The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-01

and Mr. Belts will take carriage togetherF
No, snapped Mrs. Whipple sayageIy, and
addressing herself to the bachelors neat back
which had been promptly turned upon her, Il
Will have nothing in common with Mr.. Belts
nothing whatever"
Then Mr. Belts, wheeling about, ordered in
an ugly Kissing voice:
Breakfast Gibson. take it quite alone"
The discreet landlord obeyed both orders, but
stood, the picture of CONSERVATION, when, in
separate carriages and without deigning glance
at each other, his two old and respectable pa
irons departed
There was certain embarrassment in the
manner of Edith Stevensons friends when, as
usual, she came to seat herself where the band
could be heard. But she was in excellent
spirits, chatted frankly with everybody and
appeared TO observe no absences. Gradually
the breathing became free and the smiles less
mechanical; though to be sure something like
an electric shock passed through the circle
when Edith very kindly remarked to Miss Fox:
You look pale. Was your rest broken last
nichtP' The good spinster redeemed and Edith
added pleasantly: 'Ah! it was only my fancy.
You have quite a color now"
Miss Agatha Carter sat apart aud whispered
one last epigram to Duncan Scott LAS Kant
instrncts US, The falsehood of some particular
should not blind us to a general TRUTH"
II say-aw-" replied Scott, II wouldn't-aw
throw that little stone to-day"
Presently, Edith wanted a certain piece OF
embroidery. and jumped up herself to bring it
from her room, saying carelessly: 'Iquite miss
my unfortunate Margaret" Then another cleo
trlc shock went round
Popsie, in her spasmodie fashion, sprang up,
too and followed Edith When they were alone
she flung herself on her friends neck ard sobbed
out: Can you ever forgive meR Do you know
al?
Edith smiled stroked Popsie's cheek, and
answered: My darling girl, l know this much,
that with a great deal of nonsense you have a
great deal of good. and I'm quite fond of YOU"
But, Edith, the conscienc stricken Popsie
interrupted, tell me if
IN tell you nothing answered Mrs. Steven
son with a touch of dignity. When she laughed
curious!y and said gaily: Come, here's the en-
brodery. Let US go down stairs"
They were again comfortably ensconced in
the friendly circle. Philip behind his wfes
chair Tattleton Prime devotedly holding a
skein Of silk for her, when Gibson, with MANY
respectful apologies for the intrusion, came up
and announced:
I'VE have an arrival, ladies--a very high
toned party-an English baron-Lord Francis
Archer"
In few moments the new conner happened to
pass by. He seemed q hale, unaffected old gen
tieman, and looked about at the place and people
with much good natured curiosity. Suddenly
opposite the group on the piazza he paused.
stared, then passed on, but after a seconds
thought turned back again and said in hearty
way
why, Lady Edith, is that youf MOI Yes
But how came you here, and where's Lord
CranstonW
Mrs. Stevenson hurredly rose, shook hands
with the live baron, and presented her husband.
Then the three drew aside and talked in low
tones while good many other people were
gasping.
In few minutes the bluff old aristocrat said,
so loud and carelessly that every one in the awe
stricken circle could hear: IAN eopement, eh2
Cranston never would have consented, suppose
Oh! the family have kept the matterquite secret.
Nobody even knows where you are little
republican, ehf Plain Mrs. Stevenson! and all
for love. BY George! if English lords can marry
Americans. why not English ladies' tooi Ha, ha,
la! admire your pluck"
APPROPRIATION
It was Miss Carter who, during the next Now
York season. used to tell the story with the most
elegance aud precision.
"Daar Mrs. Stevenson was Lady Edith Barn
well, 9Th daughter of the Earl of Cumberford
deceased some years ago; and she came to travel
In America with her cousins, Lord and Lady
CrapstQp, Although the party preserved u gen
erai itra5gnito, they made themselves known to
Mr. Stevenson, whom they had already met in
London society. He entertained them and fell
in love with Lady Edith. She returned his affec-
ton, and unable TO obtain Lord CranStons con
sent to the match. defed conventionalities and
ran away with the man of her choice"
Mrs. Stevenson has that digniied vet mod
est manner when belongs to noble birth; one
can recognize III her, at a glance, the person of
distinction Quite an idyll, was it notE"
On Patti night at the opera when Edith was
looking particularly lovely ana every glass in the
house was leveled at her box, one might have
overheard some queer scraps of talk.
Il say Robinson, that beautiful Mrs. Steven
son used to be a circus rider, you know"
Nonsense" answers Robinson. 'She was a
countess but last summer she tried to elope with
German peddler and poor Stevenson was aw-
fully cut up. Why. Tatty Prime told US all
about the affair at the club"
''Prines liarH Brown interrupts. Mrs S.
WAS a London barmaid, whom the Earl of Cum
berford married for her beauty. In the cloth
ing of her own maid she ran away with Ger
man prince. Then Stevenson met her gambling
at Monte Carlo, and married her. Isn't that the
true story. Mrs Bullion"
Dear me. no." says Mrs Bullion. Mrs
Stevenson was lady waiting to the Queen,
and she jumped out of a widow at Windsor
Castle to off with the bandmaster"
mo, mamma" Miss Bullion eorrects her,
that was the story of the dyed blonde whom
we met i'll Paris. Mrs. Stevenson was poor
but honest ballet girl. Some Lord Cranberry
educated her and she caught ten millions, But
last summer Mr.. Stevenson kissed his wite's
maid right on a lawn before dozen witnesses.
Wasn't that shocking"
''Tel me-" said young Gushngton TO Popsie
Bennett as she went sailing across the lobby in
Mrs. Stevensons wake, was your friend titled
and did she threw over royal duke to marry an
Americana
Hush answered Popsie. II can't divulge
secrets. Mrs. Stevenson has wonderful his
tory. Sht'
Then Gushington had the honor Of an intro
duction, and afterward said to hundred young
men like himself II can't divulge secrets, but
know the most extraordinary things about Mrs.
Stevenson. Sh!"
OF course Popsic could clear mp the matter
somewhat by indorsine only the true story and
denying all others. But no; she understands
her business as belle ard beauty; she gives
society what it craves-a suspicion of mystery,
a spice of scandal. something in short, to talk
about. Meanwhile her fame grows apace and
Baronia sells thousand of Pepsle's portraits
every month.
THE END.
City and Country.
Pittsburg Chronicle Telegraph.