The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1893-05-04
A MYSTERIOUS GUEST.


Lady Georgina Athol was "at home
on Thursdays; on those days her draw
ing and reception-rooms were over
crowded. Lady Georgina stood up
stairs in the reception-room and shook
hands so often that she did not know
finally whether she still had q. hand
of her own or no.
The guests continued ascending the
magnificent staircase tianked by rows
of powdered lackeys. The stream Of
people seemed to the hostess to be in
creasing. Her tongue was nearly par
alyzed from repeating the words of
welcome, her smile was becoming
forced. "How do you do?" How are
you? You did not bring your son?
No? Oh! l am so sorry!'
At this moment lady whispered to
her: please let me stand next to you
for a moment, Lady Georgina. 1
would like to know about the lady who
entered right after me. A wonderful
woman! Very charming!'
''Not Mrs. Venables? Blonde? Not
that? Then it certainly was Miss
Adair! No? Well, then. I must see
her before I can tell you who she is,
Mrs. KEITH
'"rhere she is-with the beautiful
hair. Now she is standing with the
BrabazOnS."
At this moment Lady Athol accident
ally dropped her bouquet and in the
act of taking it from the hand of her
inquisitive friend she did not hear-as
the orchestra was beginning Il polo
naise-the name of the young lady
bowling before. her. She was a strik-
ing beauty, with wonderful eyes. Lady
Athol extended her hand and said the
conventional How do you do?'
Then the Brabazons approached, so
that the lady had to pass on. Now
she bowed to an elderly lady, then
again to a well known gentleman and
so on to several persons: She was ap-
parently well known in society. Mrs.
Keith turned to the hostess.
She is very pretty said she. II
did not quite understand the name
Nor t. answered Lady Georsina,
land l can't place her, either. She
must be an acquaintance of my daugh-
ter But really was rather impolite.
If you should meet my girls pray send
them to me, Mrs. Keith. Oh, here
do go'into the hall room and find out
the name of that striking beauty with
the auburn hair
Il WILL
Ten minutes later Lady Georgina be-
gan to go among her guests. Not until
half an hour later did she meet one Of
her daughters.
Maud, who is that lady over yOnder
lna nj ~ tD1-
I'm white. mamma? l do not know
her, either
II thought you could inform me.
Look for Joanna and send her to me-"
1t was about twenty minutes before
the younger daughter came to her
mother.
Il know whom you mean, mamma,
but cannot place her. She has beau
-tiful auburn hair and wears white
gown of Partisan make"
Mrs Keith again doomed up. Lord
George does not know her. said she.
"Oh! I will find it out directly"
thought Joanna. ''She has just been
talking with Lord Charles Vincent; L
will ask him
Young Vincent, laughing heartily, was
leaning against a pillar. Two of his
friends were evidently making him
the target Of their jokes. Joanna over
heard several words.
1T was great sport to watch your
surprised face, Charlie, when she spoke
of having met you before at Nice
AYes. and our dear old Charlie has
never stepped out of England
Just then Sir Vincent noticed Miss
Athol. "May l take you to superb
he asked her.
II do not know as yet. Perhaps
who is the lady to whom you We're
speaking IA few minutes ago. he
laughed.
well, you see Miss Athol. those
two bows have been teasing me about
it. too. You mean that beautiful young
woman with the pretty hair, do you
not
Yes
Il stood behind her when she turned
around and, extending her hand, said:
Sir Vincent, is it nOt?' And as / nod
ded assent she remarked that it was so
long since she had seen me last. l
could not, very we'll, answer that she
was mistaken, so I said, Yes, it is long
ago. and then we chatted a little
AT what place did the unknown
woman say she had met yOu?" asked
Joanna.
well, Miss Athol, that was what we
talked about finally. She remarked
that it must be two years ago since
we met at Nice. and my vanity prompt
ed me to assent to so many of her re-
marks that did not have the courage
to right her mistake. At any rate she
mistOok me for somebody else
Miss Athol returned to her mother.
On her way she noticed the beautiful
unknown cOnversng with old Mr.. Bra
bacon.
''She dropped her fan Intentionally"
whispered Mrs. Keith. land the polite
old gentleman picked it up and natur-
ally they engaged in conversation.
Well. dear Joanna, what did Sir Vim
cent tell you?''
''Just about nothing; she mistook him
for some one else Just then the
stranger greeted Lady Beckenham. 81
! will ask Lady Beckenham"
Il do not know her. although she
bowed to me- said that aristocratic
lady; and after Il pause: Lady Athol.
in your place l would ask her myself. y
eyes I 500 no Otbar view n,,t of - -,