The Elbert County tribune., 1908-10-01

/ asked Vincent afterward what he
made Of Agatha Thirds behavior.
1T looked to me-" said that younx
person, "as II those girls had them
selves SO much in command that they
would never betray the secret they're
guarding. no matter what you did"
But didn't you see Agatha Third
get up before the others did?" 1 said,
excitedly. She gave herself away. /
tell you, wilfred. she's the real hon
orable, without doubt. There can be
no two ways about it,"
How keen you arei" he said; "and
/ tell you what 1t is. h'bald''-Vin-
cent always calls me "Ach'bald" with
the 'i" left out and the emphasis on
bald" when he's particularly affec-
tionate or sleepy; he was the latter
Just now-'I'm just as keen about
marrying this heiress as you are; the
only difference is that l insist upon be-
ing in love with her into the bargain.
and you don't. For I'm hard up, fear
fully hard up. you know. and the gov
ernor's SO awfully good, hate to ask
just now. I'm way behind as 1t is.
and / owe Jack Gordon for that prize
polo pony OF his. offered him a100
for her the day of the Hurlingham
games and he sold her to me on the
spot. Jacks as hard up as l am
poor fellow. And then, you know it's
all perfectly fair. II we only had the
time, that's all. It's pretty quick work
to expect man to find out the heiress,
learn to love her and teach her to love
him, all in six weeks, and propose on
the last day Of"
But that's just It," ] interrupted.
heiress first. That's Just what old
Fletcher Boyd wanted to prevent
when he made the will
Nevertheless. you yourself mean
to find out first. don't you, Arch?" was
Vincent's facetious response.
was disgusted and made no an
swer.
"Of course" he went on, 'T wouldn't
propose. to any girl l didn't love, but
I'd like the chance to learn to love
this particular lady. the Honorable
Agatha. l feel that there would be no
trouble about her learning to love mel"
Vincent has few really serious faults.
but | don't attempt to deny that he is
conceited.
THE trouble is" he said, they're
all so attractive l could love one as
well as another. wish, though,
could just naturally fall in love with
one of them. and I'd propose to her on
the last day and take my chances
Who knows? I'm sometimes lucky.
might win the prize!"
so you might" | said. "but as 1t is,
we haven't even discovered the heir
ess as yet"
And l can't fall in love with any
of EN-" finished Vincent, because
I'm madly in love with the whole six,
and there you are." and he shook his
head hopelessly. Come, let's to bed.
he added.
Not just yet. Freddy" I said. L
never call him that. as have bssore
stated. but his hair was all rumbled
up and his face flushed and felt
warm toward him because he was so
dense. Surely with a rival as unob-
serving as he is.' thought, II am not
heavily handicapped" For ! had made
up my mind that Agatha Third was in
deed the real and only Agatha. That
involuntary rising Of hers was proof
positive.
Il say, Vincent" I called after him,
was that master stroke of yours,
giving the toast that way? Did you
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 l never
thought of such thing" And might
have known that he wouldn't.
(TO BE CONTINIrED)