The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1898-06-21
THE MISSING FAN.

THE MISSING FAN.
"My fan, some one has taken my
fan p
Lady Mary Vancouver was a pretty,
smart little widow, richly endowed and
a great personal favorite.
1t was at the hunt ball at Weatherly
that she exclaimed about the loss of her
fan, having left it for few minutes on
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 Wig
orous search for the missing fan was at
once begun, but with no successful re-
suit 1t was nowhere to be found.
at belonged to my great grandmoth-
er, is Louis XIV fan, and more than
that, has always brought its possessor
good luck. Oh, why did 1 bring it to
this ball? Now all my luck is gone, and
l shall henceforth be the most miserable
of women.
Vainly did 1.-THE adorers' and some
of her lady friends seek to comfort her.
Lady Mary was inconsolable.
''It must be Troublesome 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, F" was
the somewhat astonishing answer
There was laugh and a murmur of
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 far
more than on account of the intrinsic
value of the fan she was inclined 20
make herself downright i'll and miser-
able at its loss.
No more dancingl She could not
dance when she was in mourning for
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. 1t was a four mile drive to the
Moated Grange, which was a lonely
dwelling for lonely woman.
"Do you know NJ de Lanteuil-Mar-
quis de Lanteuil is hep 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' IS,
so he must be somebody. If 1 had not
been SO unhappy, l should have Guilt
waited him and asked him to the
Grange"
ga mere foreigner, remarked Sir
Henry. lone can never be sure Of those
fellows"
He was becoming more and more
jealous, and Lady Mary, who did not
fail to see it, was, in spite of her mourn
ing, bent on teasing.
"I'll give a breakfast, f" she said,
"more fashionable than luncheon, and
ask all the Fotheringay PARTICLES COM
promising than asking him alone. You
can come if have room"
THANK you l am going to town to-
morrow for few days on business. y
She laughed, for she did not believe.
Good night, Sir Henry. Glad to see
you when your business is over. Oh, my
poor FAM Perhaps it will be found be-
fore you come 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. Chow 1 hate my own sex
They are always mean and cruel ~
1t 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.
NJ de Lanteuil was announced
She looked just little bit astonished,
as she had not asked him to call.
He bowed profoundly and explained.
81 have been sent by the Duchess of
Fotheringay on mission to ask you II
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 a servant.
1t told her that M. de Lanteuil was
T. ravorite at Forneringay and asked L
khe would be kind to him as foreigner
and show him the beauties Of the
| Grange, also to be sure to come that
evening, as a surprise awaited her. "
'tWhat is the surprise?' she asked,
looking up at him.
eff Nine. la Duchesse has not reveal
ed the secret, how shall I?'' was the
guarded answer.
1.-The duchess loves mystery" she
said, laughing, land you, monsieur, i
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 along a covered patti
that led to dollhouse. The rearing o
| orchids was her pet amusement.
M. de Lanteuil was entranced. New
er before had he seen such lovely speci
mems. He himself was connoisseur
But what seemed to entrance him NOR
even than the exquisite blooms was tn
lady herself 1t was in order to pass al
hour with her that he had persuade'
the duchess to let him go with mes
sage to the Grange. And what did Lad,
Mary think of him? He cultivated or
chids on his French estate, and from
this discovery there were not for he
many steps to take in order to cult
vate him. Besides had she not toll
Sir Henry that he was handsome? Poo
Sir Henry! He had no slight cause 70
jealousy, and so he would have though
could he have watched the tete-a-tete.
At last M. de Lanteuil felt that h
must lnger no longer, and having OF
A..s...l :, r,,.c,,,, 90 that I.ad1z Mary xunIl