The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1896-12-04
MRS. DAYENPORT'S DILEMMA.

Mr.. Davenport hated society, but Mrs
Davenport adore1 it; and so, like ami
able married people. they agreed to diff
fer. and each to go their own way, quite
cordially enjoying. after the battle was
over, narrating to each other what had
happened. When Mrs. Davenport was
very young. Mr. Davenport had care
fully accompanied her to her carriage.
had sent her maid to take care of her,
and had himself sat up 10 receive her
VIXEN she re urned. But as she grew
Older, this sensitive care relaxed. He
found that she was quite content to
20 alone. and he allowed her TO do 50.
with the family coachman on the box.
She in her turn was determined that
he should not be deprived Of mis- natural
rest, but should allow some satellite to
ST up and watch for her as she came
home.
There bad been talk Of nightkey,
but Mrs. Davenport thought that was
too masculine, and she also had sus-
picion that she should never learn how
TO use it. so Ans. Davenport. strong I'D
the confidence of her husbands love.
serene Of conscience. and enjoying the
DEVOTION OF large family OF servants
who loved her, went off To Mrs. Apple
by's ball, on the evening of November
Il. looking lovely.
The bail was large and fne, and Mrs.
Davenport enjoyed it. She is a pop
uiar woman, and both men and women
like her. She would have left at one
o'clock, her usual hour, but that Herr
ven Bergmans, the German phllologist,
was presented TO ner, and talked so well.
and was 50 evidently inspired by her
bright eyes, that she STAYED on; and
then the hostess had the great singer,
Larcmburinani, who must be spoken 10
in Italian, and Mrs. Davenport speaks
Italian with the true Tuscan purity.
SO she left the bail very late. Stick
ncll. her coachmsn, was sleepy and
cross, and after depositing her at
No. 80, he drove off very quickly.
IL was a fine nigh5-moon brilliant.
Mars splendid. Jupiter magn ficent.
Mrs. Davenport gazed upward admir-
ingiy. almost regretting TO leave scene
which paled the ornamentation OF the
ballroom ceiling.
She was destined TO see a good deal
mere Of those same stars than she had
bargained for on that particular night,
poor woman,
She rang sharply.
Nobody came.
he nd q rain and
Nobody came.
Mrs. Davenport began 10 feel chilly
about the feet, which were delicately
clad in white satin slippers and silk
stockings.
She wrapped her cloak about her and
looked up at No. 80, her own familiar
brown stone, four-story. comfortable
house.
Not q sign of movement, although the
gas burned in the hall.
She rang. and rang, and rang. No
response.
And then she realized that she was
locked out, that every body was asleep.
and that there she might stay all the
rest of the night. She remembered,
alas. too late. that she had trusted 20
her waiter. a gentleman of African de-
scent, " ho had been known 10 go to
sleep on these night watches, to let
her in. Now he seemed to be sunk in
the deepest oblivion. But then. II Or
lando slept. some one else mad general
ly walked. and either reused him or let
her in individually. Mrs. Davenport
shuddered. A night on her own front
steps.
She kept on ringing desperately, and
pounded the door with a delicate fist.
Presently policeman came along, and
to him she appealed.
"oh. got key?" said he. Let me
help YOU unlock the door
But | have not a kew" said the
miserable woman. II never had KEY. =
Bad, bad" said the guardian of the
public peace. Il never knew them to
wake Up. However, [ will rap for
YOU" So he pounded the blinds with
Ms club. ard made terrible noise.
Two or three heads looked oHt o. the
opposite windows. One invalid az Al
raised window and begged piteousIy
that her rest might not be thus ruth
less!y ruined.
Lady locked out!' sang the police
man.
We'll. IS that any reason why you
soould try TO wake the dead% sad d tine
irate clergyman opposite
The policeman wicked on, leaving
.rs. Davenport Ia despair.