The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1908-08-08

intend to try to surprise one of them
into betraying herself?"
Vincent laughed sleepily.
Good old Archibald" he drawled,
you're always looking for master
strokes, but pom my honor 1 never
thought of such a thing" And 1 might
have known that he wouldn't
Left to myself, | was thinking out
my plan OF campaign as regarded
Agatha Third when slight noise in
the back Of the room attracted my
attention. / looked up, startled, for it
was late. and the large, dimly lighted
drawing room was rather an eerie
place, and saw over the back of my
chair the slight form of the secretary
approaching. Her hair was as neat
as usual and her dress was the same
simple gray gown she wore when
had seen her first.
Il beg your pardon, Mr.. Terhune,"
she said, timidly, yet without hesita-
ton. Jam sorry to disturb you, but
would you have the goodness to give
me little of your timer"
Certainly" replied, rising,
though the hour is late. Won't you
be seated?" and I found her chair
The secretary leaned back against it
and folded her hands.
81 shall be quick" she said; but
want to ask you something" She
spoke in a low voice, but with perfect
compOsure, though she never lifted her
eyes. I caught myself wondering
whether she cast them down habitual-
iy, so that people might observe the
length Of her black aUaIaChpc
"Yes?" I said, TO encourage her.
'Of course. you know Lord Vincent
very we'll, don't your AS she asked
me this direct question she looked me
full in the face, and as my eyes met
hers 1 mentally thanked her for her
mercy in not often permitting man to
gaze into them.
Yes" I said, recovering myself Il
know him very we'll"
"And he tells you things, doesn't
he?"
Most things" ! replied, wondering
at what she was driving.
Then could you tell me, please, if
if he accepted Miss Agatha-the
one with the hazel eyes that you call
Agatha Fifth-whel she told him she
loved him?"
l was never more astounded in my
life. How did she know that Agatha
Fifth had told Vincent she loved him,
and how did it concern her? Perhaps,
however, she was acting under Mrs
Armistead's orders, but if so she ought
to have said so.
That's question of very personal
nature" l said, and eyed her search
ingly; "but I don't think Lord Vincent
would mind, as long as you know so
much about it, if l tell you that he
refused the young lady who was indis-
Greet enough to ask him to marry
her."
The secretary gave a sudden start,
and then, by what seemed to be con-
siderable effort. regained control of
herself
He refused her." l continuation
the girl and her questions and her
genuine feeling interested meal
though she told him she was the real
Honorable Agatha" l was so proud
of Vincent for that that 1 was glad
to be able to tell someone about it.
She said that-and he refused her?"
repeated the girl in an awed tone.
Then it was true? She is really
the daughter of Fletcher Boyd?" l
cried eagerly. At last I had stumbled
upon the truth, for 1 knew the secre.
rary was in the secret.
But she only smiled al ne. You
are good man." she said, "a good
man."
The room was growing chilly and
the fire was getting low. and as she
spoke she slipped down from the high
chair and seated herself on a little
stool at my feet, stretching out her
slim hands toward the blaze. Il thank
you," she said, simply, and gazed into
the fire moment, while gazed at her
slender young figure, her pink and
white skin, straight, little nose, and
wide, red mouth with its Du Maurier
chin-and all in a moment I felt my
self plying the poor little girl. Vim
cent was such an attractive young
scamp, he might be playing fast ana
loose with her affections without in
tending it or realizing that he was
doing So Involuntarily 1 leaned to
ward her
MY dear young lady" | said, and
as 1 spoke 1 caught myself thinking
her really good looking. If she only
did her hair decently," 1 thought, I'D
call her a beauty, 1 really believe I
should" My dear young lady,"
said, tell me in confidence and per
haps 1 can help you. Do you-er-are
-er-er-interested in Lord Wiz
fred? If, so, allow me, / conjure you. nay,
l beg of you, to put all thought of him
out of your head. He doesn't mean 1t,
but he is a graceless young flirt. He
doesn't mean word he says. Let
me warn you-be advised"
| stopped short. In the midst Of
my well-meant flow OF words. stopped
short tor. could believe my ewes.