Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-06-19

and Agatha Third on my left.
Suddenly, as the talk died down and
a certain contented silence fell upon
US. Vincent rose to his feet, and bow
ing to US formally, began to speak:
Ladies and gentleman" he said
making the last word pointedly sim
lgular, while the girls all laughed, 81
think you are all with me when | pro-
pose a vote of thanks to-to-er-our
lhostesS" felt that he had nearly
said Agatha Fourth!")-"ourh hostess,
for giving us so delightful an enter
Itainment." He bowed to Agatha
Fourth and went on:
IF all progressive tea parties are
termed mad l hope 1 may attend many
lsuch. But as looked around me, gen.
ltleman and ladies fair, across the red
Iglow of the candle that turns the roses
to redder gold, and as l gaze upon the
youth and beauty here assembled, the
like of which have never before look
ed upon''-he made courtly inclina-
ton of his head that included every
maid at the table. and they all sighed
IL heard them-"as I look upon this
noble room, this exquisite table, and
think of the graciousness of such hos
pitality l am inspired to propose a
Toast in which feel confident you will
all join me-" At this climax Vincent
raised his glass above his head. "To
the real Agatha!" he cred-"tO the
real Honorable Agatha!"
There was an instant of dead si-
lence, and then to my surprise my
left hand neighbOr, Agatha Third, rose
to her feet. and, with quivering lips,
started to say something But she had
hardly time to rise before the other
five girls Sprang to their feet, and
raising their glasses, Agatha Third
with the rest. they cried with one
voice: ITO the Honorable Agatha"
and although it seemed to me that
lAgatha Third had very nearly let the
cat out of the bag by rising, as if to
acknowledge the courtesy, yet by the
promptness Of the other girls the day
was partially retrieved, and Vincent
and 1 were still somewhat at a loss
as to the identity of our fair and
wealthy hostess.
l asked Vincent afterward what he
made Of Agatha Thirds behavior.
1T looked to me-" said that young
person, las if those girls had them
selves so much in command that they
would never betray the secret they're
Iguarding, no matter what wou did"
But didn't you see Agatha Third
get up. before the others did," 1 said,
lexcitedly. She gave herself away. l
tell you, Wilfred, she's the real hon
orable. without a doubt. There can be
no two ways about it,"
How keen you are!" he said: "and
| tell you what it is Arch'bald"-Vin-
lcent always call me "Arch'bald" with
the 81" left out and the emphasis on
bald" when he's particularly affec-
tiOnate or sleepy; he was the latter
lust nOw-"Tm just as keen about
marrying this heiress as you are; the
Ionly difference is that insist upon be-
ing in love with her into the bargain,
and you don't. For I'm hard up, fear
fully hard up, you know, and the gov
Iernor'S so awfully good, | hate to ask
him for another months allowance
lust now. I'm way behind as it is,
land owe Jack Gordon for that prize
polo pony of his. l offered him e10O
for her the day Of the Hurlingham
Igames and he sold her to me on the
spot. Jacks as hard up as l am-poor
lfellow. And then, you know, it's all
lperfectly fair If we only had the time,
that's all It's pretty quick work to eX-
lpect 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," l interrupted
you're not expected to find out the
heress 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
INincent'S facetiouS response.
l was dsgusted and made no an
swer.
"Of course" he went on. Il wouldn't
propose to any girl l didn't love, but
, Id like the chance to learn to love
| this particular lady the Honorable
Agatha. feel that there would be nc
trouble about her learning to love me-
l Vincent has few really serious faults
: but l don't attempt to deny that he is
cOnceited.
: THE trouble is he said, "they're
all so attractive l could love one as
we'll as another. | wish, though,
f could just naturally fall in love witt
one of them, and I'd propose to her or
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 heires!
as yet"
| And | can't fall in love with any o.
t EN-" finished Vincent, because Tn
1 madly in love with the whole six, ant
: there you are!" and he shook his heat
. 1hOpelessly. Come, let's to bed" HI
=, added.
I Not just yet, Freddy" l said
never call him that. as l have before
? stated. but his hair was all rumplet
5 up and his face flushed and l fel
l warm toward him because he was 81
I dense. Surely with a rival as unOb
serving as he is" thought, Il am no
. heavily handicapped" For l had made
= up my mind that Agatha Third was in
deed the real and only Agatha. Tha
2 involuntary rising of hers was proc
$ positive.
Il say Vincent" I called after him
4 was that a master stroke of yours
5 giving the toast that way? Did yO'
= intend to try to surprise one of then
$ into betraying herself?"
= Vincent laughed sleepily.
). Good old Archibald" he drawled
. you're always looking for maste