The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1880-11-04

made up our minds that it was . mis-
take of some kind. We went carefully
through the catalogue, but there was
nothing there. Charley proposed run
ming into Mrs. Smithers at No. 10 (she
sets up to be artistic) but Matilda said
no-nOt on any accountable thing was
to keep our own counsel. Matilda was
all for our going to the Duchess. She
said it didn't matter, mistake or no mis-
take. She had asked me to her house
in my own proper person and under
my own proper name, and there was no
imposition or forcing myself in on my
side. Charley said the same, and added
that at all events it. would be fun-so
we went. Charley burst out laughing
in the carriage-he said his god
fathers wife would get a fit when
she heard that we had been to
Cranberry House. But l think he got
nervous when we we're actually inside. I
know felt ready to sink into the earth
when we walked up the grand staircase
through lines of powdered footmen. It
seemed to me so utterly absurd. The
first person saw was Lord Swapping
ton near the door. He seemed like an
old friend; and presently Colonel Beau
lieu joined us. He seemed to know
Charley very well, although Charley
says they haven't done more than nod
these ten years; but he was very friendly,
and asked us to drive down on his coach
to the Orleans next day. Twas very
pleased. for Charley had been wishing
to 60 and-so had l.
After time little Winton came up in
a great fuss. and said the Duchess was
asking for me, and that I was to go into
the boudoir. didn't, of course, know
where that was, but Lord Snappington
gave me his arm and said he would take
me there. As we walked along, heard
great many people whispering to-
gether: "There she is, on Lord Snap
pington's arm" was dying to know
what it all meant, aud would have
| asked Lord Snappington then and there,
only that Matilda's last words had been:
"Mind you ask no questions. just take
everything as it comes.' Still 1 think
| would have said something, but just
then we got into the boudoir, and there
was the same lady had seen in the
morning, only looking much grander,
and with the most lovely diamonds on
her head. She had about twenty other
ladies and gentlemen with her. and she
was talking to Parsonage whom 1
recognized at once, and my knees
knocked together with fright.
''Oh! here is Mrs. Redcar!' cried the
Duchess; ''now we have her we shall be
all right"
That certain Person put a glass in his
eye and looked at me:
"Fond of swinging, Mrs. Redcar?"
much in the manner Charley would have
said it. And then every one began to
laugh. l laughed, too, although l had
no idea why.
'.Do you swing much?'' the Parsonage
went on. still surveying me through the
glass, earnestly.
hadn't swung since was a child,
and l thought it a very odd question:;
but, before had time to answer, the
Duchess struck in.
my swingiug-party comes off on the
goth, and have given directions to
have a rose-colored swing put up for
Mrs. Redcar."
There was general chorus of appre-
baton, and really began to think I
had got among a set of lunatics. Just
then some music began in the next
room, and there was a move toward
it. The certain Person fingered a mo-
ment:
Duchess! 1 shall certainly come to
your swinging party on the Goth for the
pleasure of seeing Mrs. Redcar in the
rose-colored swing" He smiled pleas
antly at me as he spoke, did this Great
Man, and strolled lazily out OF the
boudoir.
When he was gone every one crowd
ed round me. I'm sure l made twenty
acquaintances and had twenty invita-
tions in as many minutes.
whirl of pleasure. Charley enjoyed it
quite as much as did, and we both
agreed that. after all good company is
nicer than and quite as cheap as, any
other.
In the middle of the night Charley
awoke me by another loud fit of laugh
ter. 81 can't help it, Beauty" he said,
"but can't get over godfather's wife
when she hears of our being on easy
terms with the best in the land"
1t was most surprising. There was
certainly no doubt on that point.
The next morning we had just done
breakfast when, to our surprise, Char
ley's godfather's wife drove up. Matilda
had just time to give us word of eau
ton when she came in, all laces and
ribbons, bangles and chains-so unlike
the Duchess. She made straight at me.
"My DEAR" she said, and kissed me on
both cheeks; chow sly of you;' and
then she kissed me again
Just then there came another knock
at the door, and one of Charley's uncles
Ga very great manufacturer, with works
at the East End) was announced. He
was good man, and liked him, but
his face was extra long this morning.
He took Charley and me aside:
els this true?' he said. and he thrust
a copy OF the Whitehall RevieD into my
hand, pointing to this paragraph:
II am glad to tell my readers that
the charming original of Monsieur
Henri Masses famous picture of Glove
in SWING is among us. She is not q
Frenchwoman, but English born and
bred-Mrs. Redcar, wife of Captain
Charles Redcar. late of the Tenth Regi.
ment; and we may well be proud Of
our lovely countrywoman. This puts
an end to the countless stories which
have been floating about since the pict.
ure appeared. It is to the Duchess Of
Cranberry (Monsieur Masses old
friend) that we owe this addition to the
ranks of the Beauties. Mrs. Redcar ap.
pears under the Duchess wing. She
made her debut at the Cranberry House
soiree last night, and was hugely ad.
mired."
So much for the truth of report.
After all, then. there was no harm in
it, and although at first I didn't like
sailing under false colors, still Matilda
persuaded me it would be foolish to
make q fuss; had only to hold my
tongue and let the fashionable world
and tho fashionable newspapers tell a.
many lies as they pleased. did so.
became the fashion. After the Ouch
ess' swinging party on the goth of June,
1879, my position was assured. No