Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1885-11-26
A FORTUNATE FAN.

the recent Pedestal Fund Loan Exhi-
billion on Monday morning prerarato-
Try to the opening. Tkespoliceman
at The door narrowly scanned every
one who entered Or departed and do.
manded namo aud card. For there
were jewels, fans, lacss, and other
choice things, coming and going III
the time, aud an oprorluhitY for theft
q loss from carelessness oi laese val.
cables were imminent. -
This official afterwards remember
ed that an exceedingly marked man
entered, apparently with no bundle
about him, although hemight have
Lad a jewelled snuff box ofthereign
Of Louis Quinze in his pocket. He
was very handsome man, oval face,
black eyes and prematurely gray hair,
which he wore long. Rather q con-
spicpous parsonage.
"Your name, sir" said the police
man, stopping him and cycling him
keenly.
my name, Ell T. said the stranger
rather angrily-"eh Col BeaucIorc.'
AT this moment a.lady came down
to go out of the building. She was
well known to the policeman as one
of the managers up stairs, and as she
met the gentleman she extended her
hand and said cordially
"oh, Col. Beauclerc, am SO happy
to meet you ! have just come down
and am tired to death | Such scene
of confusion up stairs, and we open to-
night Would you carry back this
fan for me, and give it to Miss Lo-
maxi I had it in the pocket of my
sealskin and forgot to take it out; it
is quite invaluable, belongs to Mrs.
McElroy, and I hope it will be put in
o choice place: but I have absolutely
brought it down with me- how care
less 1t arrived TOO late TO be Judged
and too late to be catalogued, but I
am detsrmihediEto get it in. Would
yeu take it up for me 2''
= Certainly. ~ IaLSri;
lighted To whom shallIgive It ?"
said the colonel, restored to the police
mans confidence.
ITO Miss Lomax; and forworlds do
not fail, for Mrs. McElroy is already
dreadfully offended because some of
her exhibits was refused place. In
deed, ! believe she and Mr.. Smith
have had some words, and she is SO
nice, and go kind, and las loaned
such beautiful things that I would
not have her feelings hurt for the
world"
Bat I do nat know Miss Lomax.'
said the handsome colonel, admiring
the fine face before him, and thinking
that fatigue, hard work, And an ul-
ster, in fact work-a-day RIG, in eve
ry respect was becoming 70 Miss Mi
rabeau.
oh, you will easily find Miss Lo-
max, said Miss Mirabeau, any one
will tell you, and be sure and give her
this fan. Good-by So she passed
on, leaving COL Bsauolero With fan in
charge.
He assembled the stairs, which were
dusty and dirty, finding The passage
clogged with boxes, and was met by
big dog at the door Of an inner room.
Ladies were standing at the glass cases
arranging missals, others were busy
hanging fans, others putting away
priceless boxes, chatelainss, watches,
jewslry Of every age, from the mum
my necklace down to the earrings Of
Eugene. The artists wsra hanging
pictures. Mrs, Wheeler was superin.
tending embroideries, and tae ninia-
lures carefully in their places. looked
at him with their sentimental, last
century smiles. 1t was confusing
melange.
Az Eoon as he found q lady who
seemed to be responsible for the fans,
be asked for Miss Lomax.
Miss Lomax ? said shs, I think
she has just gone in TO see those IA
mous swords Of Mr.. Brayton Ives.
You know he has sent the handsom.
est things here. Would you go in ?
Perhaps we can find her.
i think l would like to look at the
fans, said he.
So be stopped and chattsd over the
'Vernis Martins, the Spanish fans,
the carved bone, and admired Mrs.
Astors collection Of old and new
French fans, then went round to the
other side to see the later work Of Detail
ie. Then be wandered off to examine
the Jade, and finally rendered up to
Che lady in charge his own ezhibit--a
small but very beautiful piece Of an.
tioue iewsIry.