The Ordway new era., 1910-11-18

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clared It to be her opinion that an
attachment that couldn't stand the
fire Of little conventional couuetry,
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 Arch's conduct In
that way.
| However that may bo, 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 rupabout
around. Agatha Sixth rose slowly from
the little rocker where she had sal
through all the talk az II she were
not at all concerned in It, and clench
ing her sewing in one small hand
| walked past us In silence toward thu
| house.
Are you going to get ready, dear?.
ventured my wife to the small rigid
back. I'VE start right away, yov
know"
There was moments silence. ant
then at the door she turned the BRAY
est little face toward US you eve,
saw.
"Yes." she said sweetly. I'm goint
to get ready. You needn't think
shall stay at home Just because he's
not going" The hes" was empha
sized. I'D rather 60 without him any
way!" And she vanished into tn,
house.
My wife and I stared at each other
"Well. what do you think Of that?'
l exclaimed.
II think she's a little heroine!" th'
secretary-I mean Dearest-answered
"As for that mani" she stopped. bur
her expression was such that wa
glad Terhnne wasn't there to see it.
well. 1t Is q shame!" l conceded
"He ought not to treat the poor littl,
girl SO! What can he be about. any
way7 II he doesn't take care he'll
jolly well fall between two stools!"
YES. II you mean the girls BY
Stools" agreed Dearest. "and serve
him right, too-the old firt! But
Wilfred." and she fixed me with look
that I secretly trembled 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 II
he were in disgrace. was also our
guest. and we had packed him of in
the little runnbout 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
togs. with Agatha Sixth and Leslie
Miss Endicott-to use her proper
name once in a while-to Join us be-
fore starting on our trip to see the
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 solicNcus.
II wonder why Miss Endicott
doesn't come-she's SO SLOW" he re-
marked for the twentieth time. at
least.
But 1t wasn't until had quite fin
ished fussing with the machine. a six
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-
But to our astonishment she did
| not wear SO much as linen duster
over the white frock she had worn
that morning to indicate that she
intended to motor with us that day.
Good gracious. Aggie. dear" ex.
postulated Dearest from the ton.
neau where she and Agatha Sixth
were already ensconced. aren't you
going to 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 to-"
Decided not to-" echoed her host.
ess, n little taken aback. land why.
please?" While Freer added a drawl.
ing. 20. say. Miss Endicott. that's
| n shame! We can't go without you.
you know" to her expostulation.
NO. can't CO." explained Agatha
You see-you see" she passed q
strong brown hand across a
fine sun-burnt forehead. II don't feel
very well. I've the worst headache!
Knocking that ball around in the sun
so long this morning. guess" she
added. looking severely at the young
man from the village. much as II 1t
we're his fault.