Cherry County independent. (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 18??-1896, 1896-03-12
A FANCY FAIR.

'COulun we get up SuDScTlpllOu
or something for the widow"
''Of course we must do something; in
ones own hotel it is too dreadful" and
Mrs. Wildover shuddered and her COM
panions did the same; in fact, the whole
Hotel de Flandres had had it's withers
wrIng and it's nerves shaken in n sim
gularly ghastly fashion. One OF .he
walters, while handing around dish
at the dejeuner had suddenly turned
white, reeled, and then, in sight Of all
the guests, fallen down in a heap upon
the polished floor.
eyes, we must undoubtedly do some
thing" continued Mrs. Wildover; "but
it's pity it can't be something more
general than a subscription among our
selves. Couldn't we organize some
kind of beneft-of entertainments
ga fancy fairr' exclaimed two Or
three ladies in breath.
"It would be splendid idea! But
who is to organize it,"
"Oh, you-you, Mrs. Wildover! Oh,
do.'
Mrs. Wildover smiled modestly.
ooh, but I'm afraid 1 shouldn't be
able /"
Yes, yes, you would.
"But you'll all help, won't you"
asked the lady, looking around. 81
think We'll keep it 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 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
many suitors 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-room sofa in the little
house at Peckham after reading a 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.
Wildover'S 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, lady most popular in
London society, and one whose broad
wings could, and they would, help poor
Mrs. Wildover 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.
81 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
door to her left, and, closing it behind
her. tossed her hat petulantly on to the
table.
"Js 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.
''What's the matter?" she asked,
glancing at her companion
Nothing more than usual. Why will
you insist on staying here, and like |
this?-it's awful"
"You are always so impatient, Nell.
l tell you that"
A sharp knock at the door interrupt
ed her. "EntreZw called the girl curt
ly, and then, to both women's astonish-