The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1910-11-11
CHAPTER v.

The Castle Wyckhoff house-party
were assembled on the east terrace,
and 1t was the fourth day of the ten
which we're to decide Arch's 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 the
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 DOS
sible in low rocker at my wife's feet,
across the terrace from him.
AS for Agatha First, she was knock
ing a 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 a rippin
June day, and I threw the cigarette
I'd been smoking over the railing and
set myself to rousing them all to a
more becoming state of jollity.
81 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 l
expected to extract enthusiasm from
Arch If not from the girls, because
] knew he was as keen on cricket as l.
But he only made me the most indif-
ferent kind of assent while noRe Of
the others took UP the idea at all.
I looked rather reproachfully at
Dearest. She usually backs up any
of mine. but I saw that
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 SPORTY" |
asked, walking over to her and put |
ting my hand on her shoulder. tits
such bully day for a drive!"
"Yes!" she cried, turning to me at !
Once, all animation. II do think it
would be sport! Come, let's all get
ready and 60 When's the match
olayed?"
Eleven thirty" l told her, land
hall we motor or take the drag?"
"Oh, motorl" she said, "by all
neansl Driving's too slow" But
ust as we had succeeded in fetching
Agatha First and Freer from the
avn and had won a lukewarm assent
o the plan from them and more en-
husiastic one from Arch, who had
Iegun to realize in spite of his anxi-
ties that cricket was cricket after
II, something occurred which changed
he formation of our party most un-
xpectedly.
Adb oOAlSLhlu6 was u WIG IUF 1GT- |
une, stating that his presence was
necessary in London that
ay and signed by the head partner of
ne business firm with which Terhune
las connected.
20, what nuisance!" said my wife
hen Terhune had informed us in
eneral terms of the necessity for his
IMMEDIATE departure for town.
What a hanged shamei" was my
ore forceful comment. Agatha Sixth
lid nothing at all, but Agatha First
lme forward with more show OF in
rest and feeling than I'd seen her
Lhibit over anything since the begin
ng Of her stay with us.
You won't be gone long, will you,
T. Terhune?" she asked anxiously.
20, no; can be back for dinner" !
Id Arch, trying as ! thought, not to I
Ok pleased BY her solicitude.