, 1890-04-18
MISS 0 R %STRATAGEM.

MlNO NIlUnl ~ lANl.n'
Lady Bagshot often remarked Of herself
that she never formed a hasty friendship.
Her sudden intimacy with Eyangeline S. Short
NAV therefore be taken Rs 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 yivaciouS, and was reported to be enor.
mously rich, and this difficult and delicate
duty was intensely agreeable TO her LAdyship
Mis- Short was, in fact, SO very attractive
that Lady BAgshot's own Importance in So
ciety was immensely increased. Heiresses
are run after in these days, and Lady Bag
shots 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 an admiration pro
phetic of serious consequences. First, there
was Sir Engleield Green, a prominent mem
Del OF the FoAA-A llhuu t4Ab anu AAt bfNk
dressed man in London. Nobody could bo
run after more than he was, and yet he
found time to accept all Lady Bagshots in
vitatonS Again, there was the Marquis of
HAmmersmith, who bad 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, aud Lady Bagshot
was not a little proud OF it, and her s~atsfae-
ton reached its highest pitch when she had
to chaperon her fair charge at a certain gar
den party, where the fair guest vas distiu-
guished by the special regard Of a parsonage.
II suppose she reflected, its partly he.
cause she is al American. For l don't think
ever saw 50 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
the early part Of the spring a party u Amer
lean ladies staying at the Hotel COsmopOli-
tan, and one Of them had a letter Of intro
duction. On her second visit she brought
with her two ether member Of the party,
one OF whom she introduced as Mis- Evange,
line S. Short, OF Gettysburgville.
"Gettysburgvills is one OF our western
cities, - said the young lady from Boston, as
II TO apologize for any defects which might
be discernible in her friend.
But Lady Bagshot took a fancy - the
young lady from Gettysburgvillc, and thi.
on further acquaintance developed INTO al
affsctionAte admiration.
"She is extremely nice" her ladyship re
marked to the baronet, her husband, "very
good looking, and then she dresses we'll. Ant
she is so unsophisticAted, 50 unconventional
am really very fond Of her indeed"
Then came II day near the end Of Apri
when Mis- Short am 10 say good by.
Il am very much obliged 10 you. Lady
Bagshot, - sail the gEL I'm real sorry thai
I've got to go. suppose you're not likely tl
be In the Statesf'
Lady Bagshot expressed the greatest dis.
may at this news.
you are going away she said, Just
when the season Ia about TO begin. 1t is quito
ridiculous. You ought TO stoP-you must
stOp-tin Ascot at least" .
WE'LL replied the young Indy, 81 guess
I'd as soon stay. But | don't sec how | can.
The rest OF our party is going to Italy 10 look
at pictures. Going TO study the early Italian
masters, ] believe. | guess | don't want to
study much. want to have II good time,
and not to go foOling round a lot Of gal
leries."
Then why do you goi" asked her lady
ship.
'Im not going E~vangeline replied. I've
seen us many pictures in London rs | want
to SEE. don't feel like pictures every day.
I'm going back to the States Maybe IN
come over again in the fall"
But then the season will be over said
Lady Bagshot, her voice mounting almost 10
a scream. London will bo empty, there
won't be a soul in town"
as that sor' replied Miss Short. "Well,
I'm real sorry. But l suppose l can't stop
over here by myself, not even with n maid.
They don't do that sort OF thing in this
country, I'm told might ask mamma to
come out, and maybe she would. But she
don't often care TO voyage much
Lady Bagshot took a great resolution.
"Stop with me- she said. why shouldn't
you'll ! shall lie delighted to nave you, and
there's lots OF room in the house"
Miss Short jumped up and kissed Lady
Bsgshot on both cheeks.
This is so kind Of you, Lady Bagshot, - she
said. "Id Just love to stop, butt might be
In your way, you know
Lady BAgshot protested vehemently against
this superstition.
well, then, - said the fair ~Evangeline, 81
guess III stop. I'm just dying to see a Lon
don 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 admin
kter a salute to her young friend. She did
20 with the appropriate enthusiasm, and then
begged her 10 her stay at once.
I'm come tomorrow" Evangeline said
simply. I'm just cable over to mamma and
tell her what I'm going TO do. I've taken my
berth in the Tuscany, but l suppose l can let
that slide
And 70 it happened that Miss Short came
TO live with Lady Bagshot, and unde her
protection made her debut on the stage Of
society.
During the first day or two Of her stay
Lady Bagshot asked herself with u little un-
Sasiness whether she had not been a little