The Elbert County tribune., 1908-09-10
CHAPTER discontinued.

The meal was well cooked and beau
tifully served. and by the time the
salad course arrived Vincent and hat
lost much of our constraint and self
consciousness and were talking ant
laughing with the best Of them. The
levity and freedom from the conven
tionalitles usually observed at din
ner party, In which those girls in
dulged. was a bit shocking to me. nj
though II did not seem to disconcerl
Vincent in the least.
After dinner our adventure de
veloped its most astonishing feature
At the close of the meal the ladies
arose. and we were invited to remain
and smoke some exceptionally fine
cigars. but before she left the room
the secretary came over to us and In n
low tone told us that. when we had
finished our smoke. Mrs. Armistead de-
sired that we should join her in the
library to discuss business. She-the
secretary-would come for us. as we
would not know the way
We were amazed. Business? What
business could we possibly have with
Mrs. Armistead? However. we told
the secretary that we would be happy
to join her mistress in the library in
ubuur 20 uIfnures. although. as said.
we hadn't the widest idea what we
could possibly have to discuss with
her.
When the secretary withdrew Vim
cent burst into flood of excited con
lecture. Are we in girls boarding
school. or lunatic asylum, or what?'
he demanded. Il don't know what to
make of 1t. II it's an asylum then I'm
distinctly for lunatics! They're the
most attractive lot I've ever seen, but
II they're all sisters why didn't Papa
and Mamma Wyckhoff find different
names for EN-? Six Agathas, and all
the honorable at that! It's absurd,
But II doesn't seem to bother them;
they call each other 'Ag.' and 'Aggie.'
and Agatha just as II 1t were Rose,
or Gwen. or Maud! What do you sup
pose it all means? My heads in a
whirl!"
my dear fellow" said, 81 have a
presentiment that we shall find out
what 1t all means when we join Mrs.
did. As have said. my intuitions sell
dom fail me.
The library was little room at
some distance from the dining hall. 1t
was beautifully furnished. like the rest
of the house. and big fireplace took
up one side of the room Before it
was a massive armchair, worn and
old, as II the barons of Wyckhoff for
ages back had sat in it. On the large
table were some legal-looking papers,
and as we entered Mrs. Armistead
arose and placed her hand upon them
The secretary closed the door and took
up her position beside her mistress
while we stood before them, i'll at
ease ens expecting we knew not what
Gentlemen" began Mrs. Armistead
with great gravity, Il am right am
not. in presuming that you are candi
dates for the hand of the Honorable
Agatha Wyckhoff?"
Yes. that's just what she said Can
didates for the hand of the Honorable
Agatha Wyckhoff." 1t took my breath
away. and before had time to speak
and set her right heard Vincent calm
~ dsStflut ucf iuut we were Cdnul
dates! AS he had thus rashly com
mitted himself l couldn't go back Oh
him, SO let him make all the other
answers that were necessary.
Then you wish to hear the win p
continued Mrs. Armistead. and Vincent
assented.
Read the WILL" said Mrs. Armistead
to the secretary. and the young lady In
gray picked up one of the legal-looling
papers.
''This is to certify" she began. and
read to the finish. while l held my
breath, for. when I had heard the
whole OF that extraordinary document
was filled with amazement and curl
osity. not unmixed with certain ex-
citement. In brief. the provisions OF
this remarkable will ran thus:
Fletcher Boyd. stepfather OF the
Honorable Agatha wyckhoff. had left
her his entire fortune of about $40. .000.-
900. provided that she obey the condi'
tions Of his will. Should she disregard