Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1896-03-20

bIO bINiO lCiiON NdA NoihNN CSOsHi
where a stage bad been erected,
and where several people were
content to crowd together and en-.
dure the efforts Of several singers
in order to enjoy the sight OF Miss
Srymours dancing. Nothing WAS
spoken Of but her grace her charm
and the magnificent diamonds
which Mrs. RIldo;er had lent her.
Mrs. Seymour had, however,
been so busy looking alter other
people, taking charge of their
temporary absences, that it was
late before she was able to get
near the place where her daughter
was dancing for the sixth or sew
enth time.
The mother stood just inside the
door conspicuous IN the black gown
which she still wore; Nell was a.
cross the stage, her draperies
weaving fantastic figures around
her, when suddenly her steps grew
uncertain, her arms dropped Imply
to her side and she fell like log
upon the stage.
A cry ran through the little
booth; Mrs. Seymour pushed quick
ly forward.
'She has falntedy she cried IN
alarm. "a doctorl Is there no one
who Will fetch a doctoli'
Il am at your service, madam,
said a young man, making his way
rapidly to the stage.
The next moment he had raised
the tAlntlng girl in his arms and
was carry ing her to sone qule'
spot. EvOrl one was lost in pity
for the poor widow, who Vas b"
side herself with grief and alarm.
In a very short time, however, a
melancholy little procession le't
the bazaar by a side entrance.
The men carried The still uncOn'
scleus girl on a SPECIES OF im
provised hammock, and Mrs. Sew
mour AMI the doctor walked sadl'
by her 81 lie They all enterel the
hotel; the servants placed her on
the bed, and then the doctor de
clared thar they could do nOihlng
more for their partlent. They
we're, IN fact, few hands to be sDar
ed aud the busy hote'-keeper was
delighted when Mrs. S-ynOur de
clned all offers of help, aud dc.
clared that sue would nurse her
daughter herself.
1t WAS tllly 2 o'clock In the
morning when the strange doctor
left the hotel the night porter who
let him out asked for news OF
mademolselle. Her medical At
tendant shook his head:
Don't let anybody go bother
lns there IN the morning to Inquire
aft r her; everything depends on
keeping her q 'ietr
At midday, however. Mrs. VII
dover would take no further denial
and insisted on g1ing to lnq lire
for her friends. Several times sh"
Knocked intKrctually; atlaSt, grow
ing alarmed, she tried the door
It was locked. After considerable
nelay the door bad to be forced
open, and, white az death, Mos.
WIldover rushed in before ANYONE
else. 1t was, indeed, her cry
which made tue others follow bel
with a rush, expecting they hard
Iy knew what tragic spectacle a"
A natter OF fact. Dothlug met their
e7es bnt a couple of mourning
costumes, neatly folded on n chsi'
and the dIAphanOus dancing dress
iying in a heap on the door. Fol
the rest-nOthlng ng-nobody.
Tue astonIshment way so great
that 1t was fully a minute before
Anyone graspsd the situation.
'Gott in himmell My bill! They
are swindlersp gasped the hotel
keeper, iudlng his wits first
'Swindlerspej calculated Mrs. Wild
over. 'Ah my diamondsP
Everyone gazed at her speech b
less: in a moment the whols thing
was as clear as nOondhy, aud, IN
the confusion of the fair, mourning
garb doffed, they had escaped aud
won a good twelve hours start.
Mrs. WildOver startled everyone
by a peal OF hearty laughter.
SHE'S mahp screalne | one In
borrow. 'rhe loss OF hsr diamonds
has turned her head
The diamonds, she glsped
after second. THAT'S just I'll
left them at my bankers in London
Those the girl had were paste.'
No one ever quite knew wba
the exact figure Of ths receipts o
Il D., NeQ