The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1892-02-03
MRS. DARBISHIRE.

On one of Lady George (Athors
''first Thursdays her rooms were tlll-
ing to overflow. Barn street was
blocked with carriages. Lady George
stood on the big square landing at the
top of the stairs and gave her hand so
often that after time it seemed no
longer her own. The people thronged
up and up. The current appeared un-
ending, and she felt almost as II the
circle must be complete and the string
of guests must be revolving, as IN
ehild's toy the figures that are gummed
on tape and go up to the mill move
in endless succession up and up and
up.
Her tongue was tired, too, and so
was her smile, but each was kept IN
active work. '.How do you do?"
..How do you doP'' How do you dop''
"Your son not with you? No? l am
sorry" What lovely flowers?' How
do you do?" No, almost cold"
"How do you doP" Yes, sitting"
.'Ah, Mrs. Keith; l scarcely thought
you would get away. Dull; was it?
What! none of the right peopleP
Didn't suppose for an instant there
would be-
LET me stand here for one moment.
1 want so much to know who some one
is who came in just before us. A
beautiful woman. Quite too lovely"
Mrs. Venables. probably. Not Mrs.
Venables? FairP Lady Fleet? No?
Miss AdairP No? Then l can't tell
you till see herr
"She is coming up now. There,
with the fair hair. No-in front OF the
Brabazons."
Lady George had the mischance
to drop her bouquet, and in the mo-
mentary confusion name was lost.
The lady who advanced behind the
unheard name was fair to whiteness
almost. Her hair was of a peculiar
shade of yellow, like pale sulphur.
| Her eyes were of the lightest gray.
Lady George gave her hand aud
said, Chow do YOU doP" The Braba-
IONS occupied her with some elaborate
explanation about why they had been
| unable to. dine in Barn street, and in
the meantime the lady, with muir
INJURED word, had passed on. Lady
George looked after her. She was
bowling to some one. She was bowling
again, and now again; apparently she
had many friends IN the room.
|
| Keith, who as soon as he had moved
away turned to her hostess.
''She is handsome. l hope your
flowers were not spoiled. 1 didn't
catch the name" The lady was lost
in the smart crowd Neither did l.
said Lady George, blankly, 'and
don't know her from Adam. She must
be some friend of the girls. Joan OF
Maud must have sent her card-my
memory is so bad. l can't leave this
if you come across either of my daugh
ters will you send her to me. Mrs
Keith? Oh, here is my husband
George, George, 90 into the room anC
tell me who the striking looking
woman with the yellow hair is"
There are dozens of 'em. WhichP
''Tll show you," said Mrs. Keith
She was interested.
The two moved away, but like the
raven from the ark, they did not re
turn.
Lady George after ten minutes or 81
felt that she had done her duty, anC
she left the top of the stairs. She for
got the unknown lady. and it was hal
an hour before she came across one O
her daughters.
MAUD, had something to ask yol
and 1 forgot what. Oh. yes. Who i
I can't see her now-yes, there sh'
is-that-woman with the yellow hair
standing by the mantelpiece?"
I'm white? don't know"
''But neither do l. l thought yol
would be able to tell me. Find Joal
and send her to me"
1t was twenty minutes before Lady
Georges second daughter appeared
before her. By that time the lady had
moved her place.
II know the one you mean," saiC
Joan. ''but I don't know who she is
She has very curious hair and she is in
white"
''Yes."
well. don't know"
Mrs. Keith came up.
Lord George doesn't know" she
said
Il can easily find OUT" said Joan
''She has been talking to Charlie Vim
cent for the last ten minutes; I'll asl
him.
She moved away as she spoke.
Young Vincent was leaning against
pillar and laughing heartily. He
was the butt for the moment of the
chaff of two of his friends. Joar
heard a few of their remarks.
He didn't mind. don't you know
awfully pretty woman like that
Neither would you.''
''Said she met him at Nice, and deal
old Charles never been out of th,
country in his life.''
Vincent caught Miss Athol's eyes.
''You are going to let me take you