The Sentinel. [volume] (Trenton, N.J.) 1880-1882, 1880-10-16

lie salu; Out the IacG Is the Duchess OF
Cranberry is here, and she's quite on
the qui vive. Some one has told her
that the original of the picture is actu-
ally in the room, and, of course, it would
be everything to secure her for the Goth.
and"
Here I interrupted him rather rudely,
but he is such bore.
81 WONDER l said-but here l was
in my turn interrupted. Two gentle
men on enc side, two on the other.
tapped Captain Winton on each shoul-
der.
"Wil you kindly introduce mep" said
one.
And mep" said the other.
"And me?"
"And meP"
Little Winton stared, but did as he
was bid.
Lord Snappington - Mrs. Redcar
Colonel Fotheringham-Mrs. Redcar j;
Sir John De Tabley = Mrs. Redcar ;
Major Beaulieu-Mrs. Redcar. Beau
lieu, think you know Charley Redcar ;
he was one of oursP"
In right of this acquaintance, Major
Beaulieu walked on my right hand j;
Lord Snappington fought hard to keep
his place on my left, but the crowd,
which persistently followed in my wake,
would not let him. Hardly any CONVEX
sation was possible. At the first con-
venient pause, little Winton darted for
ward:
my dear Mrs. Redcar, how sly you
have been! And Charley, too, never
breathed word of this! Now, you
must come at once to the duchess; I
have her positive orders" And, be-
fore I could take in what he meant,
was being introduced to very large
lady, with high nose, and most
charming manner
i am so pleased to know you, Mrs.
Redcar," she said. 81 am obliged to
hurry away; but you will come to me
on the Goth, won't you? haven't
time to say half the pretty things l
ought; but really, with out fattery, it
isn't equal! There, now, I'll not say
another word. Stay; could you com e
to me this EVENING" It's shocsingly
informal. but you dent look formal.
Eli? What?"-in answer to whisper
from little Winton-" of course, Cap
tain Redcar, by all means-that is, if
he will give me the pleasure. have
to run away--so sorry My carriage,
Captain Winton, if you please. Good
bye" And, with a pretty amile and a
bow, she vanished.
It was eli so sudden | felt quite
stunned. 81 don't understand il
l said. Il don't know her. or what
she wants with me-"
"Thet's the Duchess of Cranberry,
She's great frierd of Masses, and her
wonderful party is to be on the GOTH"
"But what does she want with me?"
l repeated.
They all smiled, and Winton, who
had just come back, said "Capitalr'
He volunteered to 60 and look for Char
ley, and suggested to one of the gentle
men to see about my carriage.
"The Duchess is delighted" he said,
land thanked me so much for the in
PRODUCTION. No wonder, it makes the
whole thing complete. Didn't do well
about CharleyP 1t wouldn't do at all
for him to he in the background. But.
listen. | have hint for. your private
ear. / shouldn't be st all surprised if
certain person is there this evening"
"Wherep"
oh! at the Duchess's, of course. |
just give you the hint. Throw over
any engagement, do you hearP And
mind you bring Charley" And with a
grave face he went.
For a minute or two felt inclinedto
cry. l had had no luncheon, and this
extraordinary adventure puzzled me.
looked round at my escort of four
gentlemen. 81 should like to go home, >
I said.
Lord Snapplngton Immediately Oh
fered me his arm. Major Beaulieu
brought my parasol-the other two ran
for my carriage. 81 haven't any, in
deed" went on; 81 think you take
me for some one else"
At this they all laughed, and Lord
Snappington said would l honor him
by making use of hisP He didn't want
it for the rest of the afternoon, if
liked to drive. He was so pressing that
really couldn't refuse to go to Inver.
ness Terrace in it. although I hardly ex.
pected the wonderful footman to know
where it was.
declare when | found myself in the
carriage quite alone l rubbed my eyes
and pinched my fingers. l could hardly
help thinking that had fallen asleeI
and had dreamt all this, but just as
was pinching myself hard saw Charley
and Matilda standing on the pavement
in Piccadilly, looking very hot and IN.
| comfortable. put my head out of the
window and called to the grand coach
man to stop.
The man looked atme very wickedly
J