The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-08-02


illogical work, and all the cathedral shop
you can imagine. Is il surprising that l
wanted to escape and see the world?
Lottie laughed. you are very bitter,
she said. Are you sure you have no
other reason besides being bored?"
Elsie turned a sharp glance upon her
companion. What do you mean? Do
you not think that is a sufficient one?"
still
still what?"
There are other reasons, you know,
why girls go on the stage" and she laugh
Elsie turned away from her contemptu-
ously and began to open some notes that
We're lying on the table and fling them
one by one into the waste-paper basket.
The same old thing, Elsie, l suppose"
Lottie said in tone of envy. 81 wonder
people don't get tired of sending them.
And as for the flowers, 1 call it a sinful
waste not to wear them. l wish 1 could
get quarter of the number"
Yes, the same old thing, Lottie," she
SAID, almost YEARLY; and then, as she
took up a note and opened it, a CLEAN
OF triumph came into her eyes, and her
whole face was lit up with a smile. She
threw the rest of the notes unopened into
a basket and read this one again and
again. 1t was as follows:
My Dear Miss Milton: Well, OF all the
l came up to town last night, and,
hearing of the attraction of London, came
TO the Jollity. Like every one else, have
d
wear the flowers that are sent you, bur
perhaps you will make an exception in
favor Of an old friend. May l see you
after the performance and tell you the
Mudcastle news? / will take your wear
ing the flowers as Yes Yours sincerely,
That night Elsie Milton wore flowers for
the first time on the stage, and the whole
mouse burned with desire to know who
to her.
Three months after all Mudcastle was
intoxicated with the excitement of an
enormous bazaar. For weeks the cathe-
dral ladies had been working at impossi-
bic articles of apparel and decoration.
Gum, cardboard and silk were scarcely
procurable, so large had been the demand
on these Indispensable commodities.
Flags had been gathered from the four
quarters of the globe to represent every
nation and proclaim the worldwide inn
portance of the undertaking. The mind
OF the ecclesiastical female ran riot in
the wickedness of fancy dress designs.
For this was to be no ordinary sale of
work, but gigantic fraud for the cathe-
olal restoration fund, and every woman
had to be sufficiently bewitching to snare
the gold Of unWary and susceptible man.
The Duchess of Marlborough had been
asked to open it. She said she greatly
regretted her inability to attend, but that
they had given up their house for a time
TO their son, the young Marquis of Beau
caster, who had just been married. and
wished to spend part of his honeymoon
there. She was however, sure that the
young marchioness, though she only ar
rived the day before the bazaar, would be
charmed to take her place.
The cathedral authorities were delight
ed. A marchionesS is not so good as a
duchess, 1t is true, but still it is the next
best thing, and so all Mudcastle was on
tete to make the most of its opportunities
At last the supreme moment has come
The town hall is filled with black coats
and responsibility. The bishops wife
~ 10
The canons are whispering in clerical un-
dertOnes. The canon's daughters are
looking at themselves in mirrors, putting
the final touches to the stalls and chat
ter.ng Ike magpies
do you remember the last bazar?' saws
one of them. Poor Elsie Milton was at
our stall. They always called her poor
now, as if she were dead.
There was a stir at the door and a
muImur ran through the ROOM The peo-
pie fell back respectfully, and the bishops
wife sailed down the channel made for
her to welcome the honored arrivals. She
knew Lord Beaucaster, and made for him
He felt inclined to escape, but they had
shut the door behind him. so he was
Obliged to stand his ground.
Delighted to see you again, Mrs. CharI-
ton" he said, with a slight bow. MAY I
introduce you to my wife,"
The eyes of all the room were turned to
see the new bride and future Duchess of
Marlborough For moment they stared
before them. Then a cry of amazement
broke from their lips. For there, with face
more beautiful than ever, and figure
clothed with one of Worth's most mag
nificent creations, stood the desplsed out
cast, Elsie Miltoni
The bishops wife was dumfounded. Her
remarks on the conduct of the dean $
daughter had OutVied every ones I'm hit
terness, and now she looked as though
Lady Beaucaster had been listening To
her all the time. She got very red and
mumbled something. Elsie smiled at her
confusion for two or three seconds-no
woman can entirely forbear her revenge
and then said: Il am sure YOU needn't
introduce US. Charlie We are old
friends" And, moving forward, she kiss
ed Mrs. Charlton's ponderous cheek with
a grace and sweetness which had brought
the world TO her feet.
This was the signal for universal rush.
All her old friends crowded around her
with inquiries and congratulations. If
they hoped to be kissed by a marchfoness
they were disappointed Elsie intended
that one kiss to the head of the female
ecclesiastical world to embrace all cathed-
raj society. 1t was meant for the recon-
ciliation of the church and the stage.
That afternoon the dean was sitting
alone in his study, when the door opened
and a well-known voice cried May
come in, father?"
He dropped the pen with which he had
been writing and rose to his feet. Before
he could speak Elsie had flung herself
cred him with kisses.
Il have come to be forgiven, father
have left the stage"
my dear child" he said. kissing her
tenderly, my dear child, have suffered
much pain, but the pleasure Of your re-
turn blots out all the past l forgave
you long ago."
You dear, old father; / am sure you
only thought me mad, and not wicked, like
other people did. But what do you think
brings me here to-day?'
ITO see me, Elsie! Haven't you return
ed home for good2"
mo father. l shall not be far off you.
though IL am married. | came here
to-day to open the bazaar"
ITO open the bazaar. Elsie! Are you
nv little madcap Elsie, the new Lady
Beaucaster?'
"Her ladyship stands before you. And
that's why-that's the explanation of it
all. father"
tinued.
dear. good boy but too fond Of actresses.
IL think he always liked me bit, but