The Marshall republican., 1909-01-01

and sagacity which had led to the dis
cover of so many important clews,
that ] was rather disappointed when
Vincent received my disclosure with
Indifference.
AT 1t again. Arch" he said, rather
gloomily, as he sat cross-legged before
my fire in extreme d%eshabille, and
smoking his vile pipe. What Is the
use? l should think you'd get tired
of pursuing the elusive gold. | admire
your patience, my boy, but | don't take
any more stock in this 'clew' than l
that you have now fastened suspicion
upon each n Of the six fair ladies'
who have been christened Agatha !
marvel at the sanguine temperament
which permits you to place so much
importance on this last find of yours"
He stopped, and | answered him rather
sarcastically, as | didn't like the gen.
tie ridicule of his tone oil his lack Of
enthusiasm.
1T seems to me-" I said, that CON
sidering how you've spent your time,
my dear boy, you are a very poor per.
son to look down upon my efforts to
turn this adventure of ours to some
account. The fact that | have kept
my eyes open and used those faculties
OF penetration and observation of
which | am the natural possessor to
discover a piece Of information which
might prove Of great value, not only
to myself, but also to you-this fact.
I say, Vincent, ought hardly to bring
upon me your derision as we'll as your
lack of sympathy" | don't mind ad-
mitting that / really felt hurt, and
Vincent saw that | did.
He took his pipe out of his mouth
and looked at me with those big, truth.
full eyes Of his so ~penitently that l
smiled inwardly; then he gathered up
his long limbs from my hearthrug and
came and ensconced himself at my
feet as | sat In my easy chair.
wei there, then" he said, patting
my hand as If I'd been an old woman
or Q small child. Poor old Archibald,
did l make 1t cross? Well, It was a
shame!" And he smiled at me with
such a mixture of contrition and fun
that I was obliged after a short strug.
gle to laugh unconstrainedly.
We'll, | suppose you will begin OPP
creations according to your latest clew
tomorrow" he laughed at me.
I did not answer him, and silence
fell upon us. / was bordering over
the problem and did not look at Vim
cent for a long while, but when l did |
saw that his face wore a troubled,
hopeless look, and that his whole at
titude indicated profound detection.
Vincent" ] said, leaning over him,
what's the %trouble?" | had been
noticing of late that he had been sub
ject TO fits Of melancholy altogether
out OF keeping with his character, and
had come to the conclusion that he
had some trouble on his mind. |
wanted to know what II was, 30 that
l could help him. When l spoke he
turned his head slowly and looked at
me a moment solemnly, then smiled
family, the very ghost OF that splen-
aid, boyish smile OF his, so that It went
to my heart.
"Oh, Arch" he burst out, every
things wrong! But it's not my fault;
how could ! help loving herr"
was amazed. What was the boy
talking about, and who was II that he
loved?
Yes. sir" he went on; II met her
four miles from town carrying an "A
beggar-woman's bundle because I
poor old thing had hurt her foot.
when l drew up the dogcsrt and a. d
her 70 get in and take the bundl1S, ga
she shook her head, and, by Jovf go
wouldn't get in till l let the OLD She.
gar-woman get in, tool" Vincent
turned to me positively radiant. "Ah,
Terhune!" he cried, you don't know
what 1t is. / love her sol"
And as he stood there, his face
TRANSPORTED, / grasped in a moment
the meaning OF the whole thing and
the understanding struck like a blow
at my heart and / knew how dear the
welfare OF this boy was to me. Some
how, Vincent represents to me the
bhAh6n ! hight nave DSGuD Auu I'LL nut
the things l might have won. and
have lost; ne represents the first flush
OF my own youth. And now that j
had wasted those opportunities to lead
the selfish existence of the average
bachelor, l found a certain Joy in
again experiencing. those first throbs
Of living that had been mine, in the
person and life OF young Vincent
As he stood before me, glowing with
feeling, l felt that IT was for me to
wipe that look from his face, cruel as
It seemed, and my anger at the wom-
an who had 80 deceived the boy by
Withholding from him the knowledge
that she was married helped me 10 do
the deed. sfE.
Vincent" I said. slowly, do you
mean--do l gather from your rawlings
that you MISUNDERSTANDING for this
person?" had risen to my feet, and
as ! spoke vincsnt's whole express
sion changed In q fash.
Your inference Is perfectly cor
ranf ~ he catd IIia faoa uyauk x,,htk, mnd