The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1888-01-07

A1CtC ChO RauoOet ohA
tered over her rosy lips
swell, well But 1 confess | should
like to balance the social scales more just
ly," she unused thoughtfully, tracing out
the pattern of the carpet with her pretty
foot. II do think it hard that Mesdaines
Somers, Desmond & Co. should have all
the pleasure, and | all the trouble and
worry. Why shouldn't l have my amuse-
ments, too? OF course. can always have
the fun of laughing at my dear counsin's
weaknesses behind her back, but have to
do it so often that it pals. l really must
strike out something new Let me think.
For some minutes the young lady sank
into brown study, puckering her white
forehead into thoughtful frown and draw
ing quite network Of designs on the car
pet with the point of her shoe. At last a
brilliant idea darted into her brain, and she
started to her feet with cry.,d
Eureka! That will do. Nothing
could be better. All, what fun I'll have
My dear CIementina, I shall be able to cry
quits with you at last. You have made
me pass many bad quarter of an hour, in
return for which | shall play you as pretty
a trick as ever woman's wit hatched.'
And she burst into a peal of merry, silver
toned laughter that the lap-dog reused him.
self from his afternoon siesta and barked
joyous response
During the next few days, Miss Grey's
manner was as dcmure as ever while in
the presence of her patroness, but when
evening came and Mrs Somers betook her
self to ball, reception, Or theater, as the
case might be, the young lady gave vent to
her native spirits by mimicking her cousin
before the long mirror in Clementina's
dressing-room, waltzing with the lap-dog,
who loudly resented the liberty, or singing
sprightly chanosonetts in her fresh, clear
tones.
Mary had been educated in first-rate
Partisan school. and had contrived to i'm
bibe good deal of French esprit along
with more solid accomplishments. But
often she fell to needlework with praise
worthy ardor, and when thus employed her
spirits rose higher than. ever. She would
often laugh aloud from sheer inability to
keep her mirth to herself, as she pictured
and repictured in her busy brain what
Clementina would say and how Clementina
would look when her humble companions
brilliant idea was fully matured and car
ried out.
The rivalry of the two widows did not
abate as the days went on. Fitz was sell
dom to be seen without one or the other
by his side Bets were freely laid ON the
event, the odds varying as the blonde or
brunette was in the ascendant Clemen-
tina fattered herself that she would be in
first at the winning-post, while Minna was
equally confident that to her would fall the
honor of carrying off the Brandon Sweep,
stakes.
Little Fitz could but feel fattered by
tho open admiration Of these two charming
ladies. When chaffed about it at his club,
he only laughed and stroked his mustache
complacently, for he was extremely
good-tempered, and even the scowls of
Maitland and Carnfortb did not ruffle him.
But he had evidently not made up his
mind which of the two ladies was to be
Mrs. Fitzgerald Brandon. He lunched
one day with Clementina, but dined with
Minna the next; he sat the whole evening
in the opera box of one, but he was certain
to be seen in the Row next morning with
the other; and so the balance of power
was maintained.
Both ladies were at their wits end
How was this oscillating swain to be Sc
cured? 1t was intolerable to see him flirt-
ing openly with Minna, after he had all
but proposed the day before to Clementina;
and vice versa. Of course, every one was
amused but the two victims, and they were
really miserable However, an event to
which both had long looked forward would,
they hoped, bring matters to crisis.
Lady Mabel Smith was going to give bal
masque at her charming suburban villa on
the Thames, and the widows had devised
rayishing toilets for the occasion. Little
Fitz would surely be subjugated at last;
and there would be so many opportunities
for him to propose in those delightful gar
dens, sloping to the river, and lit with col
ored lamps la South Kensington.
The eventful evening came at last.
Mrs. Desmond, arrayed as Madame de
Pompadour, in rose colored velvet and
diamonds, and Mrs. Somers, as Marie An
toinette, in pale blue satin and pearls, ar
rived almost simultaneously at Lady Ma
bells. Little Fitz, to whom both ladies
had, of course, confded the secret of her
incogpito, had got himself up very magnif-
Gently as Louis XIV, and this Mrs. Des-
mond considered as almost tantamount to
declaration.
The ball was most brilliant affair; the
weather was everything it should be-warm
still and moonless-the illuminations were
gorgeous, the music good, the dress admir-
able, and the wine superlative. Lady
Mabel's guests took their pleasure with less
of insular sadness and more of continental
liyeliness than usual Whether it was the
novelty and daring of the thing, or the
tact of the hostess, or the unlimited
opportunities for Irritation, or the spice
of intrigue and mysti6cation intro
duced into the affair by the wearing of