The sun., 1889-01-31
A FORTUNATE FAN.

1ne Sl0e QOOr OF Une Academy Oh
Design was accessible during the re-
cent Pedestal Fund Loan exhibition,
preparatory to the opening. The
policemen at the door narrowly
scanned every one who departed, and
demanded name or card.
This official afterwards remem-
bered that an exceedingly marked
man entered, apparently with no
bundle about him. He was very
handsome, with black eyes and pre-
maturely gray hair, which he wore
long.
Your name, sir,' said the police
man, stopping him and cycling him
keenly.
my name, eh!" said the stranger
rather angrily, "eh! Col. Beauclerc." "
At this moment a lady came down.
stairs. She was we'll known to the
policeman as one of the managers,
and as she met the gentleman, she
said cordially:
ooh, Col. Beauclerc, / am so happy
to meet you! | am tired to death!
Such scene of confusion upstairs,
and we open tonight! Would you
carry this fan for me, and give it to
Miss Lomax? 1t isquite invaluable,
belongs to Mrs. McElroy, and hope
it will be put in choice place; but |
have absolutely brought it down
with me; how careless! 1t arrived
toolate to be judged and catalogued,
but am determined to get it in.
Would you take it up for me?''
Certainly, Miss Mirabeau; de-
lighted! To whom shall | give it?"
said the colonel, restored to the
policeman's confidence
ITO Miss Lomax; and for worlds
do not fail. for Mrs. McElroy is al
ready drcadfully offended because
some of her exhibits were refused q
place. Indeed, believe she and Mr..
Smith have had some Words, and
she has loaned such beautiful things
that would not have her feelings
hurt for the world"
"But l do not know Miss Lomax. :"
said the handsome colonel, admiring
the fine face before him, and think
ing that a workaday rig was rather
becoming to Miss Mirabeau.
ooh, you will easily find Miss Lo-
max" said Miss Mirabeau; "any
one will tell YOU" So she passed on,
: leaving Col, Beauclerc with the fan
in charge.
He ascended the stairs 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,
= chatelaines, watches, jewelry of every
age, from the mummy necklace down
to the earrings of Eugene. The ar
lists were hanging pictures. Mrs.
Wheeler was experimenting the
embroideries, and the miniatures
from their places Looked at him with
their sentimental, last-century smiles.
1t was confusing melange.
As soon as he found the lady who
seemed to be responsible for the fans,
he asked for Miss LomaX.
"Miss Lomax!" said she, Il think
she has just gone in to see those ia.
nous swords of Mr.. Brayton Ives
Would you ga in? Perhaps we car
find her,"
Il think would like to look at the
FANS" said he.
So he stopped and chatted over the
+ "Vernis Martins" the Spanish fans
; the carved bone, and admired Mrs
Astors collection: Then heWandered
off to examine the Jade, and finally
rendered up to the lady in charge his
owp exhibit, small but very beau
tiful piece of antique jewelry.
Then he felt in his pocket and dis
covered the fan, the little, long, BLACK
package, which he had been instruct
; I'd to leave with Miss Lomax.
+; "But where was Miss Lomax?'
She had become invisible. ''Oh! ther,
she is noW!" said the lady with whom
: he had spoken; ':that young lady
with the light hair.
And here the colonel's memory be
comes hazy. He thinks now that h
laid the fan down on the glass cas-
: while he went for Miss Lemax. III,
pursued that ignis fatuus through
!. all the rooms. He found her in th'
picture gallery, and told her the stor,
of the fan.
"Oh, yesl" said she, I'VE have saves
q placefor that fan 9fMrs. McElroy s
i Do give it to me, for she is furious.
The colonel, suddenly frightened
J. felt for the fan, but could not find i
. in his pocket; then he remembered
: that he LETT it on the glass case. HI
. and Miss Lomax. wandered back tt
. the case, but the fan was gone. Jus
!: ut that moment Mrs. Maioribank
; came fitting by, pale and nervous;
::'We have lost q ifhpsa ! said she
.;Worth eyer SO many thousand dol
3 lars! Oh, what shall dera
Miss Lomax looked Mt the celene
and the colonel lacked at Missbomax
Z 'Stolenl stolenl' said Miss Loma,
!: Historically.
!. An hour was passed in inquire
and in agitated search, complicate,
by the feverish whisper of Miss Lama.
that the irate Mrs. McEroy wa
!. walking through the rooms lookin,
1 daggers at everybody"
o "What if she should hear that W
3 have lost her fanl" said two ar tire
K ladies, surrounding the colonel, an,
], amiably dividing the guilt with him
7 They were oil in ready to excuse hin
. and blame Emily Mirabenu. Sh
Q should not have asked him to tax
e charge of the fan and SO on,
. The colonel assumed the respons
e bility ut once.
}, 81 alone am to blame said he