The Ordway new era., 1911-01-06

why then she refused mel" he said.
she told me II were the last man on
earth she wouldn't marry me! 1t was
very cruel and l can't imagine why she
should speak SO harshly!" thought
could. | fancied | understood Agatha
Sixth's reasons for behaving as she did
perfectly we'll. In the light OF her suit
ors performance the previous evening.
But OF course Terhune was still IL the
dark as to our knowledge OF that cpl.
sode.
Cad. Wilfred!" he went on in de-
spairing tones. Think what I've lost!"
Yes" | agreed. Dash 1t all! !
thought we had you all fixed for for
tune. Arch!"
But he didn't appear to hear me. for
he dropped despondently into an arm
chair. repeating as II to himself.
Think what I've lost!"
There was a momentary silence In
the room. broken only by the dry
clearing OF Mr.. Barnes legal throat
Then I went over and put my hand on
Arch's shoulder. felt sorry for him.
and | couldn't bear to see all my
bright plans for his future end 20. l
wouldn't have 1t, in fact. Come,
GOMEZ" expostulated. Don't give up!
You must make another try! Surely
you're not going to throw away your
only chance of inheriting property
that will make you rich for life and
which should be yours by right Of your
aunt's promise. for the lack Of little
spirit! Or II you do. its not like you.
that's all!"
But my words did not succeed In
arousing him.
"Oh, az to that" he said. speaking
from the depths Of his misery and the
arm chair. "as to having another try.
look at the clock!" looked. 1t was
half after twelve.
i Times up at one. Isn't 1t. Barnes!"
he asked. taking notice Of that worthy
barrister for the first time.
Il believe 1t is. Mr.. Terhune, re-
piled Mr.. Barnes. as indiferently as II
1t were only question OF boiling
breakfast eggs.
You see." said Arch. looking at me
despairingly. there's no use talking oi
urging her again. | could do nothing
at all with her In that short time. even
II | we're inclined to. It's a pity. oi
course I rather fancied that property
OF my aunt's. An income Of $50. 900
year Is a good deal to lose at one blow
Especially when the blow Is unexpect
ed. BY love, you know. she did hall
way promise to marry me. after all!
Can't think why she changed bel
mind" But Of course | could think
and | didn't quite see how Terhun<
could call the blow unexpected.
You know | warned you that yol
were paying far too much attention t
Agatha First" l said. but you woult
indulge your fondness for Irritation ant
you see the result-an upset kettle o.
fish," II was all the reference to the
scene in the drawing room Of the nigh
before that intended to make. Ate,
all. as in the case Of my discovery o
the red automobile In the wood. we hat
seen what we were not meant to have
seen And until Arch came to me ant
spoke Of that event himself and aske<
my advice. my hurt friendship mad,
me resolve not to demand his conn
dence or thrust advice upon him. lie
him keep his secret II that was hi,
wish. I would not intrude upon It
though his reticence pained me ever 81
much.
IL couldn't very we'll help it," he re
piled. Upon my word couldn't. Tn,
girls very fetching. you know. and sh,
seemed to take such an extraordinar!
fancy to me that I couldn't help re
spending. Agatha Sixth. on the othe
hand. had hardly word to say Il
mel"
"Of course mott" | said hotly. "Th'
more attention you paid to Agath,
First, the less Miss Lawrence paid Il
you. That was quite natural. You't
asked the girl to marry you. you know
and she couldn't understand why yo,
should want to have anything to d.
with anyone else"
Yes, | did ask the girl to marry me
and she chose to keep me waiting fo
an answer" replied Arch impatiently
which kept everything at standstill
| couldn't go ahead till she said tn,
word. and as time hung heavy on MI
hands"
You made love to some one else
Deuced clever" I interposed sarcasti
cally.
We'll, couldn't make love to he1
very well. could I. when she wouldn'
say positively whether she wanted ms
to or not? She kept me at arm.
length all the time!"
oTo BE CONTINuEDD
|