Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1908-06-10

! cunt 50 pTdmIy.' we were sitting on
the low stone balustrade of the castb,
Vincent in riding clothes and loob
ing as flne . lad as any in old England.
He was waiting for Agatha Fifth to 60
riding with him. although 1t was lateg
than usual. all Of US having break
tasted. For myself, wore my tennis
things, which become me greatly, II
do say H. for intended to play .
set with those tennis fanatics, Agatha
Second and Agatha Third, az tha arts
tocratic Agatha Sixth was late riser
and had not yet come downstairs.
me. Vincent" / said, 1T won't do.
Flirt with all the Agathas, II you must,
but when 1t comes to the secretary, let
her alone. To say nothing of what 10
due her, think of the time you're
wasting. We have only SIX weeks
thiAk Of it--six weeks to make try
for twenty millisns Of dollars!"
you forgot to say that a wife goes
along with the 6lthy lucre,"' he said,
and somehow felt uncomfortable.
Vincent has q faculty for making one
feel uncomfortable. II makes me quite
angFy-he's NO better than the rest Of
us. bat he's so eonfoundedly innocent
about some things.
! was going to explain to him that
he needn't speak az II he thought that
were the sort of . man to marry a
| girl merely for her money-when his
face lighted and he spoke more ration
ally.
Cad" he said. what a rare lark it
would be to toss up a coin and take a
chance at it. Six to one only-you'd
have good show to win Quit"
How foolish you are, Vincent" I
responded. Suppose you took {
chance at it, 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
1nting? And II it should happen to
he real Agatha she'd refuse you
hat account because it would de-
tee object of her fathers will; and
II It were not the real Agatha she'd
refuse you. too, because she'd know
she bad 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 I 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 fall in
love. It's 30 difRcult to decide with
that twenty millions lowering In the
background. lust think, Arch, what
the governor would say II his Denniless
younger SON should bring that amount
into the family. And the daughter of
baroness. too it would be such .
match! can Just see how tlckled he'd
be 10 have his youngest 10 well pro-
vidsd for. The dear old governor!"
And vlncent's eyes moistened. $50 you
See" he went ON hurriedly, Miss
Marsh's attitude toward me lie entirely
friendly. She 10 merely the confdante
Of my difficulties Of the heart. and her
taste, md, Is excellent"
1T Is also changeable," I said dry
Iy. III 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 a very interesting
book, the history of the barons, Of
Wyckhoff, and I'm helping her. I'm
awf'ly interested in genealogy, "
know"
This was true. IncOngruOus as 1t
may seem, Vincent's one serious hob
BY 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 Wyckhoff's 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,Y I said, that's Why yoN and
MISS Marsh spend 80 much time there,
suppose I'm glad to hear it. /
really couldn't see what You thought
was 80 attractive" A sharp blow
in the chest interrupted my speech.
"Shut up" Vincent Kissed In my
ear; don't you see Miss Marah?"
AZ he spoke that young person
tripped 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
% earlyfs and he looked at the papers
carried under her arm.
Eyes" she said, n have q new idea
about that last chapter we wrote"
'T'm sorry ! can't be with you this
morning h6 answered, and she passed
inf0 the hOnna She wora A white