Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1908-12-24
CHAPTER ~.

For some days after that / was In a
quandary. Here. in the face Of my
discovery in the library, was Vincent's
positive information that Agatha Fifth
was the heiress. Reluctantly de-
termined that the likeness between
Agatha Sixth and the picture OF the
baroness was accidental, and began
TO devote myself to the unfortunate
Agatha Fifth. She seemed much In.
clined to discourage me. but l perse-
vered and we soon became great
friends. found she was only IS. and
drew my own conclusions from this
fact. At is ones convictions are never
very deep-rooted, neither are ones
love affairs, and I thought II likely
that the girl would soon forget her ILL
prospered attachment for Vincent's
handsome face. and might begin to
think Of someone else. Surely this was
a very natural belief So the FIRST two
weeks OF our stay at the castle sped by
and saw to my satisfaction that
was gaining ground with the Honor
able Agatha every day. while poor
Vincent wasted his time flirting with
each Agatha in turn The had taken
up Agatha Sixth since my desertion)
or in assisting Miss Marsh to write up
a lot OF old dead barons who were
much better left to a decent and dig.
nified obscurity.
One day, toward the close Of the
two weeks, I met Vincent hurrying
through the hall toward the stairs.
He had on an old velveteen coat COW
cred with paint daubs, his luncheon
basket was over his shoulder, and !
guessed that he was going on one OF
his sketching tours in search Of fresh
woods and pastures new.
where are you going. Wllfred?
asked. as he stopped. "and where's
Agatha second?" She usually accom-
panied him on his sketchlng expedi
lions.
Painting" he replied. concisely. ig
noring my second question; land
where may you be going?"
For a walk with Agatha Fifth"
answered. smiling at him--a little pity
ingly. perhaps. He had lost such {
chance!
Vincent chuckled and his eyes looked
wicked. wish you luck. Arch" h
said. I've been watching your char
table efforts to cut me out and be /
father to my little friend, Agatha Fifth
with great admiration-but forgot Il
tell you"-he lowered his voice. TO
we could see Agatha Second on tn,
Veranda talking 70 Agatha Fifth
forgot to tell you that what Agathi
Fifth told me isn't truei"
isn't true3" repeated In consteI
nation.
mo; she confessed to me about
week ago that she only said she wa
the real Honorable Agatha to max
me marry her. She thought. the foo
ish little girl. that she only had to tel
me she was the heiress TO make m
love her. And she said she was sorr
and wouldn't do It again and craed lik
child, and ! forgaye her and con
forted her. She'll get over II a
right" and laughing hilariously IN
young rascal ran upstairs.
was really yexed with wilfre
about this. thought Il was very VI
kind Of him 10 keep me In the dark fc
so long about Agatha Fifth's confe
sion. What lot OF time I'd bee
wasting! I resolved that would n
turn 70 Agatha Sixth ut the first o.
portunity. and felt glad. even Just
ned, that had mot told him about thu
album which had betrayed the seer
; 20 me. AZ this moment Agatha Sc
ond appeared in the doorway.
"Hull0, Mr.. Terhune.r she sai
-whsra'a Lord wilfredf-