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

Inc girl lauSneQ. anu the HlOlHeT De-
gan to turn over a Bradshaw" in a
businesslike fashion.
The fancy hair was not to be opened
until the evening. A great number OF
| tickets had been sold, and there was
quite an imposing list of figures in the
account-book Mrs. Seymour carried, for
she had arranged to relieve Mrs. Wild
over of all the mere business part of
the affair, and was really secretary and
| treasurer rolled into one.
do you know that Harry is here?''
exclaimed Nell, in low voice, as she
burst into Mrs. Seymour's room on the
afternoon of the great day.
"Of course he is. | sent for him
But"
"How silly you are. Nell! You are
delicate. l could not allow you to dance
unless there were an efficient medical
man on the spot. Suppose you were to
| faint?'
But if Harry forms one OF our
party"
THAT would be absurd; no, he will
|
| gency.'
| At that moment Mrs. Wildoyer's maid
| appeared at the door. with her mis-
tresses' compliments and several mo-
rocco cases, and message that that
| lady would like to see Miss Seymour
| when she was quite ready.
"You are positively charming, my
| dearr' calculated Mrs. Wildover, when
| the girl stood before her dressed, ''and
| let me tell you that you look worth
more hundreds of pounds than you
| have lived years"
1t soon became apparent that the at
traction of the fair was in the little
yellow -curtained booth, where stage
had been erected, and where several
people were content to crowd together
| and endure the efforts of several sing
ers in order TO enjoy the sight of Miss
Seymour's dancing. Nothing was
spoken of but her grace, her charm and
the magnificent diamonds which Mrs
WildOver had lent her.
Mrs. Seymour had, however, been so
busy looking after other people, taking
charge of their stalls during their tenn
porary absences, that it was late before
she was able to get near the place
where her daughter was dancing for
the sixth or seventh time.
The mother stood just inside the door,
conspicuous in the black gown which
she still wore; Nell was floating across
the stage, her draperies weaving fan
tastic figures around her, when sud
denly 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 quickly for
ward.
'She has faintedv' she cried in
alarm. ga doctor! Is there no one who
will fetch a doctor?"
Il am at your service, madam" said
a young man, making his way rapidly
to the stage.
The next moment he had raised the
fainting girl in his arms and was carry
ing her to some quiet spot. Everyone
who was beside herself with grief and
alarm.
In very short time, however, a mel
ancholy little procession left the bazaar
by a side entrance. The men carried
the still unconscious girl on a species
of improvised hammock, and Mrs. Sey-
mOur and the doctor walked sadly by
her side. They all entered the hotel;
the servants placed her on the bed, and
then the doctor declared that they
could do nothing more for their patient.
They were, in fact, few hands to be
spared, and the busy hotel-keeper was
delighted when Mrs. Seymour declined
all offers of help, and declared that she
would nurse her daughter herself.
It was fully 2 o'clock in the morning
when the strange doctor left the hotel;
the night porter who let him out asked
for news of mademOiselle. Her med.
ical attendant shook his head:
Don't let anybody go bothering there
in .he morning to inquire after her; ev-
erything depends on keeping her quiet
At midday, however Mrs. Wildove1
would take no further denial, and in
sisted on going to inquire for her
friends. Several time she knocked in
effectually; at last, growing alarmed,
she tried the door. 1t was locked.
After considerable delay the door had
to be forced open, and, white as death,
Mrs. Wildover rushed in before anyone
else. 1t was, indeed, her cry which
made the others follow her with a rush;
expecting they hardly knew what trag-
ic spectacle. AS a matter of fact, moth
ing met their eyes but couple Of
mourning costumes, neatly folded on a
chair and the diaphanous dancing
dress lying in heap on the floor. For
the rest-nothing-n
The astonishment was so great that
it was fully a minute before anyone
grasped the situation.
''Gott in himmel! My bill! They
are swindlers!' gasped the hOtelkeep-
er, finding his wits first.
"Swindlersw calculated Mrs. Wild
lev,