Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1897-01-07
MYSTERIOUS GUEST.

"a Translation by Anne l.. Wangcman.)
Lady Georgina Athol was "at home
on Thursdays; on those days her draw
ing and reception-rooms were over
crowded. Lady Georgina stood up
stairs in the reception-room and shook
hands so often that she did not know
finally whether she still had hand
of her own or no.
The guests continued ascending the
magnificent staircase fianked by rows
of powdered lackeys. The stream of
people seemed to the hostess to be in
creasing. Her tongue was nearly par
alyzed from repeating the words Of
welcome, her smile was becoming
forced. "How do you doy' "How are
you?'' 'You did not bring your son?
No? Oh! am so sorry!"
At this moment lady whispered to
her: please let me stand next to you
for moment, Lady Georgina. l
would like to know about the lady who
entered right after me. A wonderful
woman! Very charming!"
Not Mrs. Venables? Blonde? Not
that? Then it certainly was Miss
Adair! No? Well, then, must see
her before I can tell you who she is,
Mrs. Keith"
'.rhere she is-with the beautiful
hair Now she is standing with the
Brabazons."
At this moment Lady Athol accident
ally dropped her bouquet and in the
act of taking it from the hand Of her
inquisitivc friend she did not hear-:s
the orchestra was beginning Il polo
naise-the name of the young lady
blowing before her. She was strik-
NJ beauty, with wonderful eyes. Lady
Athol extended her hand and said the
conventional How do you do?'
Then the BrabaZons approached, SO
THAT the lazy had to pass on. Now
she bowed to an elderly lady, then
|again to well known gentleman ana
50 on to several persons. She was ap-
parently W. i known in society. Mrs.
Keith turned to the hostess.
"She is very pretty said she. Il
lid not quite understand the name.
Nor l." answered Lady Georglna,
and I can't place her, either. she
must be an acquaintance OF my daush-
tier. But I really was rather lmpollte;
If you should meet my girls pray send
them to me, Mrs. Keith. On, mere
comes my husband. George, George,
do 20 into the hall room and ind OUT
the name Of that striking beauty With
the auburn hair
II will" -
Ten minutes later Lady Georgina be-
ran to 20 among her guests. Not until
half an hour later did she meet one OF
aer daughters.
MAUD, who is that lady over yonder
leaning against the mantel-plece!
In white, mamma? 90 not kho"
aer, either
Il thought you could inform me;
Look for Joanna and send her to me-
1t was about twenty minutes pe1ore
tile younger daughter came 10 ncf
mother.
Il know whom you mean, mamma
but cannot place her. she mas Deau-
tiful auburn hair and wears "ni'e
gown Of Partisan make"
Mrs Keith again doomed up. LORD
George does not know her" said sue. .,
thouoht Joanna. "She has just been
tol1,inp with Lord Charles Vincent; J.
will ask him. .:,,
Young Vincent, laughing heartily, was
,ooninr against a pillar. Two OF his
friends we're evidently making MIN
tho target of their jokes Joanna over
heard several words.
"It was great sport to Watch your
surprised face, Charlie, when she spoke
nf having met you before at Nee.
..yes and our dear old Charlie mas
novo,. stenDed out OF England
Inst then Sir Vincent noticed MISS
Athol. MAY l take you to supper!
he asked her. ~
IT do not know as yet. Perhaps
who is the lady to whom you We're
snoa1xinc a few minutes ago ne
laughed. .4,,>, +hoso
two hoys have been teasing me ABOUT
~ too You mean that beautiful young
woman with the pretty hair, 90 you
not?'
"Yes!'
~ stood behind her when she turned
,ro,,d and extending her hand, s;lu:
Sir Vincent. is it not?' And rs l nod
dod assent; she remarked that 1t was SO
lono since she had seen me last. l
conid not. very we'll, answer that she
,,,os mistaken, so said, Yes, it is long
400, and then we chatted little
"At what place did the unknown
woman saw she had met you?" asked
"Vell. Miss Athol, that was what we
talked about finally. She remarked
that it must be two years ago since
we met at Nice, and my vanity prompt
cd me to assent to so many of her re-
marks that did not have the courage
to right her mistake. At any rate she
mistook me for somebody else"
Miss Atllol returned to her mother.
On her way she noticed the beautiful
J unknown conversing with old Mr.. Bra
"She dropped her fan Intentionally y
old gentleman picked it up and natur'
ally they engaged in conversation
Well, dear Joanna, what did Sir Vim
cent tell you?'
lust about nothing; she mistooll him
for some one else" Just then the
stranger greeted Lady Beckenham. u
will ask Lady Beckenham.
II do not know her, although she
bowed to me-" said that aristocratie
lady: and after pause: Lady Athol
in your place would ask her myself u
Yes see no other way out OF 1t, y