New-York tribune., 1897-01-31
THE END OF THE STORY.

In state bordering on frenzy Mrs. Mad
denham re-entered the supper-room ana peSan
the difficult. complicated and diplomatic task
Of getting the royal party to ADJOURN. IL
was very troublesome. for they were all ex-
ceedingly comfortable and perfectly SATISFIED
with their surroundings But gradualy-
whether through the indiscretion Of funkey or
the nervous excitement of Mrs Maddennanl
herself-it got whispered about that there had
been rumpus: that some gentlemen had heen
actually turned out. and that old Miss Bel.
mont" giving the clrge to number OF
her guests: in fact. that she was bent, for Some
reason or other. an having the house cleared
ROYALTY" caught the rumo- over It's last glass
of champagne. smiled increduously. shrugged
it's distinguished shoulders and finally guf-
fawed with laughter at the idea OF MISS be..
mont wanting to turn everybody out because
she had not been at once invited 70 sit down at
her own supper-table. IT was such an extraordi-
nary thing-such mistaken idea
What a ridiculous old woman she must be-!
murrnurod DISTINGUISHED lord. lazily drinking
an extra draught of the ridiculous old wom-
an's' best wine she can't KNOW anything
about manners.
Of some fifty years OF age. There were days,
YOU Enow. when hospitality was a stately.
courteous kind Of virtue and when the hostess
was everything 10 the guests who accepted
her welcome Private houses did not turn them
selves into restaurants then, and there were
not any scrmmages for food dare say OLD
Miss Belmont dates from that period.
ROYALTY however. needed not the words or
the cynic. for it was getting, under way lor
departure and the snobs and snobesses who
are accustomed 10 wait on it as pertinaciously
as mosquitoes wait on fresh blood were also
getting ready to follow their leaders. Gigge
and Jest loud guffaw and subdued hypocritical
litter echoed yet for a while through the great
hall Of James stately residence mingled with
the clatter Of carriages driving up and driving
awav and the shouting of footmen and police
men and then the hall door finally closed. and
all was silent. The Hon. Mrs. Madden
ham had departed in rage with the rest OF the
guests. vowng to herself and one other con-
fdant "a nam that she would never forgive
Jane" And Jane herself came down to the
deserted supper-room and mildly partook OF
some Of the "broken meats" left from the
luxurious menu which. printed on satin'
adorned the various little empty tables. More
over she allowed herself the further liberty OF
drinking n glass Of the very excellent cham
pagre her money had paid for. This done. she
bada the deeply attentive and respectful hunkey
in waiting to close up all the rooms for the
night. Peacefully Jane went to bed and slept
the sleep of the just and excitedly the funkey
gossipped with his fellow-hunkeys in the ser
wants hall and stated that he thought Miss
Belmont knew thing or two: that she was
on her high horse this time, and no mistake,
and that 'he shouldn't wonder il that blessed
old Maddenham woman got the sack.
In the latter part Of this surmise he proved
correct. for. when the Hon. Mrs. Madden
ham struggled down to her breakfast the next
morning about midday after passing hor-
ribla night in which she dreamed that the old
barbaric and ignorant periods had come back.
and that she and Jane were being soemniy
executed on Tower Hill for some anront u
ROYALTY" she received a polite little note from
Jane running thus:
NV Dear Mrs Maddenham: Allow me to thank
for the ne m ycu nase d to a that e
propose selling my London residence and returning
possible I am no longer in need Of your kind super
intendence OF my conduct and department; You
sincerely grateful and which should never have
known without you. and hope the inclosed may
NAV have had with me- / was not aware till last
night that "swagger' society was so essentially
and vsar a we're oui nn ai you hve S
native bu, to regret that ever was made aware
beart STcr rompassonate the royalties who are
fortunately obliged to be surrounded by such III.
santments I trust you will see the advisability of
our ceasing to be acquainted with each other for or
the future. And wishing you every happiness IN
Obliged. JANE BELMONT.
A check for II 900 dropped out of this letter.
and as Mrs. Maddenham. stricken to the soul.
realized in burst James extraordinary
muniicerce James remarkable usefulness
lanes apparent adaptability and James de
ccving'' armness OF character. despite the silly
smile" she gave way to actual tears OF rage ana
spite as she thought that never, never more
would the great house In Grosvenor Piace be
open to her-ncyer. never more would she be
able to invite her friends TO luncheon or to ain,
ner at James expense-never, never more would
she have the Joy Of advertising herself through
Jane and using Jane az sort or complacent ana
uncompanng sandwich man" Ii was all
over. And for such trnng cause too Just
the mere oversight or not having introduced jane
at first to the royal personages who came to eat
James food. 1t was neutrality-suspicious. be-
yond measure. Nevertheless. the fiat had gone
forth-Jane had suddenly developed mulish
obstinacy Of disposition. and Mrs. Maddenhams
doom was sealed She would have TO find an
other Jane to live upon; so far as this present
Jane was concerned. her career was ended!
Meanwhile. rumor's many tongues got hold or
the story Of what 1t pleased To call James
"scandalous conduct" 1t was repeated from
mouth to mouth. with all sorts Of exaggerations
and additions. TIL Jane became that vulgar old
Miss Belmont" In one quarter. ard that mad
old Miss Belmont" In another. The brilliancy OF
her parties was forgotten. the kindness and