The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-20
Princes Pride and
Peacock Feathers.

the coming Of tho distinguished woman
10 Newport,
had a glimpse Of her Iadyship on the
d2y Of her arrival as She was coming up
the steps She was tall slender, gray
haired woman. with q distinguished
bearing. and by her side, smaller, though
with scarcely less distinction walked the
Honorable Conscience. Later ] saw the
young woman'5 face 10 was sweet
though inexpressibly sad, and J. with my
experience Of the world, said to myself.
"The Honorable Constance looks Ike
woman with past
In a few days all Newport was alive
with the arrival of the Blackburns.
Cards and carriages arrived al the ROCK
House all hours of the day, and the name
OF the Honorable Constance, the DeauliLul
heircss was on every lip
1t had been decided that Constance
would make her debut in society at the
home of Mrs Senator Gray who Is one
OF the most elegant women In Newport
society Then she and her mother. hav-
ing met an Newport could entertain 40
q grand presentation ball at the Rock
House
must say this MUCH for her ladyship.
that never IN the course Of my editorial
career have ] been treated with more
consideration. Though ! had never met
her. I received each day from her pen
q very nice programme Of the days
doings.
on her arrival had sent her my card
with the name Of the paper ! represented
engraved upon 81. and her ladyship had
informed me in o very elegantly worded
note. that was written on very elegantly
engraved note paper. that She would DE
pleased at any dmo to render me any
assistance in her power in the way OF
gathering society news.
So every morning I received from the
pen Of her secretary n full account which
greatly facilitated my work.
The Honorable Constance, like all girls
massive in this. but 1 thought she was
Of twenty who are not yet In society was
sadder that she ought 20 be considering
her elegant coming debut and when |
saw her. as often did. walking toward
tho ocean in company only with maid.
wondered that she was so depressed.
one evening seeing her and her mother
seated on the public bacolony after bid
ding farewell TO their guests. thought
l would venture, considering their kind
ness to approach them and pay my re-
spects. As ! stepped up behind them
saw that they were engaged in deep
converse ton. and found that l was IN
ear-shot without intending IT,
III we could only find IL, mamma: II
we could only find it! Landy Constance
was saying.
1T was stolen tell you. stolenl
searched the papers and offered rewards.
though you were too Frustrated with
grief 10 realize It. but Il was never found.
WHY can YOU not give Ii up for lost or
co you want TO spoil everything? You
are only twenty and-why can you give
Il uD?"
"Thev must have lost a valuable Jewel"
I said to myself. but somehow | had n
feeling that it was not a jewel they
meant.
The day OF Lady Blackburn's hall was
the busiest day Newport has ever seen.
Never will 7 forget It. All the morning
caterers and decorators were coming 10
the house to add TO the elegant prepara-
lions made by the host Of the finest
hotel in the world.
All the afternoon carriages were ar
irving, bearing immense punches Of
bouquets and baskets Of orchids. The
Honorable Constance Blackburn was tot
be launched mo society under thte aus
nices second no other debutante that
ever stepped out at Newport.
NV plan for reporting the ball was this:
During the morning I had written
complete account OF the preparations.
In the afternoon obtained the list or
the invited guests. and toward evening
7 made n note OF the bouquets and those
who had sent them. All these I tele-
craphed to my chief In New York.
AT o'clock would visit the ball room