Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-11-04
lieu, think you know Charley Redcar
he WAS oua of ourap0

lieu, I think you know Charley Redcar;
he was one of oursp"
In right of this acquaintance, Major
Beaulieu walked on my right hand;
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 conver-
sation was possible. At the first con-
venient pause, little Winton darted for
ward:
"My dear Mrs. Redcar, how sly you
have beenl And Charley, too, never
breathed word of this! Now, you
must come at once to the duchess; l
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 a most
charming manner.
"I am so pleased to know you, Mrs.
Redcar," she said. II am obliged to
hurry away; but you will come TO me
on the Goth, won't youP / haven't
time to say half the pretty things l
ought; but really, without hattery, it
isn't equal! There, now, I'll no soy
another word. Stay; could you come
to me this EVENING" It's shockingly
informal, but you don't look formal.
EhP WhatP"-in answer to a 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 pretty amile and
bow, she vanished.
1t was all so sudden / felt quite
stunned. "I don't understand it,"
said. 4 don't know her. or what
she wants with me-"
"That's the Duchess of Cranberry,
She's great friend of Masses, and her
wonderful party is to be on the Goth"
"But what does she want with mep"
repeated.
They all smiled, and Winton, who
had just come back, said "Capitalm
He volunteered to go and look for Char
ley, and suggested TO one of the gentle
men to see about my carriage.
1.-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. l have hint for your private
ear. l shouldn't be at all surprised if
n certain person is there this evening"
"Wheree"
"Oh! ut the Duchess's, of course.
just give you the hint. Throw over
any engagement. do you hear? And
mind you bring Charley" And with n
grave face he went.
For minute or two I felt inclined to
cry. / had had no luncheon, and this
extraordinary adventure puzzled me.
l looked round at my escort of four
gentlemen. 81 should like 10 90 home"
| seid.
Lord Snappington Immediately of
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 / honor him
by making use OF his1 He didn't want
1t for the rest OF the afternoon, If
liked TO drive. He was so pressing that
| really couldn't refuse TO 90 to Inver-
ness Terrace in It, although l hardly ex-
pected the wonderful footman TO know
where 1t was.
declare when l found myself in the
carriage quite alone / rubbed my eyes
and pinched my fingers. / could hardly
help thinking that 1 had fallen asleep
and had dreamt all this, but Just as I
was pinching myselfhard saw Charley
and Matilda standing on the pavement
in Piccadilly, looking very hot and uu-
comfortable. put my head out OF the
window and called to the grand coach
man to stop.
The man looked at me very wickedly,
but ] didn't care. jumped out, and
never felt more pleased than when | got
hold of Charley's arm and the fine car
riage had driven away empty.
Anything like the amazement OF
Charley and Matilda. when they heard
my adventure, never saw. They
couldn't make head nor tail of it any
more than myself: only one thing was
clear to me, that must get home and
have something to eat. / was so faint
with excitement and hunger. We all
made up our minds that 1t was mis-
take of some kind. We wen. carefully
through the catalogue, but there was
nothing there. Charley proposed rnn-
ming into Mrs. Smithers mt No. 10 (she
sets up to be artistic), hut Matilda said
no-not on any account-the thing was
to keep our own counsel. Matilda was
all for our going TO the Duchess. She
a.s As.fA