Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-10-20

anxiety, not to say surprise, that dur
ing the last day or two Terhune and
Agatha First had struck up an ex-
traordfnary intimacy. Extraordinary
of course in the light of the affair be-
tween Terhune and Agatha Sixth.
though of course Agatha First could
not have been aware of that. I had
told Dearest when We had first OBJ
served this new stake in our match
making venture, that it was explained
by Agatha Sixth's action in delaying
her answer when Terhune had pro-
posed. Feeling that things were now
up to her" as my American brought
up wife would say, the old boy had re-
solved to let matters pretty much
alone. And l couldn't blame him.
thought his friendship with Agatha
First rather a judgment on Agatha
Sixth for playing with him in that
manner. But not so DEAREST When
had advanced this idea she had
withered me with a look and had de-
clared it to be her opinion that an
attachment that couldn't stand the
fire of a little conventional coQuetry,
which she thought one of the most in
alienable of women's rights, was not
worth having, and that I could not
excuse or explain Archs conduct in
that way
However that may be, when Agatha
First and young Freer had romped out
Of sight in the direction of the garage
for the fun of telling the men them
selves to send the electric runabout
around, Agatha Sixth rose slowly from
the little rocker where she had sat
through all the talk as If she were
not at all concerned in it, and clench-
ing her sewing in one small hand,
walked past US in silence toward the
house
Are you going to get ready, dear?"
ventured my wife to the small rigid
back I'VE start right away, you
know"
There was a moments silence, and
then at the door she turned the bray
est little face toward US you ever
saw.
Yes" she said sweetly. I'm going
to get ready. You needn't think 1
shall stay at home just because he's
not going" The hes" was empha-
sized, I'D rather go without him any
way!" And she vanished into the
house.
My wife and I stared at each other.
We'll, what do you think of that?"
[ exclaimed
Il think she's little heroine!" the
secretary mean Dearest-answered
CAS- for that mani" she stopped, but
her expression was such that was
glad Terhune wasn't there to see it.
We'll, it is a shame!" l conceded.
He ought not to treat the poor little
girl SO! What can he be about, any
way? If he doesn't take care he'll
jolly well fall between two stools!"
Yes, if you mean the girls By
Stools agreed Dearest, "and serve
him right, too-the old flirt! But
Wilfred,' and she fixed me with a look
that l secretly trembIed before be-
cause it means an unpleasant duty to
be performed by me, you must find
out what he's up to-" But before I
could reply we were in the midst of
hurried farewells to Terhune, who if
he were in disgrace, was also our
guest, and we had packed him off in
the little runabout to catch his train,
without a word of rebuke.
Not half an hour later we were
standing on the steps of the side en-
trance to the castle in our automobile
toys, with Agatha Sixth and Leslie
FTeer, waiting for Agatha First, or
Miss Endicott-tO use her proper
name once in while-to join us be-
cricket Freer, a pale-eyed, sandy
haired young chap, was enveloped in
one of the coats that go with the ma
chine for the convenience Of chance
guests, and was promising us that he
would be quite comfortable, though
no one seemed particularly solicitous.
Il wonder why Miss Endicott
doesn't come-she's so SLOW" he re-
marked for the twentieth time, at
least.
But it wasn't until I had cutie fin
ished fussing with the machine, six
cylindered touring car, having gone
over every part of her with the chauf-
feur, and was beginning to get bit
impatient, that the young lady who
was responsible for the delay appear
ed in the hall entrar g
But to our establishment she did
not wear so much as a linen buster
over the white frock she had worn
that morning to indicate that she
intended to motor with US that day.
Good gracious, Aggie, dearI" ex-
postulated Dearest from the ton
neau where she and Agatha Sixth
we're already ensconced, aren't you
going 70 wear anything warmer than
that? It's cold motoring, you know,
even in June"
But I'm not going, Agatha" re-
piled the girl pleasantly, I've de
cided not tot"
Decided not to-" echoed her host
ess, a little taken aback, and why,
please?" While Freer added a drawl-
ing, 80, | say. Miss Endicott. that's
a shame, We can't go without you,
you know!" to her expostulation.
No, can't CO." explained Agatha
First, coming down step or two.
You see-you see" she passed
strong brown hand across
fine. sun-burnt forehead. 81 don't feel
very well. I've the worst headache!
Knocking that ball around in the sun
so long this morning, l guess" she
added. looking severely at the young
man from the village, much as if it
were his fault.
(TO BE CONTINUED)