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

~Couldn't we get up q Subscription
VI something for the widowT
"'Of course we must do something; In
ones own hotel 1t is too dreadfulr' and
Mr.. Wildoyer shuddered and her com
panions did the same; in fact, tho whole
Hotel de Flandres had had its withers
wrung and it's nerves shaken In n sin
gularly CHASTITY fashion. One OF the
walters, while handing around a dish
at the deJeuner, had suddenly turned
white, reeled, and then. In sight OF all
the guests, fallen down in a heap upon
the polished floor.
yes, we must undoubtedly do some
thing" continued Mrs Wildover; but
It's a pity 1t can't be something moie
general than a subscription among our
selves. Couldn't we organize some
kind Of a benefit--of entertainment
"A fancy fairw exclaimed two or
three ladies' In a breath.
1T would be a splendid Ideal But
who is to organize it?"
"oh, you-you, Mrs. wildoveri Oh
DOR
Mrs. wIldoyer smiled modestly.
.oh, but I'm afraid l shouldn't be
able -
~Yes. yes, you would"
But you'll all help, wont your
asked the lady, looking around. Il
think wen keep 1t strictly among our
selves: only the English ladies Of the
hotel must be allowed to take an active
part in the bazaar"
Her audience gave q rapid assent.
and Mrs. wildoFer Immediately piung-
ed into plans and projects Ara- Wild
over was fat, 40. and, thanks to True
fit, also fair: but had there not existed
q meek. timid-eyed little creature
known as Mrs. wiidover's husband, 1t
Is certain that she could have had as
many suitors as she wished. for Mrs
Wfldoyer was ridiculously. fabuiously
rich. The fact had come upon her As
rather a surprise some half dozen
years earlier, when she had tainted
on her dra wing-room sofa in the little
house at Peckham after reading a law
yer's letter which Informed her that an
almost forgotten uncle In AmericA had
died, leaving her rot only his whole
fortune. but his share in some perro-
leIm springs down country
From that moment il had been Mrs
wildoyer's not unnatural desire to soar
above the musical evenings and card
parties Of Peckham and New Cross
She went every where. was indefatiga-
BILE in all charitable undertakings, her
~ehrewdness telling her that they often
proved the thin edge OF the society
wedge. Now, az the Hotel de Flan-
dres. there was staying at this p~articu-
lar a singuiarly beautiful dow
ager-countess. a lady most popular in
London society, and one whose broad
wings could, and they would, help poor
Mrs. Wldoyer In her flight
.Do you suppose Lady Lothair would
help uss' she asked. tentatively. No
body seemed quite SURF. but everyone
thought that Mrs. Wildoyer would ask
her.
Lady Lothair vas cordial and sympa.
thetie. promised to attend the fair, and
even volunteered to allow some OF her
photographs to be sold there. In fact,
plump Mrs. Wildover. who was usually
very sure OF the ground she trod on,
scarcely felt her feet as she left Lady
Lothair's room 1t was the beginning
Of her success, she thought, and think
ing so. she collided heavily with some
one coming in the opposite direction.
II beg your pardon"
Indeed. 1t was my fault"
And both passed on In their several
directions.
The person who had gone to the wall
In the collision was a slight girl dressed
In deep mourning. She turned into a
door to her left, and, closing 1t behind
her. tossed her hat petulantly on to the
table.
rs that you. Nellf' called a voice
from the balcony.
Eyes; come In, / want to talk to you
The other woman entered. She also
vas dressed in deep mourning.
whats the matterf" she asked,
glancing at her companion.
Nothing more than usual. Why will
you Insist on staying here, and like
this?-it's awful"
"You are always SO Impatient Nell.
] tell you that
A sharp knock at the door interrupt
ed her. "Entrezw called tbs girl curt
". and then. to.both women's astonish.
nent. the big form Of Mrs. wiIdover
pomed upon them.
"Can you spare me i've minutes, Mrs.
SEYMOUR" asked she beamingly.
"Oh. certainly Do sit down." said
Mrs. Seymour, while Nell drew for
ward a chair.
1--WE come to ask you II you would
are to help u.s. continued Mrs. Wild
wer, as she proceeded to unfold the
lcheme of the fair.
Mrs. Seymour and her daughter had
peen at the Hotel de Flandres for over
/ week. but somehow they seemed to
nave assimilated with none of the sets.
Perhaps their deep mourning isolated
them. as 1t prevented their Joining the
,ercle DIES strangers, but Mrs. Wild
bver felt that It would be sweet aud
understanding of her to take them I'M
Ter her protection and to patronizs
them.
"And now, what win you both dol"
concluded the good lady. beaming on
mem good-naturedly- .Wil you take
4 stall, Miss Seymour, or VIII you sing
b the concert. or play. or whatT"
Miss Seymour hesitated and glanced
ut her mother. I'm afraid my sing
ng and playing don't amount to much"
the began, "blt--