The Press., 1898-08-04

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Fotheringay on mission to ask you if
you will waive ceremony and come over
to dine this evening. / bring note
from the duchess. +"
Lady Mary took the note and won
dered why this man was sent with it
instead of servant.
It told her that "M. de Lanteuil was
o favOrite at FOtherlngay and asked ia
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.
''H Nine. la Duchesse has not reveal
ed the secret, how shall I?'' 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"
"All can show you now is the or
child house.
She led the way alonga covered patti
that led to dollhouse. The rearing Of
orchids was her pet amusement.
M. de Lanteuil was entranced. New
or before had he seen such lovely speci-
mems. He himself was a connoisseur.
But what seemed to entrance him more
even than the exquisite blooms was the
lady herself. 1t was in order to pass an
hour with her that he had persuaded
the duchess to let him go with a 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 her
many steps to take in order to Guilt
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 M. de Lanteuil felt that he
must linger no longer, and having OBJ
tanned a promise that Lady Mary would
drive over to Fotheringay castle to din
ner he departed, leaving the lady in a
state bordering on futter, which was
by no means her chronic condition.
She was beautifully dressed, wore
lovely jewels and looked charming
when she entered the drawing room at
the castle.
Dinner was soon after announced, but
not word was said about SURPRISE
though Lady Mary 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 that 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 to Lady Mary
with all the pompous dignity his Office
imposed and presented her with a
packet.
With impatience and in some trep-
idation, since every eye was upon her,
she tore asunder the paper that envelop-
ed it.
my fanny dear, darling lost fanP'
she cried. ''Who is the lucky being
who found it? This is indeed sur
prise.
I'm. 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 ii
from her for SO long. She forgot that
by the reward she had offered she had
made the immediate delivery difficult.
A few minutes later he was conduct
ing her to her carriage, the duke re-
naming discreetly in the background.
Then only did she find words to thank
him.
"And the reward, Lady Mary-the
large reward you offered?'
MY promise shall be redeemed, {" she
whispered.
For 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.
nificant part in the toilet Of the bride.
London Sun.