Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1893-11-15

his protege Would you like to know
herr?
This was very much the same thing as
asking a struggling artist whether he
would like to know the president OF the
Royal academy, or a subaltern whether
he would like to know the commander
in-chief; but Schneider, who had studied
the manners of the best young men OF
the day, felt it incumbent upon him to
dissemble his glee. He looked down at
his boots, sighed YEARLY and muttered
something of which the word de
lighted" was alone Ineligible.
f'Oh, not unless you wish" said Lord
Guise laughing Il only thought that,
as you are fond OF going to parties, you
might care to be invited to hers. Be
sides she has personal merits. Somebody
said of some woman or other that to
know her was liberal education. Well,
it's quite an education to know Sybll
Belvoir, though | don't say that it's
quite the sort Of education which |
should select for my son, if | were I'M
fortunate enough to have a son."
II dare say she won't be able to tell
me much that ] don't know" observed
Mr. Schneider, with "a complacent smile
II suppose not assented Lord Guise
gravely She sometimes makes me
open my eyes; but then I'm wonderful
ly innocent for my age. Well, then, I'll
introduce you to her at Paddington
House tonight By the way, are you
going to Paddington House? Not had a
card? Never mind; you can dine with
me, and we'll go on there together. That
will be all right"
Schneider had much ado to keep him
self from jumping for joy. Hitherto he
had derived little social advantage from
his intimacy with Lord Guise, but this
was an offer of which he somewhat ex-
aggerated the generosity and signifi-
cance The Duchess of Paddington was
a great lady, and the duke was great
even among dukes, but perhaps they
were little too great to be exclusive.
At any rate when they threw open
their magnificent ballroom the crowd
which poured into it was apt to contain
quite as many nobodies as celebrities.
There was not the least fear of their OBJ
jecting to the entrance of any unlimited
guest for whom Lord Guise might see
fit to make himself responsible. Not
realizing this. Mr. Schneider arrayed
himself with more than usual care, and
joyfully accompanied his kind sponsor
to the big house of which the outside is
known to all Londoners and the inside
to not IA few His reception was most
gratifying, for the duchess shook hands
with him, and the duke, he was fattered
to find. knew quite well who he was.
I've often seen you at Newmarket,
Mr. Schneider" said that good natured
magnate; "in fact you are aracing man,
| believe, are you not?'
"Oh, only in a very modest way" an
swered Schneider, who was doubtful
whether he ought not to say your
grace" but decided that it would be
safer to omit that ceremonious form of
address
HIN! | don't know about modest;
you're the terror Of the ring, they tell
me. AS for me. I've been racing all my
life and never had bet: but I'm excep-
tlonal, suppose.
The duke was exceptionally wealthy,
and could therefore afford to race with
out betting. but Schneider, not liking to
remind him of that merely observed
that race would hardly seem like a
race unless one had something on it.
"Ah, there it is" returned the duke;
you young fellows don't care about
sport for its own sake Not one in ten of
you can tell good horse from bad one.
either"
One does not like to have such dread
full things as that said to one even by a
duke, and of course they are all the more
painful when they are said in perfect
ly good natured and matter of course
way Mr. Schneider, somewhat abashed.
fell back and surveyed the company,
amongst which he was quite sorry to
recognize so many people whom he knew
1t was satisfactory that they should see
him at Paddington house, but it was less
satisfactory to see them there. He would
much have preferred that they should
be made aware of the high society to
which he had been admitted by the news
papers on the following morning
Meanwhile his interests were not be-
ing neglected by his introducer Lord
Guise shouldered his way through the
throng towards Lady Belvoir, whom he
found dancing with his friend Eustace
Moreton. and with whom he entered
into conversation, altogether disregard
ing the presence Of her partner.
What particular mischief are you up
to now?' he began by inquiring. 81
suppose you never go to ball without
designs upon some poor beggar's peace
Of mind, do your
81 go to balls to dance" answered
Lady Belvoir: 81 thought you never
went to balls at all. To what do we
owe this unusual treat?"
II suppose if | said | came here to
meet you you would think was telling
q lie, wouldn't your" asked Lord tiuise.
mo" she answered. Il shouldn't
think so; should be sure of it. often
wonder why you dislike me so much,
considering that have never done you