The Penn's Grove record., 1896-02-28

-sut she Canoes r'cc'v. Mrs. wiid
bves. II that is Of any Use to YOU"
Mrs. Wildover gave a little gasp ana
then suddenly recollected that skirt
aancing was one OF the recognized ac-
eomplishments.
"That will be charming" she ex.
claimed. "And you don't think you VIII
be nervous?"
Nell shook her head decidedly.
"Then that's all right. And wont
you help us at all. Mrs. SEYMOUR
ooh, I'll sell programs, take tickets.
anything you like" replied the lady,
laughing: make myself generally use
full, in fact
.werl anyway, that's something to
dol" exclaimed the girl when their Wis
tor had departed.
"Exactlyr
But whether the game Is worth the
candle; whether it's worth while vege-
tating here for a fortnight for the
pleasure Of showing ones ankles at o
fancy fair, I'm sure I don't know
"Neither do ] as yet. my dear. wait
ill the time comes. Wen soon see.
But you are certainly right in n
thing, Nell; black does not show you
on"
The girl gave something between
. grunt and a laugh and glanced at
herself In the long mirror, the invaria-
Bile adjunct to an apartment In a for
sign 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 n would
have called her pretty; yet to an OBJ
server there were great possibilities
about her. She recognized the fact bet
ter than most people. and therefore
there was 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
ways which usually stood her In very
good stead. indeed.
II wish you would not sit smiling
.nere like that!. calculated Nell, i'm
patiently. az can't see what you want
ed to come to Spa for"
II am consumed with a desire to
make Mrs. wlldoyer's acquaintance"
quietly replied her companion.
Then why on earth"
"Hushw said Mrs. Seymour. "Let
us 60 down to the salon and talk about
the fancy fair"
| For a week little else was spoken of
among the English colony at Spa. In
. all likelihood Mrs. Wildover had w
been 80 happy in her life. She spent
lher whole time In bustling and fussing
among her helpers, and the name Of
Lady Lothair was scarcely ever on her
lips. Her constant companion and
right hand was little Mrs. Seymour.
Il really don't know what / could
loo without you," she said on the even-
ling preceding the eventful day. "You
seem TO think Of everything, dear Mrs.
ISeymour@
"0h, l am so pleased to be of use to
you In anyway exclaimed her conn
panion. eagerly. "and so is Nellie
HAS her dress arriyed7" asked Mrs.
wncover.
ayes l fancy she Is trying 1t on now
| Would you care to see It'll"
I With good-humored condescension
Airs. Wildoyer agreed. but she started
back with a cry OF genuine amazement
when Mrs. Seymour threw open her
sitting room and she realized that 1t
was indeed that Insignificant girl in
black" who stood before her.
She saw a vision OF diaphanous dra-
Iperies. a maze of fiimsy silk and lace.
land a face pale as a lilly. but radiant
under a glory of bright hair.
-why-why. my dear girl, I e
realized how lovely you were beforew
exclaimed the good lady as she sank
into a seat
Nell made some demure reply. and ex-
few graceful steps.
~Your gown is perfect, my dear, per.
fleet"
.Oh, no. II isn'tir said Nell, with q
laugh. 1T wants your diamonds. Mrs.
iwfIdoyer. to be that" she added. With
a glance at the beautiful stones lavish
Ily displayed on the lady's ample bosom.
-Let rs Try the effect" said Mrs. Wild
Io.er. graciously.
In a second the girls white throat
and arms were cleaning and flashing.
II will lend them to you, II you like,
and you must have some for your hair,
too; I'll send them to you tomorrow"
Miss Seymour's thanks can easily be
Imagined, and Mrs. wildover felt more
like q beneicent fairy than ever. The
whole town would be raying about the
little English dancer tomorrow. and 1t
would be to Mrs. wldover that all the
credit would come.
When she left mother and daughter
together, both sat for a moment silent
do you suppose she will really lend
themT asked Nell, doubtfullv.
"why notT'
-Ihen. my dear child. I suppose you
viii be q little reconciled to our vege-
lationr"
The girl laughed, and the mother be-
gan to turn over a Bradshaw" In o
,usinesslike fashion.
The fancy hair was not to be opened
until the evening. A great number Of
iekets had been sold. and there was
lutte an imposing list Of figures In the
iccount-book Mrs. Seymour carried, for
she had arranged to relieve Mrs. Wild
over of all the mere business part of
he affair, and was really secretary and
treasurer rolled into one.
"Do you know that Harry Is here?"
exclaimed Nell. in a 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 arc
ielicate. I could not allow you to dance
innfpsa there were an aficiant madfrat