Rocky Ford enterprise., 1908-09-25
CHAPTER III.-continued.

My new knowledge, while 1t robbed
the affair OF its piquant mystery-for
l had decided that Agatha Sixth was
In truth the real Honorable Agatha
made my game even more exciting.
now that the stakes were assured.
read with Agatha Sixth. walked with
her. talked with her, and played chess
with her all the first week: and as
nearly as | could make out Vincent's
program ran something like this: be-
fore breakfast he took a horseback
ride with Agatha Fifth: after break
fast he played golf with Agatha First:
tennis with Agatha Third: and took
Agatha Second out sketchinG. In the
afternoon Agatha Fourth played
chopin to him by the hour. Agatha
Sixth he had not approached. fearing
me. as was natural. In the evening
he played games with them all or re-
tired into the library with Agatha
Fifth. who seemed to have lost her
head over him completely.
This program he repeated day after
day with reckless lack OF generalship
and yet every now and then. 10 my
surprise and disgust. caught him
deep In his unfortunate Irritation with
Mrs. Armistead's secretary. It wasn't
fair TO the poor girl, and | told Vim
cent so plainly. We were sitting on
the low stone balustradc of the castle
Vincent In riding clothes and look
ing as fine lad as any In old England.
He was waiting for Agatha Fifth to go
riding with him, although 1t was later
than usual. all OF us having break.
tasted. For myself wore my tennis
things. which become me greatly. II
! do say IL, for I intended to play a
set with those tennis fanatics. Agatha
Second and Agatha Third. as the aris.
tocratic Agatha Sixth was a late riser
and had not yet come downstairs.
No. Vincent" | said. lit won't do.
Flirt with all the AEathas. IL you must,
but when II comes TO the secretary. let
her alone. To say nothing OF what is
due her. think of the time you're
wasting. We have only six weeks
think of it-siN weeks to make a try
for twenty millions of dollars,"
You forgot to say that wife goes
along with the filthy lucre." he said.
and somehow I felt uncomfortable.
feel uncomfortable. II makes me quite
angry-he's no better than the rest OF
US. but he's so confoundedly innocent
about some things.
l was going to explain to him that
he needn't speak as IL he thought that
were the sort OF a man to marry a
girl merely for her money-when his
face lighted and he spoke more ration.
ally.
Cad" he said. what a rare lark II
would be to toss up a coin and ta!I a
chance at it. Six to one only-you'd
have a good show to win OUT"
How foolish you are, Vincent" |
responded. Suppose you took a
chance at it. as you say. and Just pro
posed to any one of them. when you
had made no attempt TO win her
wouldn't she know you were fortune
hunting? And IL 1t should happen tC
be the real Agatha sne'd refuse you
on that account because 1t would de
feat the object of her fathers will: and
II 1t were not the real Agatha sheG
refuse you. too. because she'd know
she had no fortune to give you"
of course said Vincent, signing
you're right about that. But | tel
you, Archibald. I'm not flirting with
Miss Marsh. She's an awfully sensible
little girl, and l go to her for advice
about the course I'm pursuing with tn,
Agathas. | need announcement. yoI
know: it's all such a beastly mess
One doesn't know with which one o
the attractive young ladies TO fall II
love. Its so difficult to decide will
that twenty millions lowering in tbs
background. Just think, Arch, wha
the governor would say II his pennilcsa
younger son should bring that amour
into the family. And the daughter o
baroness. too. 1t would be such 1