The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1898-06-03
NJ. de Lanteuil was announced.

cHe lOOheu just a little Dit aStOn1Shed,
as she had not asked him 10 call.
He bowed profoundly and explained.
Il have been sent by the Duchess Of
Fotheringay on a mission 20 ask YOU if
you will waive ceremony and come over
10 dine this evening. l bring a note
from the duchess. -
Lady Mary took the note and won
dtre>l why thi: man was sent with it
instead of Il servant.
II told Ia, that NJ de Lanteuil was
a favCrite al Fo5heringay and asked if
she would De kind 10 him rs a foreigner
and show him the beauties OF the
Grange. also 10 be sure to come that
evening. a. surprise awaited her.
"What l. Tie sGrpriSe:" she asked,
locking up at him.
''E Mime. In DucheSSe has not reveal
ed the secret, how shall I:'' was the
guarded answer.
The duchess loves mystery" she
said, laughing, and you, monsieur, if
you would t. tie beauties Of the Grange,
you must come IN the summer"
e'With pleasure, madame. "
"All l can show You now is the or
child house.
She led tie way along a covered path
that led to "a hOthouse. The rearing of
orchids was her pet amusement.
NJ &c L@nteEil was entranced New
er before had he seen such lovely speci-
mems. He himself was a cOnnoiSseur.
But what seemed to entrance him more
o,-,,, ,I.,, Il l,1,,,,,- ,,-,z ~,
lady herself. 1t was IN order 20 pass an
hour with her that he had persuaded
the duchess to let him go with mes
sage 10 the Grange And what did Lady
Mary think Of him? He cultivated or
chids on his French estate, and from
this discovery there were not for her
many steps 10 take IN order TO cult
vate him. Besides had she not told
Sir Henry that he was handsome? Poor
Sir Henry. He had no slight cause for
jealousy. and so he would have thought
could he have watched the tete-a-tete.
At last NJ de Lanteuil felt that he
must linger no longer, and having OBJ
tanned promise that Lady Mary would
drive over TO FOthcringay castle to din
ner he departed, leaving the lady in
state bordering on flutter, which was
by no means her chronic condition.
She was beautifully dressed, wore
| lovely Jewels and looked charming
when she entered the drawing room nj
| the castle.
Dinner was soon after announced, but
not a word was said about surprise,
though Lady Mury was on the tiptoe Of
| expectation, longing to know what it
could possibly be. So excited was she
about the surprise that she almost for
got how much she was in love with the
marquis, while, as for the lost fan, she
had for the time being ceased to remem-
| Der tLat she ever possessed one.
1t was not till the gentlemen had
| Joined the ladies after dinner that there
was any question of the momentOus sur
prise. Then it was that the groom of
the chambers came up 10 Lady Mary
with all the pompous dignity his Office
imposed and presented her with a
packet
With imratience and in some trep-
idation. since every eye was upon her,
she tore asunder the paper that envelop-
! ed it.
MY fan-my dear, darling lost fan -
she cried who is the lucky being
who found it? This is indeed 4 sur
prise.
IN. de Lanteuil," " said the duchess
'He found it under chair at the hunt
! ball "
Lady Mary looked at him without
| speaking. She did not thank him, for she
was wondering why he had kept it
from her for SO loEg. She forgot that
by the reward she had offered she had
made the immediate delivery difficult
y ftsy minutes later he was conduct
ing her 10 her carriage, the duke re-
manning Giscreetly i'll the background.
Then only did she find words TO thank
| him.
And the reward, Lady Mary-the
large reward you otfered?'
My promise shall be redeemed" she
whispered.
For a moment their hands met in one
| fervent grasp, and she was gone.
Poor Sir Henry Wilcox No one
thought about him during the wedding
festivities brought about by the dear,
| quaint old fan which played no insig-
nific;ant part in the toilet of the bride,
| London sun.