Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1896-04-23
A FANCY FAIR.


"Of course we must do something; In
ones own hotel it is too DREADFUL ana
Mrs Wildovcr shuddered and her com
panions did the same; IN fact, th2
whole Hotel de Flandres had had It's
withers wrung and its nerves shaken
that morning in singularly ghastlH
fashion One of the walters, while
handing around dish at the deJerner
had suddenly turned white, reeled, and
then, in sight OF all the guests, fallen
down In heap upon the polished moor.
YES, we must undoubtedly do some
thing" continued Mrs. Wildover; but
It's a pity it can't be something more
general than subscription among our
selves. Couldn't we organize some
kind OF beneiit-of entertainment
"A fancy fair" exclaimed two o.
three ladies In breath.
ut would be a splendid idea. But
who is to organize IT."
"Oh, you you, Mrs. WildoVer! Oh,
dor'
Mrs. Wildover smiled modestly.
"Oh, but I'm afraid ! shouldn't be
able /"
"Yes, yes, you would
But you'll all help, won't your
asked the lady. looking around. Il
think wen keep 1t strictly among our.
selves; only the English ladies OF the
hotel must be allowed 10 take an active
part In the bazaar"
Her audience gave rapid assent,
and Mrs. Wildovcr Immediately
plunged into plans and projects, Mrs.
Wildover was fat, 40, and, thanks to
Trueftt, also fair; but had there not
existed u meek, timid-cycd little Great
ure known as Mrs Wildovers' husband,
II Is certain that she could have had as
many sultors ns she wished for Mrs.
Wildoyer was ridiculously, fabulously
rich. The fact had come upon her as
rather a surprise some half dozen years
earlier, when she had tainted Oh her
drawing room sofa In the little house
at Peckham after reading lawyers
letter which Informed her that an al
most forgotten uncle in America had
died leaving her not only his whole
fortune, but his share In some pctro
leum springs down country.
From that moment II 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 indefatig
able IN all charitable undertakings, her
shrewdness telling her that they often
proved the thin edge of the society
wedge Now, at the Hotel de Elan
dres, there was staying at this particu-
lar moment singulnrly beautiful dow
ager-countess, n 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 us?" she asked tentatively. No
body seemed quite sure, but everyone
thought that Mrs, Wildover would ask
her.
= Lady Lothian was cordial and SYM
pathetic, promised to attend the fhi:,
and even volunteered to allow some OF
her photographs to he sold there, In
fact, plump Mrs. Wildovcr who was
usually very sure OF the ground she
trod on, scarcely felt her feet AZ she
left Lady Lothnir's room. 1t was the
beginning Of her success, She thought,
and thinking 80, she collidCl heavily
with someone coming in the opposite
direction
Il beg your pardon
Indeed II 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 n door to her left, and, closing Il
behind her, tossed her hat pctulantly
on TO the table.
rs that you, Ncll?" called 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 NATTER" she asked,
CHANGING at her companion
mo hing more than usual Why will
you insist on staying here. and like
this?--it's awful"
You arc always so impatient, Nell
tell you that t"
A sharp knock at the door inter.
rupted her. "Entiezw called tho girl
curtly and then, to both women's as
tcnishmont, the Zig form of Mrs. Wild
over doomed upon them.
Can YOU spare me Ave minutes, Mrs,
Seymour" asked she beaminGly.
oh certainly! DO sit down" said
Mrs, Seymour. while Nell drew forward
n chair,
I've come to ask you If YOU would
care to help us" continued Mrs Wild
over, as she proceeded TO unfold the
scheme OF the fair.
Mrs. Seymour and her daughter had
been at the Hotel de Flnndres for over
n week, but somehow they seemed to
have assimilated with none of the sets.