The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1893-07-11

"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 youG"
"Just about nothing; she mistook
him for some one else" Just then the
stranger greeted Lady Beckenham. 81
will ask Lady Beckenham."
81 do not know her, although she
bowed to me-" said that a~ristocratic
lady, and after a pause: LADY Athol,
In your place I would ask her myself y
Yes, [ see no other way out of it,"
answered the hostess and walked ma
jestically toward her strange guest.
Pardon me-" said she, "but 1 did
not understand your name, my mem
DRY is so poor; I really cannot place
you"
II am Mrs. Darbyshire," answered
the stranger. 81 was SO sorry not to
have been at home when you were so
kind as to call last Monday"
"Darbyshire! I called on your The
lady Immediately understood the ex-
preston upon the face of her hostess.
"Is there any possibility of a mis-
take here9" she asked politely. "Of
course I have not the pleasure of know
ing you personally, but I know that I
have been recommended to you by my
dear friends the Van Lindens of New
York"
Lady Georgina seemed still more sur
prised and was speechless, but Mrs.
Darbyshire was quite overcome her
self. ''You are Mrs. Seton, are you
not9" said she.
"OhI no, indeedl You are mistaken;
I am Lady Georgina Athol."
Mrs. Darbyshire stepped back
abashed. ''How can I excuse myself
to you3" she uttered, bewildered. 81
am a stranger in London and came
here from New York only two weeks
ago, I had a letter of introduction to
Mrs. Seton. 1 came here in a hired
carriage and was b ought to the wrong
house."
Lady Georgina laughed heartily.
Now it is all explained. Mrs. Seftonl
lives opposite, but in Bryanstone
street."
THAT was the address, I believe"
said the American lady.
"And my house is in Bryanstone
square,"
"Oh, how sorry I am that this has
happened y answered Mrs. Darbyshire.
mot at all, dear Mrs. Darbyshire,"
Lady Georgina politely remarked. 81
am glad to have become acquainted
with you"
Mrs. Darbyshire bowed with re-
peated excuses and bid her good even
ing with the usual clasp of hands. AS
she was about to descend the stairway
she met a man with military bearing
who looked at her p~enetratingly and
quickly sought Lady Georgina.
"Pray tell me who was the lady who
just went down stairs9''
Give minutes ago I would have
asked you, the 'omniscent' Col. Weston!
She isMrs. Darbyshire from New York.
"Do you know her more Intimately
No9 Then-I beg your pardon, Lady
Georginar
Thereupon Col. Weston ran down
the stairs in three strides. Mrs. Darby
shire, wrapped in furs, was leaving the
vestibule.
Nellie Lestocq! Will you permit
me to see you to your hotel9" the col
onel said quietly. The lady smiled
and nodded.
You are very kind" said she az she
allowed one of the lackeys to put on
one of her overshoes. Both entered
the carriage. The colonel turned to
his pretty companion.
$50 we meet again, mademoiselle9
Eyes, sir"
"Mademoiselle moves very adroitly
under the patronage of a lady like
Mrs. Athol."
without doubt, monsieur"
1T is certainly a more agreeable
patronage than that of Scotland Yard.
Monsieur is joking"
"Mademoiselle, I should like to know
what you have in your pockets"
"My handkerchief, monsieur"
What else9"
"a silk purse" And she showed it
to him.
"What else?'
Nothing more"
"Mademoiselle, that man there at
tho corner wearing q helmet. is a con