Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1896-02-22

Seymour asked she b%camingly.
'Oh. certainly, Do sit town" said
Mrs. Seymour, while Nell drew for
ward Il 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 Flandrcs for ovcr
n week. but somehow they seemed TO
have assimilatcd with none of the sets.
Perhaps their deep mourning isolated
them. as it prevented their joining the
cercle DIES strangers. but Mrs. Wild
Over felt that ii would be sweet and
cOndescendinG of her to take them un-
der her protection and 10 p~atronize
them.
And now. what will you both do?'
concluded the good lady. beaming on
them gOod-naturedly. "Nill YOU take
4 stall. Miss Seymour, or will you sing
in the concert. or play. or what
Miss Seymour hesitatcd and glanced
ut her mother. I'm afraid my sing
inc and playing don't amount to MUCH
she began, ''buf-'
'But she darces nicely, Mrs. Wild
over. if chat is # any use to YOU"
Mrs. Wildovcr gave Il little gasp. and
then suddenly recOllected that skirt
dancing was oI:e OF the recognized ac-
compliShmentS
That will ~ charming," she ex
claimed. And you don't think you will
be neTyOuS:'
Nell shook he, head decidedly.
Then that's all right. And won't
You help Us al all. Mrs. SEYMOUR
"Oh. III sell programs. take tickets.
anything you like" replied the lady,
laughing: maze myself generally use
fui. in fact"
"Well. anyway. that's something to
do exclaimed the girl when their Wis
itor had departed.
"EXactiy..'
But whether the game is worth the
candle; whether it's worth while vege-
tating here for a fortnight for the
pleasure of slowing ones ankles at Il
fancy fair. Tn sure | don't know"
Neither do l as yet, my dear. Wait
till the time comes. Well sOon see.
But you are certainly right in one
thing. Nell; black does not show you
off"
Tho girl gave something between
4 grint and Il laugh and glanced ut
herself in the long mirror, the invaria-
BILE adjunct TO IN apartment i'll Il for
eign hotel.
She was tall and very slight. with a
clear. colorleSs complexion and crisp
red hair: her eyes were heavily lidded,
and when she took the trouble to raise
them they were of a curious changeful
tone. In her black gown no one would
have called her pretty; yet to an OBJ
server there We're great possibilities
about her. She recognized the fact bet
ter than most people. and therefore
there vas some eXcuse for her petulant
turn from the glass.
Mrs. Seymour. on the other hand.
WAS short and plump and comfortable
looking. neither plain nor pretty. and
gifted with little appealing. helpless
way y II USUAL. SlOOl Z III NtlS
good stead. indeed
Il wish YOU would not sit smiling
there like that calculated Nell. i'm
patiently. Il can't see what you want
ed to come to Spa for"
Il am consumed with Il desire to
make Mrs. Wildover's acquaintance"
quietly replied her companion.
Then why on earth
"HuSh,.' said Mrs. Seymour. Let
us go down to the salon and talk about
the fancy fair"
For Il week little else was spoken of
among the English colony ut Spa. In
all likelihood Mrs. WildOver had never
been so happy in her i;fe. She spent
her whole time in busting and fussing
among her helpers. and the name of
Lady Lothair was scarcely ever off her
lips. Her constant companion and
right hand was little Mrs. Seymour.
Il really don't know what | could
do without YOU" she said on the even
ing preceding the cvcntful day. You
seem to think OF everything. dear Mrs.
Seymour
"Oh, | am so pleased to be of use to
you in anyway exclaimed her COM
panion. eagerly. "and so is Nellie"
Has her dress arrived?' asked Mrs.
Wildover.
YES | fancy she is trying it on now.
Would you care TO see it?'
With good-humOred cOndcscensiOn
Mrs. Wildover agreed. hut she started
back with Il cry of genuine amazement
when Mrs. Seymour threw open her
sitting-room and she realized that il
was indeed that Insignificant girl in
black" who stood before her.
She saw n vision of diaphanOuS dra-
peries. a of fimsy silk and lace.
and Il face pale rs Il lilly. but radiant
under Il glory of bright hair.
"Why-why. my dear girl, | never
realized how lovely you were before"
exclaimed the good lady as she sank
into Il seat.
Nell made some demure reply. and ex-
ccnted Il few graceful steps.
"Your gown is perfect, my dear, per-