The Ordway new era., 1910-12-30

or Of its Importance I suppose, she
had put on my favorite white linen
dress with a lot of lace or crochet or
something Of that sort let in, and I
toll you she looked wonderful good.
Cad! It's nice to have a wife!
But as l was saying. we were all
OF US under rather unusual strain of
excitement. could see as we left the
breakfast table that old Arch had be.
gun TO have misgivings a. to the sue.
cess Of his suit. and was looking very
serious as the realisation began to
dawn upon him that between break.
fast and one o'clock he would have to
put the decisive question. When he
had confided to me last evening that
he intended to ask Agatha Sixth to.
to wait until the last possible minute
to try his fate. In order to humor
Agatha Sixth's coquettish desire to
keep him waiting for his answer. But
he spoke then with a good deal of
confidence as to the favorable nature
Of that answer. while now doubt and
anxiety seemed to be his only allies.
] was sorry for him. though I couldn't
help wondering II his Irritation and
disloyal conduct in regard to Agatha
First did not make his refusal Just
punishment, and ! surmised that he
had begun to wonder himself II the
crowning ofYense OF last night had not
become known. In any event. trou-
bled was no word for his expression
as we separated In the breakfast
ever deserved his refusal might be. I
couldn't help wishing that such a
calamity would not overtake him. i
think the world OF the old boy and l
want to see him as happily married
as am-though OF course that's not
literally possible. as there's only one
Dearest In the world.
For myself. ! followed my wife out
upon the veranda and began to tell
hor my apprehensions for my friend.
Look here. Agatha" said. II want
to know what Terhune's prospects
are. What chance has he with Agatha
Sixth now? Any At alf" Al have
said. had not yet had an opportu-
nifty Of speaking privately with her.
and she had been with Agatha Sixth
all night and was Of course In her
confidence. expected to hear how
stood with Miss lawrence
that moment and with the fullest de-
tail. was therefore as disasreeably
surprised ~ I've ever been in my life.
by Jove. whom my darling eyed me
coldly and impersonally and remarked.
What do you want to know for?"
why. because I'm interested In
Terhune!" l cried, . little injured. II
want him to succeed in inheriting his
aunt's property Of course! What else?"
What else indeed?" retorted my
wife scornfully. III you don't know
what else." emphasizing the word
know" II can't waste any more time
talking to you!" Then. as she caught
my look OF utter astonishment, 20,
you men! You men!" she added.
shaking her head at me. you're all
alike. after all! But I thought better
Of you. Wilfred!"
Thought better Of met But what
about?" I queried.
Have you forgotten?" she asked
me. without answering my question.
Have you forgotten last summer. not
quite year ago. when you and Mr..
Terhune first came through the fields
of Wye and stayed at Castle Wyck.
hon with us all-my aunt Mrs. Ar
mistead and the six other Agathas?"
Rather mott" I exclaimed But
what's that got to do with the present
case? What do you mean. -dear?"
Don't You remember" she persist
ed. still ignoring my question. her
voice thrilling with tears. "how you
yourself behaved at that time? Have
you forgotten why 1t was that you
wanted to marry me?"
because I loved you!" burst out,
as vehemently as II it were indeed
that wonderful self-same moment
when | first had asked her What
elSe?'
CTO BE CONTINCED)