The Press., 1898-08-04

Two or three days passed. Lady Mary did not ask the Fotheringay party to breakfast. Perhaps, like the rash reward offered for the fan, it was merely flip pant talk.
 That she was really unhappy about its loss was nevertheless very certain, and since the fan was not returned it seemed evident that the thief did not pine for the possession of Lady Mary and her worldly effects
 "Some woman, of course" she said bitterly. "How I hate my own sexl They are always mean and cruelr'
 It was an unpleasant, misty day. which might perhaps account for an in- crease of bitterness. A ring at the wis itors' bell, however, made Lady Mary once more alert.
 "Who can that be in such weather?''
 M. de Lanteuil was announced.
 She looked just a little bit astonished, as she had not asked him to call.
 He bowed profoundly and explained.
 ''I have been sent by the Duchess of Fotheringay on a mission to ask you if you will waive ceremony and come over to dine this evening. I bring a note rom the QucneSS. "
 Lady Mary took the note and won- dered why this man was sent with it instead of a servant.
 It told her that "M. de Lanteuil WAS . favorite at Fotheringay and asked ii she would be kind to him as foreigner and show him the beauties of the Grange, also to be sure to come that evening. as @ surprise awaited her.. "
 "What is the surprise?" she asked. looking up at him.
 eff Mime. la Duchesse has not reveal ed the secret, how shall Ir' was the guarded answer.
 "The duchess loves mystery" she said, laughing, land you, monsieur, if you would see the beauties of the Grange, you must come in the summer"
 "With pleasure, madame.
 "An I can show you now is the or enid house."
 She led the way along covered patl that led to hothOuse. The rearing oi orchids was her pet amusement. M. de Lanteuil was entranced. Nev. CT before had he seen such lovely speci mems. He himself was 8 connoisseur. But what seemed to entrance him more even than the exquisite blooms was the lady herself. It was in order to pass an hour with her that he had persuaded the duchess to let him go with mes sage to 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 he1 many steps to take in order to culH vate him. Besides had she not told Sir Henry that he was handsome2 Poo Sir Henry! He had no slight cause fol jealousy, and so he would have thought could he have watched the tete-a-t tete. At last M. de Lanteuil felt that ht must finger no longer, and having ob tained a promise that Lady Mary would drive over to Fotheringay castle to din ner he departed, leaving the lady in { state bordering on futter, which wal by no means her chronic condition. She was beautifully dressed, wort lovely jewels and looked charming when she entered the drawing room a the castle.
 Dinner was soon after announced, bu not a word was said about surprise though Lady Mary was on the tiptoe O expectation, longing to know what i could possibly be. So excited was sh, l about the surprise that she almost for | got how much she was in love with thu marquis, while, as for the lost fan, sh' had for the time being ceased to remem Der that she ever possessed one. It was not till the gentlemen has joined the ladies after dinner that ther' was any question of the momentous sur prise. Then it was that the groom O the chambers came up to Lady Mar, with all the pompous dignity his offic imposed and presented her with packet.
 | With impatience and in some trep idation, since every eye was upon her she tore asunder the paper that enyelop ed it.
 My fanny dear, darling lost fan r she cried. "Who is the lucky beinl who found itp This is indeed a sur prise"
 :.'M. de Lanteuil," said the duchess "He found it under a chair at the hun ball"
 Lady Mary looked at him withou speaking She did not thank him, for sh was wondering why he had kept from her for so long. She forgot tha by the reward she had offered she ha made the immediate delivery difficult A few minutes later he was conduct ing her to her carriage, the duke re maining discreetly in the background Then only did she find words to than him.
 "And the reward, Lady Mary-th large reward you offered?"
 My promise shall be redeemed, {" sh whispered.
 For a moment their hands met in on fervent grasp, and she was gone.
 Poor Sir Henry Willocki No on thought about him during the weddin festivities brought about by the deal quaint old fan which played no insie nificant part in the toilet of the bride l London Sun.