The Cook County herald., 1894-03-24
TIE FAIR UNKNOWN.

1nurSdayS' her rooms were filling 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 unending,
and she felt almost as if the circle
must be complete, and the string of
guests must be revolving, as in a
child's toy the figures that are gummed
on to tape and go up to the mill
move in endless succession up, and I'D,
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 do" How do you do?' Your
son not with you? No? am sorry"
What lovely fowers!' "How do you
do? How do you do?' mo, almost
cold" "How do you doY' Yes,
sitting "Ah, Mrs. Keith-I scarcely
thought you would get away. Dull
was it? What, none Of the right peo-
pie? Didn't suppose for an instant
there would be-
Let me stand here for one moment.
one is who came in just before us. A
beautiful. woman. Quite: too loyely."
drs. venables. probably Not Mrs.
Venables? Fair? Lady Fleet? No?
Then can't tell you till see her"
She is coming up now. There, with
with the fair hair. No-in front of
the Brabazons." Lady George had the
'mischance to drop her bouquet, and in
the momentary confusion name was
lost.
The lady who advanced behind the
unhelrd name was fair to whiteuess
almost. Her hair was of peculiar
shade Of yellow, like pale sulphur. Her
eyes were Of the lightest gray.
Lady George gave her hand and said:
How do you do" The Brabazons oc-
cupied her with some elaborate expla
nation rs to why they had been una
BILE to dine in Barn street, and in the
meantime 7the lady, with a murmured
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.
Mr. Brabazcn was talking to Mrs.
Keith, who, as soon as he had moved
away, turned to her hostess.
She is handsome. I hope your flow
'ers were not spoiled. I didn't catch
the name.' The lady was lost in the
smart crowd.
Neither did IT, said Lady George,
'blandly, and don't know her from
Adam. She must be some friend Of the
girls Joan or Maud must have sent
ner card-my memory is so bad. I
can't leave this; If you come across
either Of my daughters, will Won send
sher to me, Mrs. Keith? Oh, here is NV
husband. George-George- 20 into the
room and tell me who the striking
woman with the yellow hair is"
There are dozens of 'em. Which?"
III show .you,' said Mrs. Keith.
oShe was interested.
The two moved away; but like the
rasen flom the ark, they did not re-
turn.
Lady George, after ten minutes or 50.
felt that she had done her duty, and
she left the top. of the stairs. She
forgot the unknown lady, and it was
half an hour before she came across
ono of her daughters.
Maud, I had something to ask you
and forgot what. Oh, yes. Who is
can't see her now-yes. there she is
that woman with the yellow hair stand
ing by the mantelpiece?'
In white? I don't know"
But neither do I. I thought YOU
would be able te>tel me- Find Joan
and send her to me-"
It was twenty minutes before Lady
Georges second daughter appeared be-
fore her. By that time the lady had
moved her place.
Il know the one you mean,''' said
Joan, "but / don't know who she is.
She has very curious hair and she is
in white'' ss. z..rss<#r
Yes" H. 3D.. zss> #. r
..Weu, I don't knew
Mrs. Keith came up. 5 n,
Lord George doesn't know" she
said Fl ~.
Il can easily find out said Joan;
"she has been talking to Charlie Vincent
for the last ten minutes; Eli ask him."
She moved away as she spoke.
Young Vincent was leaning against
a pillar and laughing heartily. He
was the butt for the moment OF the
chaff Of two Of his friends. Joan
heard <ew OF their remarks.
He didn't mind, don't you know
aWfully pretty woman like that. Nei-
ther would you. { a.@