Pocahontas star herald., 1908-08-28


and somehow felt uncomfortable
Vincent has faculty for making one
feel uncomfortable. It makes me quite
angry--he's no better than the rest Oh
US, but he's so confoundedly innocent
about some things.
l was going to explain to him that
he needn't speak as II he thought that
| were the sort of man to marry
girl merely for her money-when hi2
face lighted and he spoke more ration
ally.
Cad" he said, what rare lark II
would be TO toss up coin and take
chance at it. Six to one only-you'd
have a good show to win out"
How foolish you are, Vincent" l
responded Suppose you took
chance at 1t, as you say and just pre-
posed to any one of them, when you
had made no attempt to win her
wouldn't she know you were fortune
hunting? And if it should happen to
be the real Agatha she'd refuse you
on that account because 1t would de-
feat the object of her fathers will; and
II 1t were not the real Agatha she'd
refuse you, too, because she'd know
she had no fortune to give you
"Of course" said Vincent signing,
you're right about that. But | tell
you, 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 a beastly mess.
One doesn't know with which one OF
the attractive young ladies to fall in
love- It's so difficult to decide with
that twenty millions lowering in the
background. Just think, Arch, what
the governor would say if his penniless
younger son should bring that amount
into the family. And the daughter of
a baroness. too, 1t would be such a
matchi can just see how tickled he'd
be TO have his youngest so well pro
vided for, The dear old governor"
And Vilcents eyes moistened. 80 you
see," he went on hurriedly, Miss
Marsh's attitude toward me is entirely
friendly. She is merely the confdante
of my difficulties of the heart, and her
taste, find, is excellent"
1T is also changeable," l 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 CT
Wyckhoff, and I'm helping her. I'm
awf'ly interested in genealogy, y
know"
This was true. Incongruous as 1t
may seem, Vincents one serious hob
by-I 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. 1t had
been Baroness Wyckhoffs wish that
oOlllt ltNltW VI lllG lives VI ill1 Ddl Dllo
of that name should be made, since
| the last one had died, and Mrs. Arm
istead had given her secretary this
work to do l eyed Vincent searching
ly as he spoke, but his face was so
thoroughly unconscious that my sus-
picions were disarmed completely
Yes" he said. there are a lot of
very interesting old books in that
library"
Yes" l said, that's Why you and
Miss Marsh spend so much time there,
l suppose. I'm glad to hear IL |
really couldn't see what you thought
was so attractive" A sharp blow
in the chest interrupted my speech.
Shut up" Vincent hisssd in my
ear; don't you see Miss hsarsh?"
AS he spoke that young pessoA
tripped lightly up the wide STONE Steps
OF the veranda and was about 70 pass
on when Vincent stopped her
CONTINUED next week)