Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1896-03-04
A FANCY FAIR.

Couldn't we get up q subscription
VI something for the widowr
"Of course we must do something; II
ones own hotel it Is too dreadful" ant
Mrs. Wildover shuddered and her com
panions did the same; in fact, the who'll
Hotel de Flandres had had Its witherl
wrung and its nerves shaken In n sin
gularly ghastly fashion. One Of rh'
walters, while handing around disl
at the deJeuner, had suddenly turne>
white, reeled, and then, in sight OF al
the guests, fallen down In q hemp upOl
the polished floor.
Yes, we must undoubtedly do some
thing" con ntinued Mrs. Wildover; "but
It's a pity 1t can't be something mol
general than a subscription among our
selves. Couldn't we organize some
kind of a beneft-of entertainment
"A fancy fairw exclaimed two O'
three ladies in a breath.
1T would be a splendid idea! But
who is TO organize itT'
"Oh, you-you, Mrs. Wildover! Oh
do.'
Mrs Wildover smiled modestly.
"Oh, but I'm afraid / shouldn't he
able I"
Yes. yes, you would"
But you'll all help. won't you?'
asked the lady, looking around. Il
think well keep 1t strictly among our
selves: only the English ladies Of the
hotel must be allowed to take an active
part in the bazaar"
Her audience gave q rapid assent,
and Mrs. Wildover Immediately plung-
ed into plans and projects. Mrs. Wild
over was fat, 40, and, thanks to True
fit. also fair; but had there not existed
a meek, timid-eyed little creature
known as Mrs. Wildover's husband. it
is certain that she could have had as
many sIIitors as she wished, for Mrs.
Wildover was ridiculously, fabulously
rich. The fact had come upon her as
rather a surprise some half dozen
years earlier, when she had tainted
on her drawing-roo sofa in the little
house at Peckham after reading law
yer's letter which informed her that an
almost forgotten uncle in America had
died. leaving her not only his whole
fortune. but his share In some petro-
leum springs down country.
From that moment it had been Mrs.
Wildoyers not unnatural desire to soar
above the musical evenings and card
parties of Peckham and New Cross.
She went everywhere, was indefatiga-
BILE in all charitable undertakings, her
shrewdness telling her that they often
proved the thin edge of the society
wedge. Now. at the Hotel de Flan--
dreS, there was staying at this particu-
lar moment singularly beautiful dow
ager-countesS, a lady most popular in
London society, and one whose broad
wings could, and they would, help poor
Mrs WildOyer in her flight
DO you suppose Lady Lothair would
help u.s." she asked, tentatively. No
body seemed quite sure, but everyone
thought that Mrs. Wildover would ask
her.
Lady Lothair was cordial and sympa.
thetic. promised to attend the fair, and
even volunteered to allow some Of her
photographs TO be sold there. In fact,
plump Mrs. Wildover, who was usually
very sure of the ground she trod on.
scarcely felt her feet as she left Lady
Lothair's room. 1t was the beginning
of her success. she thought, and think
ing so. she collided heavily with some
one coming in the opposite direction.
Il beg your pardon"
Indeed, it was my fault"
And both passed on in their several
directions.
The person who had gone to the wall
in the collision was slight girl dressed
IN deep mourning. She turned into a
door to her left, and, closing it behind
her. tossed her hat petulantly on to the
table
rs that you, Nell?' called a voice
from the balcony.
YES; come in, want to talk to you"
The other woman entered. She also
was dressed in deep mourning.
Whats the NATTER" she asked,
glancing at her companion.
Nothing more than usual. Why Will
you insist on staying here. and like
this s?-its awful"
"You are always so impatient, Nell
tell you that"
sharp knock at the door interrupt
ed her. "Entrez,' called the girl curt
Iy. and then, to both women's astonish.
nent, tie big form of Mrs. WiIdover
pDmed upon them.
Can you spare Inc Eve minutes, Mrs.
SEYMOUR" asked she beamingly.
''Oh. certainly! Do sit down." said
Mrs. Seymour, while Nell drew for
ward a chair
I've come to ask you If you would
are to help us" continued Mrs. Wild
,ver, as she proceeded to unfold the
Icheme of the fair.
Mrs Seymour and her daughter had
,een a the Hotel de Flandres for over
week, but somehow they seemed to
laye assimilatcd with none Of the sets.
Perhaps their deep mourning isolated
hem. as 1t prevented their Joining the
,ercle des strangers, but Mrs. Wild
over felt that it would be sweet and
.ondescending of her to take them un-
Ter her protection and to patroni1e
them.
And now, what will you both dor
concluded the good lady. beaming on
them good-naturedly. "Win you take
stall, Miss Seymour, or Will you sing
h the concert, or play, or what?"
Miss Seymour hesitated and glanced
1t her mother. I'm afraid my sing
ng and playing don't amount to much,
yhe began, but