The Irish standard., 1908-07-11

10 uuQ OUT uTSt, QOn you, ARCH! was
Vincent's facetious response.
was disgusted and made no an.
swer.
"Of course" he went on, II wouldn't
propose to any girl didn't love, but
I'd like the chance to learn to love
this particular lady. the Honorable
Agatha. 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 could love one as
we'll 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 it 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.
mot just yet. Freddy" said.
never call him that. as have before
stated. but his hair was all rumpled
up and his face flushed and l 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" 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 1 never
thought Of such a thing" And l might
have known that lie wouldn't.
Left to myself, I was thinking out
my plan OF campaign as regarded
Agatha Third when slight noise in
the back of the room attracted my
attention. I looked up. startled, for it
was late, and the large, dimly lighted
drawing room was rather an eerie
place. and saw over the back of my
chair the slight form Of the secretary
approaching. Her hair was as neat
as usual and her dress was the same
simple gray gown she wore when I
had seen her first.
Il beg your pardon, Mr.. Terhune,"
she said. timidly. yet without hesita-
tion. 'am sorry to disturb you, but
would you have the goodness to give
me little of your time?"
Certainly" 1 replied. rising,
though the hour is late. Won't you
be seated?" and found her a chair.
The secretary leaned back against it
and folded her hands.
II shall be quick" she said; but I
want to ask you something" She
spoke In low voice. but with perfect
composure. though she never lifted her
eyes. l caught myself wondering
whether she cast them down habitual-
ly, SO that people might observe the
length Of her black eyelashes.
"Yes?" said. to encourage her.
"Of course, you know Lord Vincent
very WELL don't you?" AS she asked
me this direct question she looked me
full in the face. and as my eyes met
hers I mentally thanked her for her
mercy in not often permitting man to
gaze into them.
"Yes," I said. recovering myself, II
know him very we'll"
And he tells you things, doesn't
he?"
Most things" I replied, wondering
at what she was driving.
Then could you tell me, please, IL
III he accepted Miss Agatha-the
one with the hazel eyes that you call
Agatha Fifth-when she told him she
loved him?"
l was never more astounded in my
life. How did she know that Agatha
Fifth had told Vincent she loved him.
and how did 1t concern her: Perhaps,
however, she was acting under Mrs.
Armistead's orders, but II so she ought
to have said so.
That's question of very personal
nature" said, and eyed her search
ingly; but l don't think Lord Vincent
would mind. as long as you know so
much about it, If tell you that he
refused the young lady who was indis-
Greet enough to ask him to marry
her."
The secretary gave sudden start,
and then, by what seemed to be con-
siderable effort. regained control OF
herself
"IIe refused her." contlnued-for
the girl and her questions and her
genuine feeling interested meal
though she told him she was the real
Honorable Agatha" was so proud
OF Vincent for that that 1 was glad
to be able to tell someone about 1t.
"She said that-and he refused herr"
repeated the girl in an awed tone