The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-06-03
THE MISSING FAN.

l
"My fan, some one has taken my
fanr'
Lady Mary Vancouver was pretty,
smart little widow, richly endowed and
o 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
Wilcox. Lady Mary always had a
court Of adorers They assembled round
her when she stated her loss, and a Wig
orous search for the missing fan was at
once begun, but with no successful re-
suit 1t was nowhere to be found.
ut belonged to my great grandmoth-
er, is Louis XIV fan, and more than
that, has always brought its possessor
good luck. Oh, why did bring it to
this ball? Now all my luck is gone, and
/ 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.
1T must be found-some one. has
taken it by mistake, said Sir Henry.
Suppose we offer reward"
II 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 it
back?' asked one of those who stood
around.
Myself and my whole fortune" was
the somewhat astonishing answer
There was laugh and a murmur Of
"Happy fan to DO 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 far
more than on account of the intrinsic
value of the fan she was inclined to
make herself downright ill and miser-
able at its loss.
No more dancingl She could not
dance when she was in mourning for
her beautiful fan, but as she was chap
eroning two young cousins she staid
on till the ballroom was thinning. Sir
Henry Wilcox remained in devoted at
tendance, but he was not the only one
who did so. He was supposed to be the
favored sutton, and there were others
who were jealous Of him. The loss of
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 the
fervor to win Lady Mary's much covet-
ed hand was Increased since she herself
had shown the means by which the race
might be won.
Sir Henry conducted her to her car
riage. It was four mile drive to the
Moated Grange, which was lonely
dwelling for lonely woman.
''Do you know M de Lanteuil-Mar.
quis dc Lanteuil is he?" she asked Sir
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 l had not
been go unhappy, l should have cult
waited him and asked him to the
Grange"
IA mere foreigner, remarked Sir
Henry. "Ono can never be sure Of those
fellows -
He was becoming more and more
jealous and Lady Mary, who did not
fail to SEQ it, was, in spite of her mourn
ing, bent on teasing.
"I'll give a breakfast" she said,
"more fashionable than luncheon, and
ask all the Fothcringay party-less COM
promising than asking him alone. You
can come if 1 have room."
"Thank you. am going to town to-
morrow for a few days on business. -
She laughed, for she did not believe.
GOOD night, Sir Henry Glad to SEQ
you when your business is over. Oh, my
poor FAM Perhaps it will be found be-
fore you como back"
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 l hate my own sexl
They are always mean and cruelp'
1t was an unpleasant, misty day,
which might perhaps account for an i'll
crease of bitterness. A ring at tho Wis,
itors' bell, however, made Lady Mary
once more alert.
"Who can that be in such weather."
M. de Lantcuil was announced.
She looked just little bit astonished,
as she had not asked him to call
He bowed profoundly and explained.
II have been sent by the Duchess of
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 IL servant.
1t told her that an. de Lanteuil was