Pocahontas star herald., 1908-09-18

ha'd' when he's particularly affec.
tionate or sleepy; he was the latter
Just now-'T'm just as keen about
marrying this heiress as you are; the
only difference Is that insist upon be-
ing In love with her into the bargain,
and you don't. For I'm hard up, fear
tully hard up. you know, and the gov
ernor's SO awfully good, | hate to ask
MIN for another's months allowance
Just now, I'm way behind as It is,
and | owe Jack Gordon for that prize
polo pony of his. | offered him { 100
Tor 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 If 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
you're not expected to find out the
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 dlsgusted and made no an
swer.
"Of course" he went on, Il 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 10 love mel"
Vincent has few really serious faults,
but | don't attempt to deny that he is
oonceited.
The trouble is" he said, they're
all so attractive l could fovo 0ne as
well as another. l 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 I can't fall in love with any
OF en-" finished Vincent, because
I'm madlT in love with the whole six.
and there you are!" and he shook his
head hOpelessiy. Come, let's to bed, ="
he added.
mot just yet, Freddy" l said. I
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.
"I 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 l never
thought OF such thing" And might
have known that he wouldn't.
Left to myself, was thinking out
my plan OF campaign as regarded
Agatha Third when slight noise in
the back of the room attracted my
attention. | 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 |
had seen her first
81 beg your pardon, Mr.. Terhune,' -
she said, timidly, yet without hesita-
ton. "am sorry to disturb you, but
would you have the goodness to give
me little of your timer
Certainly" 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.
81 shall be quick" she said; but |
want to ask you something She
smoke in low voice, but with perfect
composure. though she never lifted her
ewes. caught myself wondering
whether she cast them down habitual-
". SO that people might observe the
length of her black eyelashes.
"Yes?" said, to encourage her.
"Of course, you know Lord Vincent
very we'll don't you?" AS she asked
me this direct question she looked me
full in the face, and as my eyes met
hers ] mentally thanked her for her
mercy in not often permitting man to
gaze into them.
"Yes," l said, recovering myself, 81
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, If
-,f he accepted Miss AGatha-the
one with the hazel eyes that you call
AGATHA Fifth-when she told him she
loved him.?
was never more astounded in my