The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser., 1910-12-16
CHAPTER v.
enRlNH1M ann AfHT4IH

The Castle Wyckhoff house-party
were assembled: on the east terrace,
and it was the fourth day of the ten
which were to decide Archs fate.
Arch himself, with a countenance as
anxious and troubled as if he had not
already obtained a guarantee of good
faith from Agatha Sixth which was in
all probability to insure his inheri-
tance for him, was leaning gloomily
against the broad stone railing of the
porch and gazing somberly at the
white peacocks that strutted in self
conscious magnifcence> about tie
close cut lawn. Agatha Sixth, who
should undoubtedly have been at his
side, considering. that there was be-
tween them something in the nature
of an engagement understood, was
seated as far away from him as pos
sible in low rocker at my wife's feet,
across the terrace from him.
AS for Agatha First, she was knock
ing golf ball around on the velvet
lawn and absolutely ignoring the
humble attentions Of young Leslie
Freer, the rector's, son, whom we had
at length. succeeded in foisting upon
her as cavalier.
l thought the party"was too dull for
ten o'clock in the morning of rirpin'
June day.. and l. threw the cigarette
I'd been smoking over the railing and
set myself to rousing them all to a
more becoming state of jollity.
Il say, you people!" cried cheerily,
what do you want to do today? 1t
couldn't be finer weather. What do
you say to a drive over to Northbury
to see the cricket? Northbury and
Lowshire are going to play"
These were two crack teams and
expected to extract enthusiasm from
I knew he was as keen on cricket as l
But he only made me the most indif
ferent kind of assent while none OF
the others took up the idea at all.
| looked rather reprOachfully al
Dearest She usually backs up any
propositions of mine, but I saw thai
she was busy explaining the intrica
cies of some stitch or other to Agatha
Sixth and forgaVe her.
So | tried again.
Don't you think it would be sport p
l asked. walking over to her and put
ting my hand on her shoulder. cts
such bully day for a drive!"
Yes" she cried, turning to me at
.enee, all animation. 81 do think il
would be sport! Come, let's all get
ready and go. When's the match
played?"
Eleven thirty" l told her, and
shall we motor or take the drag?"
'Oh, motor!" she said, "by al
means, Driving's too slow" But
Just as we had succeeded In fetching
Agatha First and Freer from tbs
lawn and had won a lukewarm assent
to the plan from them and a more en-
thusiastic one from Arch, who had
begun to realize In spite of his anXi
cites that cricket was cricket after
all. something occurred which changed
the formation of our party most IN
eLpectedly.
That something was a wire for Ter
hume, stating that his presence was
absolutely necessary in London thai
day and signed by the head partner O
the business firm with which Terhunt
was connected
20, what a nuisance!" said my wife
when Terhune had informed us il
general terms of the necessity for his
immediate departure for town.
what a hanged shame," was my
more forceful comment. Agatha SiXtI
said nothing at all, but Agatha FRS
came forward with more show of in
terest and feeling than I'd seen hel
exhibit oyer anything since the begin
ming Of her stay with us.
You won't be gone long, will you
Mr.. Terhune?" she asked anXious!y.
20, no; l can be back for dinner,
said Arch, trying as l thought not Il
look pleased by her solicitude.