Wichita eagle., 1889-05-16


granted that a warm welcome would be ex.
tended to her. And she was more than q
little surprised that Mrs. Sydenham Wick
ford's maid had been assigned far more
comfortable room than herself.
Perhaps" she told herself, 81 am little
behind the times. Perhaps am expecting
too much.n
These country relations are famous for
always coming at the wrong tlme," said
Mrs. Inman, with a sigh. al think, how
ever, shall soon succeed In freezing Aunt
Decima outn
Mamma is giving reception TO the sgd
enham Wickfords tonight" said Lizzie,
one evening. 'sEver so many nice people
are invited. You should see how beautiful
the parlors-dra,un0-r Mrs. Sydenham
Wexford calls them-are decorated with
flowers. And Mrs. Sydenham Wexford
herself has got on a red velvet gown that
makes her look as if she were on fire.
Florinda is being dressed by the maid now
In white. White, like girl, and she thirty
at leastl What are you going to wear,
Aunt Dessiepi
Mrs. Everard colored.
az have only my black silk" said she.
"Aad, besides, have aot been invited to
come down stairs"
"Oh, put on the black silk, thenr' cried
Lizzie. "Of course mamma expects you.
only wish was out; but shall peep in
through the library door and see it all.
There's cluster of palms there that will
hide half-open door to perfection. Hurry,
Aunt Bessie, and III do your gray hair up
in those lovely puffs learned yesterday
looking in at the hair-dresser's window"
~ a
and lights, but none Of the guests had yet
arrived when Aunt Dectma came down
stairs, looking as neat and sweet as fairy
god-mother. Mrs. Inman was flushed and
tired out, in her heNotrope satin. Helen was
lovely-pink tulle and apple blossoms.
Mrs. Sydenham Wickford's ruby velvet
seemed to diffuse positive atmosphere of
heat around her, and Miss Florinda's red
face and small blue eyes were emphasized
by her white gown. Mr.. Sydenham Wick
ford S evening dress and pumps had struck
an attitude near standard lamp, which he
seemed resolved to retain. At that mo-
ment the footrnsn (hired for the occasion)
flung open the door.
1.-THE Countess Of Alchesteri" he Ut
tered, IN stentorian accents.
Mr.. Sydenham Wexford jumped as II he
had been shot. Mrs. Sydenham Wexford
made an Intellectual grasp at her smelling
bottle. Miss Florinda's lower Jaw fell, as
tall, handsome old lady, In gray travelling
dress, came into the room, looking with
rather surprised eyes around her.
~ was told" she began. Goodness
me! Wexford is that youa What on earth
brings you herepi Ito Mr.. Sydenham Wick
ford, who kept bowling, in series of jerks,
like an automatic toy.
Before she could utter another word,
however, she was cIasped IN Aunt Decima's
arms.
"The friend 1 was expecting, Mary"
said Aunt Decima to her niece. "She has
arrived sooner than had hoped. Lady Al
chester, this is my niece, Mrs. Inman-and
Miss Inman, her daughterp
Mrs. Inman and Observation-Disclosures,
both of them, by nature and education
bowed low, as if in the presence of maj
eSty.
"And this" said Lady Alchester, whose
eagle eye took in the situation at once, as
she glanced toward the English guests,
''is my late butler, Wexford, and his wife,
who was formerly lady's maid to old Mrs.
Orion Hunt, and inherited quite a sum
through that lady's will! Excuse me, dear
Decima, but how on earth came they herel"
Never did toy balloon collapse with
greater suddenness than did the SyGenham
Wickfords. The ex-butler kept on bowling
until he reached the threshold; the former
trim g-woman of old Mrs. Orion Hunt NUT
tered something about ''her old enemy the
neuralgia" and got out Of the room as fast
as the train Of the ruby velvet dress would
permit; and Miss Florinda was not long be-
hind her, OF all the group, Aunt Decima
and the Countess Of Alchester alone were
at their ease, while Lizzie, behind the
screen of palms and rubber trees, was
heartily enjoying the scene.
Nothing more was heard about Lord Cor
kindale and Baron Brattleberg. The En-
glish guests left early the next morning
probably for the far West, certainly with
the intent of putting as many miles as
possible between themselves and Lady
Alchester. And Mrs Everard took her
friend and Lizzie Inman home to Everard
Glen as soon as Mrs. Inman would allow
them to depart.
But" cried Helen, wrin ging her hands,
''vhy did not Aunt Decima tell US she
was rich and knew peoplel Lizzie is
the prime favorite now I've no chance at
alln
1.-THE worst Of it all, though" said Mrs.
lnman, sadly, sis that we have been so
ireadfully deceived by those horrid Syden-
ham Wickfordsl What ,UiH people sayP'-
s Ran1Olph in n V 7 cd crer