The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1908-07-15

her alone. To say nothing of what is
due her, think of the time you're
wasting. We have only six weeks
think of ft-six weeks to make a try
for twenty millions of dollars!"
You forgot to say that wife goes
along with the filthy lucre,' he said.
and somehow l felt uncomfortable.
| Vincent has faculty for making one
feel uncomfortable. 1t makes me quite
angry-he's no better than the rest of
US, but he's so confoundedly innocent
about some things.
! was going to explain to him that
he needn't speak as if he thought that
l were the sort of a man to marry a
girl merely for her money-when his
face lighted and he spoke more ration.
ally.
Cad" he said, what rare lark 1t
would be to toss up coin and take a
chance at it. Six to one only-you d
have good show to win OUT"
How foolish you are, Vincent" /
responded. Suppose you took q
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
hunting? And If it should happen to
be the real Agatha she'd refuse you
on that account because it would de-
feat the object of her fathers will; and
If 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 l 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
baroness. too, it would be such a
match! can just see how tickled he'd
be to have his youngest so we'll pro-
vided for. The dear old governor!"
And Vincents eyes moistened. $50 you
see he went on hurriedly, Miss
Marsh's attitude toward me is entirely
friendly. She is merely the confidante
of my difficulties of the heart, and her
taste, ! find, is excellent"
ut is also changeable," I 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 of
Wyckhoff, and I'm helping her. I'm
awf'ly interested in genealogy, y
know"
This was true. Homogeneous as it
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. 1t 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. 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 lot of
very interesting old books in that
library"
Yes" ! said, that's why you and
Miss Marsh spend so much time there,
| suppose I'm glad to hear it. l
really couldn't see what you thought
! was so attractive" A sharp blow
in the chest interrupted my speech.
Shut up" Vincent Kissed in my
ear: don't you see Miss Marsh?"
AS 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
so early?" and he looked at the papers
carried under her arm.
Yes" she said, Il have a new idea
about that last chapter we wrote"
I'm sorry can't be with you this
morning" he answered, and she passed
into the house. She wore a white
/ frock and natty little blue apron, and
| must admit looked very fresh and
dainty. but Wilfred's tone was so cool
and conventional that | mentally
freed him again from my accusation
that he was in the midst of a warm
filtration, though you will agree with
me that appearances had been very
much against him.
But that evening when he and |
We're having our nightly bedroom col
loquy l was obliged to admit that
Vincent, considering his methods. had
accomplished great deal With some
embarrassment he related to me the
tale of his horseback ride in the morn.
ing, and | must say it completely I'M
settled my belief in the discovery ]
had made as to the identity of the real
Honorable Agatha Wyckhoff. Neither
1 Vincent nor knew what 70 ynaLa ~ ~