American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1880-11-06

room. 1 always think tho lunch is
| about the bost thing ut the pictures.
| But they seemed never to be coming.
| For some time | amused myself looking
at the people; they were a shifting mass
of faces and dresses. and 1 was greatly
diverted. BY and by l began to OBJ
serve that the crowd when they came
to certain picture stood there, forming
n regular line, as they did for Miss
Thompson. 1t was awfully hot, and |
had taken off my veil aud pushed up
my hat, for my forehead was burning.
Suddenly noticed that great many
people turned their backs upon the
picture, and looked at me, and then
faced round again to the canvass wall.
In my character of Beauty i have been
all my life pretty well accustomed to
the sort of homage conveyed by what is
called ''hard staring" SO that it must
have been an undue amount of it which
attracted my attention; but surely had
never seen any like this. Groups of
two, three, six at time would stand
before me. calmly surveying me, and. L
could gather by their gestures. talking
of me. But 1 didn't hear what they
said. 1 became very anxious to see the
picture which attracted such attention.
but the block round it was too great.
The next best thing was to ask for in
formation. 1t was some time before l
could pitch upon a person who seemed
fitting for this purpose. At last very
quiet-looking lady came near me. She
dressed her. MAY ask you to tell
me the name of the picture at which
every one is lookingp" She turned to
ha hut oil of
hurried on, and 1 saw her Il few min
utes afterward pointing me out to some
of her friends. L felt extremely uncom-
Portable. l looked about anxiously for
Charley and Matilda, but there was no
sign of either. Then l did a very fool
ish thing; l got up to 60 and look for
them, principally to escape from the
numberless eyes fixed upon me.
To my surprise the crowd made way
at once, and, as walked, followed me,
pressing very closely upon me, but not
discourteously. I could hear some of
the remarks, which were of the most
fattering description. Just then l saw
in the distance brother officer of
Charley's, a certain Captain Winton.
He was hanger-on and toady of the
great, and a most conceited, tiresome
little creature. disliked him, although
I'm bound to say he never absolutely
cut US.
He now stopped to speak to me; of
course, he was politely Indifferent as to
the loss of my party.
"Iwould help you to look for Char
ley," he said; "but the fact is the
Duchess of Cranberry is here, and she's
quite on the qui rire. Some one has
told her that the original of the picture
is actually in the room, and, of course,
it would be everything to secure her for
the goth, and"
Here interrupted him rather rudely,
but he is such a bore.
81 wonder" 1 said-but here was
in my turn interrupted. Two gentle
men on one side, two on the other.
tapped Captain Winton on each Shout
der.
"Will you kindly introduce meP"
said one.
"And mep'' said the other.
"And mep'
"And me?"
Little Winton stared, but did as he
was bid.
Lord Snappington-Mrs. Redcar;
Colonel Fotheringham-Mrs Redcar;
Sir John De Tabley-Mrs. Redcar;
Major Beaulieu-Mrs. Redcar. Beau
lieu, think you know Charley Redcar;
he was one of ours?'
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 con-
was possible. At the first
pause, little Winton darted
forward:
"My dear Mrs. Redcar, how sly you
have been! And Charley, too, never
Dreathed word of this! Now, you
must come at once to the Duchess; l
have her positive ORDERS" And, be-
lore could take in what he meant, | |
vas being introduced to very large |
ady, with a high nose and most |
charming manner.
81 am SO pleased to know you, Mrs. |
aedcar,' she said. 81 am obliged TO
hurry away; but you will come to me
IN the goth, won't you? l haven't time
% say half the pretty things l ought;
out really, without flattery, it isn't
equal! There, now, Ill not say anoth-
n word. Stay; could you come to me
his EVENING" Its shockingly informal,
,ut you don't look formal. Eth? What?"
in answer to whisper from little
course, Captain Redcar.
~ all means-that is, if he will give me
he pleasure. l. have to run away
20 sorry. My carriage, Captain Win
on, if you please. Good-by." And,
With pretty smile and bow, she van
shed.
1t was all SO sudden 1 felt quite
TUNED. II don't understand it." 1
aid. 81 don't know her, or what she
wants with me.''
THAT'S the Duchess of Cranberry.
'he's a great friend of Masses, and
Ter wonderful party is to be on the
0th.n
"But what does she want with me?"
repeated.
They all smiled, and Winton. who
lad just come back, said " Capitalr'
lie volunteered to go and look for
charley, and suggested to one of the
.entlemen to see about my carriage.
"The Duchess is delighted" he said,
and thanked me SO much for the in
No wonder, it makes the
vhole thing complete. Didn't do well
bout Charley? 1t wouldn't do at all
or him to be in the background. But,
sten, l have a hint for your private
ar. shouldn't be at all surprised if
certain Person is there this evening""
Where?''
"Oh! at the Duchess, of course
just give you the hint. Throw over
ny engagement, do you hearP And
hind you bring Charley" And with a
rave face he went.
For minute or two felt inclined to
ry. 81 had had no luncheon, and
his extraordinary adventure puzzled
he, l looked round at nv escort of