The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1890-05-30
THE LOST FAN.

The side door Of the Academy o.
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 eyeing him
keenly,
MY name, eh!" said the stranger
rather angrily, seh! Col. Beauclerc. -
Atthis moment lady came down
stairs. She was well 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! l am tired to death!
Such a 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 he put in choice place; but
have absolutely brought it down
with me; how careless! 1t arrived
toolate to be judged and catalogued,
but l 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 dreadfully offended because
some of her exhibits were refused u
place. Indeed, believe she and Mr..
Smith have had some words, and
she has loaned such beautiful things
that l would not have her feelings
hurt for the world"
"But do not know Miss Lomax."
said the handsome colonel, admirinr
the fine face before him, and think
ing that workaday rig was rather
becoming to Miss Mirnbeau.
ooh, you will easily finl Miss Lo-
max" said Miss Muabeau; "ony
one will tell you. :" So she passed on,
leaving Col. Beauclerc with the fan
IN charge.
He ascended the stairs and was
met by n big dog at the door of an
inner room. Ladies were standing
at the glass cases arranging missnls,
Others wero. busy hanging fans,
others putting away priceless boxes,
chatelaines. watches, ,.iewclry of evcry
age, from the mummy necklace down
to the earrings Of Eugenie. The ar
lists wcro hanging pictures. Mrs.
Wheeler. was experimenting the
embroideries, and the miniat lures
from their places looked Mt him with
their sentimental, last-century smiles.
y was q confusing Melange.
As soon rs he found the lady who
seemed to be responsible Tor the fans,
he asked for Miss Lomax.
Miss Lomax" said she, "I think
she has just gone in to see those ia
nous swords of Mr.. Bravton Ives.
find her"
4 think / would like to look at the
fans, said he.
So no stopped and chatted over the
worms Martins" the Spanish fms,
the carved bone, and admired Mrs.
Astors collection. Then he we,l,s-ree.
off to examine the Jade, und finally
rendered ul, ~ The lady in charge his
own exhibit, q small but very beau
flIi piece. Of antique iswelry.
Then he fely in his pocket and dis
covered the ian. the little, long, black
package, which he had been instruct
ed to leave with Miss Lomax.
''But where was Miss I.om,.x%".
She had become invisillc. son! there
she is noW!!.,, said the lady with whom
ne had spoken; that young lady
with the light hair"
And here the colonel's memory be.
comes hazy. He thinks now that he
laid the fan down ON the glass case
While ne, went for Miss Lomax. He
pursued that ignis fatuus through
oil the rooms. lie found her in the
picture gallery, and told her the story
of the fan.
ooh, yes," said she, 1--WE have saved
n place for that fan ofMrs. McElroy's.
DO give it to me, for she is furious. I"
The colonel, suddenly frightened,
felt for the fan, but could not find it
in his pocket; sllen he remembered.
that ae lett it on the glass case. He
and Miss LomaX wandered back to
the case, but the fan was gone. Just
at that moment Mrs. Majoribanks
came fitting by, pale and nervous.
1--WE have lost u fichu," said she.
"worth ever so many Thousand dol
lars! Oh, what shall ] dol"
Miss i'Oi.istA AOOkEti NG lhS cOIOIlel
and the colonel looked at MissL L Lomax
"Stolen. stolen!" said Miss LolnuA
hysterically.
An hour was passed in inquiries
anu IN agi,ated search, complicated
by the ieverish whisper of Miss Lomax
that the irate Mrs. McElroy was
walking through the rooms looking
daggers at everybody"
What if she should hear that we
have lost her FAM" said two or three
ladies, surrounding the colonel, and
amiably dividing the guilt with him.
They were all in ready to excuse him
and blame Emily Mirabe,.u. She
should not have asked him to take
charge of the fan and so on.
The colonel assumed the RESPONSE
ii alone ain to blamc." said lie,
"and if money can pay for that ac-
l mean that Spanish FAM will pay
for it."
; "But she said that $4,000 would
not pay for that fam said IL mem-
! Der of the insurance committee who
passed. sit is an heirloom"
The colonel groancd.
At that moment one of the execu-
tive committee passed and whispered
caution. If there were pickpocket
in the building great care must he