable Agatha's identity Before
she had quite regained her conscious.
ness l readjusted her dickey, and
when she was able to stand we
wrapped her in our coats and carried
her to the boat There wasn't room
in 1t for more than two, so | made
Vincent get in with her and row back
TO the castle. So they left us, and
Agatha Third and |, too thoroughly up
set by the accident to wish to carry
through our picnic, followed them
back, walking one on each side OF the
stream until we reached the bridge,
where we Joined forces.
AS we returned | did great deal
Of thinking. So 1t was Agatha Second,
after all, who was the real Honorable
Agatha. For certainly her possession
OF the Wyckhoff ring, mentioned In
the will, was proof positive. Now that
] thought OF 1t, the suspicious circum-
stance Of Agatha Thirds seemingly in
voluntary rising when Vincent toasted
the Honorable Agatha, admitted Of
many explanations. At any rate,
whatever her reason for her action,
the presence Of the Wycknoff ring or
the neck Of Agatha Second had proved
to me the falsity of that other clew
and the identity of our fair bat mys-
tsrious hostess.
The next morning when she came
down to breakfast | 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 res
cue. In fact, her gratitude was so
profuse as to make me uncomfortable,
and | protested volubly that what
had done was nothing. Nevertheless,
from that day on Agatha Second clung
touching Vincent, to my surprise, in
stead 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 puzzle to me. yet could
only rejoice that II was 30, for II left
the field absolutely free to me, and
felt as each day passed that now, In
deed, was hotter on the trail OF that
twenty millions than had yet been.
It was the hrst Sunday after the &C.
cident and the fourth Of our stay. We
had breakfasted at eight and were
sitting around aimlessly waiting until
II was time to go to church.
When 1t was finally time to get
ready my head ached from the sun,
for had been sitting without my hat,
and decided that would not go that
morning though there was a fiattering
chorus Of protests when | made this
announcement.
Il shall go" said Vincent, positive
ly, just as If anyone had disputed it.
Il always 90, don't |, Miss Marsh?' ap-
pealing to the secretary, who was pres
ent but who, of course, had been rath-
er left out of the conversation.
Yes, she answered, smiling at him
family. You always do-ever since
we've known you, that It, You're
saint, Lord Wilferd." But she laughed
as she said it, and Vincent, for no rea-
son at all, looked pleased.
Then the girls all went into the
house to change their frocks, and Vim
cent, too, had to 20 and get himself
rigged out in all the sweetness of his
Bond street afternoon things.
Are you going te ride or walk?"
asked him as he came downstairs
ahead Of the young ladies'.
Walk he said. IT'S such a rip
PIN clay 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 a bit of my feed this
morning. But, Vincent. my boy, do
you realize that you're going to church
all alone by yourself with six girls, the
prettiest in England?"
Seven" corrected Vincent. un-
moved The secretary is going with
Us this morning"
shook nay head at him admiringly.
You're a wonderful fellow" l told
him; I couldn't manage seven of them
at once to save my skin. It keeps me
o0sy enough when l take EN- one at
time"
AT This moment the girls trooped
downstairs. They had their prettiest
gowns on and were fully aware of the
"omlrauoa in the eyes of Vincent and
myself And that admiration was per.
leeuy eAcusable for the six Agathas
were looking unusually lovely in their
no"ered trocks, big white hats. and
.ue ualnly parasols to match the wide