The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1890-06-28

~ SAVSUy pAOACAo ~ e yOuI kE1OlS L1OuC,
And he doesn't at all enjoy hearing you groan,
So take warning and quitl
a. .E.a,. -Somervile Journal
MISS SHORTS STRATAGEM.
Lady Bagshot often remarked of herself
that she never formed a hastY friendship.
Her sudden intimacy with E%vangeline s. Short
may therefore DO taken as the exception
which proves the rule. The acquaintance be-
tween these two ladies was highly beneficial
to both of them; for Miss Short got by Lady
Bagshot's means an introduction to the very
cream and flower Of London society, and
Lady Bagshot had the pleasure of chaperon-
ing a young lady who was very good looking
and vivacious, and was reported to be enor-
mously rich, and this difficult and delicate
duty was intensely agreeable to her ladyship.
Miss Short was, in fact, SO very attractive
that Lady Bagshot's w Importance in So
ciety was immensely increased. Heiresses
are run after in thees days; and Lady Bag
shot's drawing room-where the furniture
was rather dingy and tarnished-could now
be filed whenever she pleased with the choic-
est specimens of our gilded youth. This was
highly agreeable to her ladyship, who used
mentally to run over a list of distinguished
names with the greatest satisfaction. There
were the men whose acquaintance with Miss
Short had deepened into al admiration pro-
phetic of serious consequences. First, there
was Sir Englefield Green, a prominent MEM
Der 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 to accept all Lady Bagshot's in
vitations. Again, there was the Marquis of
Hammersmith, who had recently succeeded
to 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 BaSshot
was not a little proud of it, and her satisfac-
ton reached its highest pitch when she had
to chaperon her fair charge at O certain gar
den party, where the fair guest was distin-
.guished by the special regard Of q parsonage.
81 suppose" she reflected, tits partly be-
.cAuse she is an American. For I don't think
I ever saw SO many nice looking girls out as
there are this season."
Lady Bagshot had made Miss Shorts &C
,~quaintance in this way: There had been in
tho early pavt of the spring a party Of Amer
lean ladies staying at the Hotel Cosmopol-
tan, and one of them had a letter of intro
,duction. On her second visit she brought
with her two other members of the party,
one of whom she introduced as Miss Evange-
line s.. Short, of Gettysburgville.
"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 a fancy to the
young lady from Gettysburgville, and this
on further acquaintance developed into an
afEectionate admiration.
..Ehe is extremely NICE" her ladyship re-
marked to the baronet, her husband; Every
good looking, and then she dresses well. And
she is SO unsophisticated, so unconventional.
/ am really very fond Of her. indeed" e
Then came "a day near the end of April
when Miss Short came to say good-by.
81 am. very much obliged to you, Lady
Bagshot," said the girl. s'I'm real sorry that
I've got to go. I.suppose you're not likely to
be in the Statesa"
Lady Bagshot expressed the greatest dis
may at this news.
"You are going away" she said, ''just
when the season is about to begin. It is quite
ridiculous, You ought to stop-you must
stop-til Ascot at least"
"Well," replied the young lady, II guess
I'd as soon stay. But l don't see how l can.
The rest of our partyi is going to Italy to look
at pictures. Going to study the early italian
masters, I believe. I guess I don't want to
study much. I want to nave o good time,
and not to go fooling round a lot Of gal
~leries."
"Then why do you goi" asked her lady
ship.
.Tm not going" Evangeline replied. ''I've
seem as many pictures in London as I want
to see. 1 don't feel like pictures every day.
I'm going back to tho Stntes. Maybe I'll
come over again in the fall"
.sBut then the season will b. over" said
Lady Bagshot, her voice mounting almost to
q scream. London will DO empty; there
won't be q soul in town -"
aIs that sof' replied Miss Short. well,
I'm real sorry. But I suppose I can't stop
over here by myself, not even with a maid.
Thew don't do that sort Of thing in this
country, I'm told. Knight ask mamma to
some out, and maybe she would. But she
don't often care to voyage much"
Lady Bagshot took q great resolution.
esstop with me-, . she said. why shouldn't
youl [ shall be delighted to have you, and
there's lots Of room In the house."
Mis- Short jumped up and kissed Lady
Bagshot on both cheeks.
1This is so kind Of you, Lady .Bagshot,n she
aid. std just love to stop, butt might be
IN your way, you know.
Lady agshot protested vehemently against
this superstition.
"Wal, Them said the.fair Evangeline, ~
guess mi stop. @I'm just!dying to seea LON
don season, that's the fact. And don't
think I'll want much room; I've only four
trunkAn y.
Now it was Lady Bagshot's turn to admin.
liter q salute to, her young friend. She did
go wtththeeaappagyoprAte enthusiasm, and then
heeeSdhert oceaamlnnsance, her stay at once.
sfIlE come Oh to-morrow,h. E~vangeline raid
/. imply. "I'l just cable over to ANN and
tell' her what I'm going to do. I've taken my
berthi il the Tuscany, but ! suppose can LET
that slide. = &.
J; And % IL happenedsthat Miss Short came
Is live With Lady Bagshot, and under he!
.nrotsotion made her debut on the stag g
Durinsa 5 first day s. two q her stay
sIadyS Bseshot asked herselfs With, 9 little nm
80 whsth1lr. stie had not bssn 9 Astas
sst&ss3asE