The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1892-06-16
CHAPTER xix

"cALL LADY scARBoRouCH's CARRIAGE"
Meanwhile grand event is agitating
the upper circles of London society,
which is none other than the splendid
ball to be given by the Countess Of
Scarborough and her sister, Miss
Honoria Grahame, the joint brircsscs of
Sir Harry Grahamc, in the Grahane
mansion, which has been magnifcently
refltted in honor Of the auspicious occa-
sion-thc public declaration that their
period OF mourning for their deceased
brother is past, and that they are now
ready once more to enter into the gay
whirl OF life among the upper ten
Thousand.
And the high ant!cipations Of the
votaries of fashion were not doomed to
disappointment It was the ball of the
| season, and the wonder was that
though Defenders chilly winds were
bowling in the streets, and all great
personages were supposed to be away
at their ancestral halls, there was hard
| ly refusal, and my Lady Scarborough
had been very prodigal OF her invita-
tions. =.
Why stop to describe the magnificent
ballroom? They said the flowers alone
cost thousand pounds The Guards
band discoursed ravishing music; serv-
ants in the most critically correct liv-
cry fitted about the great hall. the sup
per room presented scene like a
glimpse into fairy palace; and as for
the ladies' dresses, |. a mere man,
would not dare the proclamation Of a de-
scription Of them.
A proud woman was Lady Scar
borough that night Born TO the purple.
she had never It'll then tasted the dc.
light OF reveling in extravaganza with.
out the anxiety Of considering the cost
IL was to her q moment Of thrilling
ecstacy, and her eyes slsonc Is brightly
a. the family diamonds which flashed
on her rounded neck. People won
dcred little, and am afraid my lord
sworc good deal at her ladyship's ad-
hitting the Colburn family into the
magic circle Of which she was queen,
bat the most critical only attributed it
10 ''dear Lady Scarborough's marvellous
good nature" and did not grudge the
sttorpcy's wife and daughters the en-
toyment Of their sudden elevation.
And Il was proud moment, too, for
Mr.. Colburn. It Is not permitted 10
many TO rise TO such giddy heights from
his humble start in life, and his bosom
filed with conscious pride.
Nay, It was even whispered that q
prince OF the blooderoyal would be
present, and the company was kept in
thrilling suspense awaiting his advent,
each late arrival causing more cranine
- naoLu orI hnshoI cnpyorsa tinpe
than is customary on such occasions
My lord had Just whispered into my
lady's ear that his royal highncss was
actually on his way from the palace,
and triumph was blazing in her eyes
when the groom Of the chambers in q
loud, sonorous voice announced:
"Sir Harry Grahame and Mr.. Dunbar!'
saw once In an old picture gallery
In Germany painting which was ire
sistibly thrilling-a banquet hall. and
every guest by the hand of o cruel
magician turned into o stone statue
standing in tho exact position they were
In at the moment OF tho terrible incan
tation.
Here was living tableau OF the Ger
mon artists quaint conccit. Every
tongue was stilled; every form was mo
tionless; surprise seemed to have para
lyzed that vast assembly.
Lord ScarodelL Harry's old colonel
, was the first to recover his presence o.
mind He had been standing ut Lady
J Scarborough's right side whispering
! compliments in her willing ears, and HI
, was the first to notice her ghastly stars
{ at the two men approaching her.
, II nm right glad to see you in tn,
flesh. Harry Grahame; but by the Lord
] your dramatic entrance is i'll advised
| Look at your sisters, and"
! "Ah, yes; see-overcome with Joy
= my lord. at once more beholding thei