Sacramento daily record-union., 1890-03-08
MISS SHORTS STRATAGEa.
CHAPTER 1.

that she never formed hasty friendship.
Her sudden intimacy with Evangeline S.
Short may therefore be taken as the ex-
ception which proves the rule. The ac-
quaintance between these two ladies was
highly beneficial to both of them, for Miss
Short got by Lady Bagshots means an in
PRODUCTION to the very cream and flower
of London society, and Lady Bagshot had
the pleasure of chaperonlng a young lady
who was very good looking and vivacious,
and was reported to be enormously rich,
and this difficult and delicate duty was in
tensely agreeable to her ladyship.
Miss Short was, in fact, so very attract
i've that Lady Bagshots own importance
in society was immensely increased. Ubi-
cunque fusrit corpus, ilic eoagregabaat,r ct
aquile. Heiresses are run after in these
days, and Lady Bagshots drawing room
where the furniture was rather dingy and
tarnished-could now be filed whenever
she pleased with the choicest specimens of
our gilded youth. This was highly agree
able to her ladyship, who used mentally to
run over list of distinguished names with
the greatest satisfaction. There were the
men whose acquaintance with Miss Short
had deepened into an admiration prophetic
of serious consequences. First, there was
Sir Englefield Green, a prominent member
of the Four-in-Hand Club and the best
dressed man in London. Nobody could be
run after more than he was, and yet he
found time tdsaecept all Lady Bagshots
invitations, Again, there was the Marquis
of Hammersmith, who had recently sue
ceeded 10 the title, and who was the
possessor of the famous Hammersmith
diamonds There were a great many
Others Miss Short was the success of the
season, and Lady Bagshot was not little
proud of it, and her satisfaction reached its
highest pitch when she had to chaperon
her fair charge at certain garden party,
where the fair guest was distinguished by
the special regard of parsonage.
81 suppose" she reflected, "it's partly
because she is an American. For don't
think l ever saw so many nice-looking
girls out as there are this season"
Lady Bagshot had made Miss Shorts
Acquaintance in this way; There had been
in the early part Of the spring party of
American ladies staying at the Hotel Cos
mopolitan, and one of them had letter of
introduction. On her second visit she
brought with her two other members of
the party, one of whom she introduced
as Miss Evangeline S. Short of Gettys-
burgville
"Gettysburgville is one of our Western
cities" said the young lady from Boston,
as if to apologize for any defects which
might be discernible in her friend.
But Lady Bagshot took fancy to the
young lady from Gettysburgville, and this
on further acquaintance developed into an
afectionate admiration.
"She is extremely NICE" her ladyship
remarked to the Baronet, her husband
Every good looking, and then she dresses
well. And she is so unsophisticated,
so unconventional l am really very
fond of her indeed"
Then came a day near the end of
April when Miss Short came to say good
bye.
81 am very much obliged to you, Lady
Bagshot," said the girl. 'Fm real sorry
that I've got to go. suppose you're not
likely to be in the States ?"
Lady Bagshot expressed the greatest
dismay at this news.
'You are going away" she said, Gust
when the season is about to begin. 1t is
quite ridiculous. You really ought to
stop-you must stop-till Ascot, at least"
'Well," replied the young lady, 81 guess
I'd as soon stay. But l don't see how |
can. The rest Of our party are going to
Italy to look at pictures. Going to study
the early Italian masters, 1 b'lieve.
guess don't want to study much. I want
to have good time, and not go fooling
round a lot of galleries"
"Then, why do you go?" asked her lady
ship.
drm not going" Evangeline replied
"Fve seen as many pictures in London as
l want to see. l don't feel like pictures
every day. Pm going back to the States.
Maybe I'll come over again in the fall"
''But then the season will be over" said
Lady Bagshot, her voice mounting almost
to a scream. London will be empty;
there won't be a soul in town"
'Gs that sop replied Miss Short.
'sWeI, I'm real sorry. But l suppose |
can't stop over here by myself, not even
with maid They don't do that sort Of
thing in this country, Pm told. might
ask mamma 10 come out, and maybe she
would. But she don't often care to voy-
age much"
Lady Bagshot took a great resolution.
"Stop with me-" she said. "Why
shouldn't you? l shall be delighted to
have you, and there's lots of room in the
house"
Miss Short jumped up and kissed Lady
Bagshot on both cheeks.
This is kind of you, Lady Bagshot,"
she said. "Hd Just love to stop, butt
might be in your way, you know"
Lady Bagshot vehemently protested
against this supposition.
aWell. then" said the fair Evangeline,
81 guess I'll stop. I'm just dying to see
London season, that's the fact. And l
don't think I'll want much room; I've
only four trunks"
Now it was Lady Bagshot's turn to ad-
minister salute to her young friend. She
did so with the appropriate enthusiasm,
and then begged her to commence her stay
at once. =. =,
sPl come tomorrow" Evangeline said
simply. "Pll Just cable over to mamma
and tell her what Pm going to do. I've
taken my berth in the Tuscany, but sup
pose can let that slide"
And so it happened that Miss Short came
to live with Lady Bagshot, and under her
protection made her debut on the stage OF
society.
Lady Bagshot asked herself with little
nneasiness whether she had not been lit
tie rash in taking up so very decidedly a
girl Of whom she really knew so little, but
these misgivings did not last long. She
never doubted that Miss Short was very
rich and that was a great thing. And
then she liked her, which was perhaps
nearly as much.
One morning, however, during the early
davs Of Miss Shorts residence, her lady.
shin did undergo a certain amount OF
alarm.