Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1908-07-31


stream and gentle slopes.
See what?" demanded somewhat
testify, adjusting my glasses and sur
veying the landscape without perceiv-
ing anything OF unusual interest
But Vincent, In fever OF haste, was
kneeling and unstrapping his golf
clubs. Hooray," he cried. .Terhune,
a golf course as I'm sinner. Come
on. Wen have some sport. The old
trains due to wait an hour, anyhow"
| looked again. and. sure enough, !
saw that az intervals the close-cropped
grass was dotted with little red flags
like sparks of fire on a carpet OF
green velvet. Vincent has many fads,
but | think he Is keener on golf than
anything else. was disgusted with
him. Vincent" l said with decision.
"this is nonsense. You can wait till
we get to Cuppstone to play golf. Ora
ham said there were public links
there"
Eyes. and he also said that It was
the rottenest course he ever played
over" said Vincent with some heat.
Il made him admit II. And this one
IS a beauty A private one, I'll
wager. Look at that turf. Ii Is Just
like velvet, my dear fellow--like vel
vet and he swept practiced eye over
the wide green slopes.
Now, am fond of the game myself
within reason, and certainly the pros
pect was inviting, for | was tired OF
the confinement OF the carriage and
Vincent was most persuasive. | knew
1t was foolish thing to do: the train
might not stay so long as we expected
and we might get left: and yet, as
say. it Is hard to refuse Vincent any
thing | unwillingly permitted him TO
get out my clubs.
the guard. DO they belong to the
CASTER"
'Yessir," replied the guard. They
belong to Castle Wyckhor, the family
seat Of Baron Wyckhoff. They're all
dead now, though, all 'cept the Honor
able Agatha, and she lives In the cas-
tie and owns all these acres, sir, all
you can see" and the guard waved
his hand grandiloquently toward the
imposing old pile on the hillside and
the green meadows stretching away
far below 1t.
She must have money" | said, re-
fectively. Vincent, meanwhile, was
hunting in his grip for an atrocious
red coat he wears when he golfs.
Money!" repeated the guard
Money! Lor' bless you, sir, she as
millions an millions Her own IA
Their was Baron Wyckhoff. but g died
when is darter we're a little thing. r
never 'ad shilling, but 'er stepfather,
that married Baroness Wyckhoff two
years later, was H'american and 'ad
more pounds than there Is stones in
that castle, sir, an arter lis wife died
e 'ad the place built up again. An
now they're both dead. sir, and Is
stepdaughter. the Honorable Agatha.
as 'er title is, sir. Is heiress OF all his
millions and 'er mothers estate"
she ought to marry" I said. still
refiectively, and without any personal
meaning.
The guard smiled knowingly
There's many one arter her. sir"
he said; but they don't seem to make
no progress against 'er stepfather's
will"
Her stepfather's will?" | repeated,
with interest. do you hear that,
Vincent?"
But Vincent. his beloved coat at
last found. was half out OF the car
riage. Come on" he shouted, we're
wasting time" And I. perforce, was
obliged to follow him. although the
guards story promised to be very in
teresting.
After we had played the first hole
and had won Il seldom win a hole
from Vincent. so | was In a good
humor) told him what the guard had
said. so these grounds belong to the
Honorable Agatha | concluded. land
Ihave curiosity enough to wish that
we might behold this mysterious lady"
But Vincent wasn't a bit excited
you can never depend upon him when
he's playing golf 'Boshl' he said:
I'D rather play ON her links than see
her. II she saw us she might put us
on. Ill bet she's a grabbed old maid.
I'm surprised at you, Terhune. with
your romantic notions. thought you'd
left all that sort OF thing behind you in
London
| felt myself reddening slightly,
though knew Vincent didn't mean
anything, and was about to make some
retort when he drove of unexpectedly.
and ! stopped in admiration OF tho
clean, fast shot he made. II just
cleared natural bunker and sped on
beyond
At that instant discordant mixture
OF sound burst upon our ears. as that
OF dog yelping and vigorous scold-
Ing in high but sweet feminine voice.
With one accord we rushed up the
gentle rise, and in the depression be-
yond we bebeld one of the handsomest
girls had ever seen In my life She