The morning call., 1892-03-09
JUST AS old As SHE LOOKS
TCOncladed !


The ball alluded to was to be great
event a FOlkeStone. 1t was TO be the finale
of a charity bazaar lastipg two days, of
which Mrs. Marmaduke BlessingtoD was
the moving spirit She was a stakeholder,
of course, and had done all she could to
persuade Mrs. ProtherGe to share her labors
In that capacity, but without success. All
Mrs. PTotheroe would promise was to pa
tronlZe her stall, and this she did literally,
as did also that young Carpenter" Mrs.
BlessingtOn had at last discovered his name),
"who really follows her about like her
shadow" The good lady was, however.
too busy TO do much more than make few
mental notes from which to point moral
when opportunity should occur She really
did work very hard, and as any one with
experience as stakeholder at a bazaar
will readily understand was excess
lively tired at the end of the
two days and more fit to 60 to
bed than TO the ball. Go she would, how
ever, in spite of Mrs. Pr0theroe's attempts
TO dissuade her. Poor thingl l consider
il only my duty to keep an eve upon her"
she would have said TO any one had they
asked. $50 pretty, and with her husband
abroad. you know, people might talk about
her if ste went alpne," etc, etc. So they
started for tho ball in Mrs. Bessneton's
bTuugham, and on arrival she, as befitted so
prominent a mem Der of FOlkestOne society,
was pounced upon by the head of the ball
committee and led in state into the ball
room. which was already full and she first
dance over Just as | expected" ste said
10 herself. when, after many greetings from
friends and acQuaIntanceS and congratula-
tiOns en- the success of the bazaar. she at
length succeeded in catching a glimpse of
Mrs. Protheroe whirling by among the
dancers. just as Iexpected That young
Carpenter, of course. l must try to give
her a hint
Mrs. Protheroe was looking her best, and
Mrs. PTotheTOe's best was very attractive
indeed. Moreover, she danced beautifully,
SO that it was not surprising she was much
sought after, and that the ball should be
half over and the supper hour at hand be-
fore she found herself on the sofa here
her chaperOn was seated. The latter was
looking grave, and smiled but Jelly when
Mrs. Prot6eroe addressed her.
'Sueh a delightful ball! | am sure it must
be a great success. All the arrangements
are so good. and the floor is perfect. l don't
know when / have enjoyed dance so
much"
I'm glad you have enjoyed yourself, my
DEAR" said Mrs. Blessington, In the patron
izing tone she might have used to girl who
was making her debut But" aid here
she edgei nearer to Mrs. Protheroe aud
lowered her voice, ''you wont think me Of
fcious if | venture to oIfer you just one
word of advice"
Mrs. PrOtheroe's eyes twinkled, but she
held her peace.
You know am. comparatively. quite an
cid woman, and you are 50 young and SO
pretty that il would be a pity to do any
thing to make people talk"
Good gracious. MS. Blessingtonw ex-
claimed Mrs. Protheroe. with the most in-
nocent air in the world, and quite forget
matter? Is my dress laced crooked. or are
there any strings showing" And she
moved her skirts as though in search Of
them.
Your dress is only too perfect" said Mrs.
BessingtOn. gracefully; but there are
other things more important than dress
You mustn't be offended with me if give
you just one little word Of warning. You
have already, to my knowledge, danced FIVE
times with that good-looking young man
who has been seen about with you a great
deal lately. Now, IN Engand-of course |
don't know what people may think of such
matters at the Cape, but in England it Is
considered very marked to dance so often
with one partner. If your husband were
here, of course. it would be different. but as
You are alone / think it would be wise for
you to be q little careful in case people
might begin to notice H."
"Is that ali ?" cried Mrs. Protheroe. throw
Ing herself back on the couch with we'll
feigned air of relief. 81 was quite fright
ened. thought 1t was something serious"
Mrs. Biessington looked Mortified.
''There can hardly be anything more seri
Gus where married woman Is concerned"
she said severely.
"Oh, but he is so nice and dances so
beautifully. You can't think how delight
In dancing with him."
THAT may be, my dear; but other things
ought to be considered, and if / were you
shouldn't dance any more with him to-
night. We are just going in 10 supper. and
think very soon after that we will go. if
you don't mind. Pray think Of what have
said" she added hastily. for the county
magnate who was to have the honor of con-
Quoting her to the supper-room was seen
approaching.
you like" said Mrs. Protheroe. land
promise you wont dance too much with
CARPENTER
Mrs. Blessington smiled. ard, noddng a
mute approval, departed with her escort.
On her return from supper a dance was
Just at an end, and in a few moments Mrs
Protheroe was by her side. asking when
they were to leave.
II think after the next dance, my dear. I
have sent to order the brougham, and it
should be here By then. OIL" rs her eye lit
upon the 'good-looking young man" COM
ing toward them, there is MT. Carpenter
coming this way. Now, il he asks you 10
dance again, pray make some excuse. Say
you're tired, or something"
But I'm not In the least tired. Therei he
cart refuse if he does"
You must, my dear. Make any excuse
you like"
lbe young man was close to them now.
ard an onlooker might have observed what
looked suspiciously like wink pass be-
tween him and Mrs. Protheroe. She rose
70 meet him, and, without even waiting for
him TO speak, bent over her cbaperon and
whispered hurfiedly: 81 know he means to
ASK me, and can't refuse him ANYTHING. I
do love him 50 dearlyp then, before Mrs
BiessiDgton had time TO recover from the
shock. bis arm was around her and thew
we're halfway down the room, In another
minute they were back again, and paused
70 recover breath within few feet of where
Mrs.. Blessington sat, looking scand ,ljzad
and angry, IN strong contrast to their an
parent innocence and unconcern just as
they were again moving off Mrs. Blessinpton
started TO her feet, and, laying her hand on
Mrs. Protbefoe's arm, said In her sternest
veice: Il am going at once If you wish
for seat In my carriage. you had better
come to the cl0akro0m now"
"ThaDk You, dear Mrs. Blessingtop," re-
plied Mrs. Prutheroe with bright smile /;
"tben we will just take one turn TO the
door. and shall be there before YOU"
When Mrs. BlessDgton had got her cloak,
and. after many delays. caused by word
here aud a word there on her way. found
herself nearing the entrance. where her car
1900 UNA waiting she saw "fha 0uiI4v