Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1896-04-23

merely be there in case OF an emer-
gency."
At that moment Mrs, Wildovers
maid appeared a. the door, with her
mistresses compliments and several
morocco cases, and message that
that lady would like to see Miss Sey.
mour when she was quite ready.
you are positively charming, my
dear" 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"
Ii soon became apparent that the at
traction of the fair was In the little
ye!iow-curtaned booth, where a stage
had been erected, and where several
people were content to crowd together
and endure the efforts of several
singers in order to enjoy the sight OF
Miss Seymour's dancing. Nothing was
spoken OF but her grace, her charp
and the magnificent diamonds which
Mrs. Wildoyer had lent her.
Mrs. Seymour had, however, been 50
busy looking after other people, taking
charge OF their stalls during their tenn
porary absences, that ii was late be-
fore 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 weav
ing fantastic figures around her, when
suddenly her steps grew uncertain her
arms dropped Imply to her side and
she fell like a log upon the stage.
A cry ran through the little booth
Mrs. Seymour pushed quickly forward
she has tainted" she cried in
alarm. "A 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 car
rying her to some quiet spot. Every
one was lost in pity for the poor
widow, who was beside herself with
grief and alarm.
In very short time, however, a
melancholy little procession left the
bazaar by side entrance. Two men
carried the still unconscious girl on a
species of improvised hammock, and
Mrs, Seymour, and the doctor walked
sadly by her side. They all entered
the hotel; ,he servants placed her on
the bed, ami then the doctor declared
that they could do nothing more for
their patient There were, in fact, few
hands to be spared, and the busy hotel
keeper was delighted when Mrs. Sey
mour declined all offers Of help, and !
dc AIRED that she would nurse her
daughter herself
1t 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 the morning to inquire after
her; everything depends on keeping
her quiet, See that no one disturbs
her If you can"
At midday, however, Mrs. Wildover
would take no fu1thcr denial, and In
sisted on going to inquire Iof her
friends. Several times she knocked ,
Intellectually; AT last, growing alarmed,
she tried the door. 1t was locked /
4, laln, A ln1r had 4
to be forced open, and, white as death
Mrs. WiIdoVer rushed in before anyone .
else 1t was, indeed, her cry which .
made the others follow her with a ,
rush, expecting they hardly knew what .
tragic spectacle. AS matter of fact,
nothing met their eyes but u couple OF
costumes. neatly folded on a
chair and the diaphanous dancing !
dress lying In a heap on the floor. For
the rcst-nothing- nobody.
The establishment was so great that .
II was fully minute before anyone .
graspcd the situation.
Colt in himmel! My bin my bill,
They are swindlcrs" gaspcd the hotel .
keeper. finding his wits first.
"Swndlcrs" calculated Mrs. Wild
over. "Ah my diamonds"
Everyone ga2ed at her speeches.; In
n moment the whole thing was as
clenr rs MONDAY, and, in the confusion
of the fair, their mourning garb dotted
they had escaped. and won a good
twelve hours start
Mrs. Wildovcr startled everyone by
a peal of hearty laughter.
shes mad, screamed one In hor-
ror "Thc loss of her diamonds has
turned her head" I
The diamonds" she gasped. after
second That's lust 1t. I left them
Mt my bankers in London, Those the
girl had were paste"
No one ever quite knew what the
exact figure Of the receipts Of the fancy
fair amounted to- Mrs. Seymour NIGH
have told, but she emitted TO leave her
account book md cash box behind.
And one thing Is tolcrahlv certain
L.,