The Press., 1898-08-04
THE MISSING FAN.

My fan, some one has taken my fam"
 Lady Mary Vancouver was 8 pretty, smart little widow, richly endowed and g great personal favorite. It was at the hunt ball at Weatherly that she exclaimed about the loss of her fan, having left it for few minutes on a seat while she danced with Sir Henry Willock. Lady Mary always had 6 court of adorers. They assembled round her when she stated her loss, and a wig orous search for the missing fan was al once begun, but with no successful re- suit. It was nowhere to be found. "It belonged to my great grandmoth. CT, is Louis XIV fan, and more than that, has always brought its possessol good luck. Oh, why did bring it tc this ball? Now all my luck is gone, and I shall hencefOrth be the most miserable of women.
 Vainly did "the adorers" and some of her lady friends seek to comfort her. Lady Mary was inconsolable.
 "It must be found-some one has taken it by mistake, " said Sir Henry. Suppose we offer a reward. ''
 "I don't believe the richest of re. wards will bring back my poor dear fan," she murmured sorrowfully.
 "How much would you give to get ii back?" asked one of those who stood around.
 Myself and my whole fortune, '" was the somewhat astonishing answer.
 There was a laugh and murmur ot Happy fan to be so highly valued" But Lady Mary did not apparently perceive that she had spoken extrava- gantly. She was of Scotch descent, very superstitious, and on that account fal more than on account of the intrinsic value of the fan she was inclined tc make herself downright ill and miser. ablerat it's loss.
 No more dancingl She could not dance when she was in mourning fol her beautiful fan, but as she was chap eroning two young cousins she stai6 on till the ballroom was thinning. Si1 l Henry Willock remained in devoted at tendance, but he was not the only onG who did so. He was supposed to be tho favored suitor, and there were others who were jealous of him. The loss ot the fan and the reward she had offered though, of course, he could not believe that she really meant it, annoyed him To the others it gave fresh zest, and tn, fervor to win Lady Mary's much covet ed hand was increased since she hersel had shown the means by which the rac' might be won.
 Sir Henry conducted her to her car riage. It was 8 four mile drive to tn, Moated Grange, which was 8 lonel, dwelling for lonely woman.
 "Do you know M. de Lanteuil-Mar quis de Lanteuil is he?" she asked Si Henry as they went down the staircase
 "Never saw him till tonight"
 "He is handsome," she went on "Staying at the Duke of Fotheringay's so he must be somebody. If had no been so unhappy, should have culti vated him and asked him to tn, Grange"
 "A mere foreigner" remarked Sil Henry. "One can never be sure of thos' | fellows"
 He was becoming more and nor, jealous, and Lady Mary, who did no fail to see it, was, in spite of her mourn ing, bent on teasing.
 "I'n give a breakfast" she said "more fashionable than a luncheon, an, ask all the Fotheringay party-less com promising than asking him alone. Yol can come if have room"
 "Thank you. I am going to town to morrow for few days on business.
 She laughed, for she did not believe.
 Good night, Sir Henry. Glad to SC you when your business is over. Oh, m poor fam Perhaps it will be found be fore you come back"