Mexico Missouri message., 1908-12-31
CHAPTER IV.--centInued.

Left to myself. / was thinking out
my plan OF campaign as regarded
Agatha Third when a slight noise in
the back of the room attracted my
attention. looked up. startled, for II
was late. and the large. dimly lighted
drawing room was rather an eeTie
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 l
had seen her first.
II beg your pardon, Mr.. Terhune,"
she said. timidly. yet without hesita-
ton. Am sorry 10 disturb you. but
would you have the goodness 70 give
me little of your timer"
Certainly" replied, rising.
though the hour is late. Won't you
be seRted?" and found her a chair.
The secretary leaned back against IL
and folded her hands.
81 shall be quick" she said: but
want TO ask you something" She
spoke in a low voice. but with perfect
composure, though she never lifted her
eyes. 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 your" 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" l said, recovering myself, Il
know him very we'll"
And he tells you things. doesn't
he?"
Most things" replied. wondering
at what she was driving.
Then could you tell me. please, II
Ii he accepted Miss AgathR-the
one with the hazel eyes that you call
Agatha Fitth--when she told him she
loved him."
was never more astounded In my
life. How did she know that Agatha
Fifth had told Vincent she loved him
and how did II concern her? Perhaps
however. she was acting under Mrs
Armistead's orders, but II so she ought
10 have said so.
That's a question OF q very persona
nature" said, and eyed her search
ingly; but don't think Lord Vincent
woHld mind, as long as you know u
much about II, II tell you that h,
refused the young lady who was indIs
Greet enough 10 ask him TO MARI!
her"
The secretary gave a sudden start
and then. by what seemed TO be con
siderable effort. regained control o
hsrbelf.
ne refused her" I continued-fo
tha girl and her questions and he
Eennlne feeling interested meal
though she told him she was the rea
Honorable Agatha" l was so proui
q Vincent for that that I was gial
to be able 20 tell someone about e.
''ahe said that-and he refused hers
repeated the girl In an awed tone
How could he do II. how could he3"
Then It was true7 She is roall
the daughter Of Fletcher Boyd9"
dried eagerly. Az last had stumble
NOON the truth. for knew the secrl
iarg vas IN the secret.
psll she only smiled AZ me. 'Yo
are GOOD man" sne said. "a goo
nam
The room was growing chilly an
lpe lrs was getting low. and AZ al
ep0ko ahe slipped down from the hig
ehn,E and seated herself on ilttl
kltpl ~ my feet. stretching out he
|,n bands toward the blaze. Il than
yea abe said. simply. and eazed int
ne IRE a moment. while gaEed a. he
slender young figure. her pink en-
white s<in, straight. little nose IN
Vida red monkh With rs pu MaurlG
ehap--and ~ n naoment f1it ml
ae|f pilylng she poor little Giri. VII
cent wns such On efaEactivo yonn