The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1898-07-16
A STAGE WAIT
By WILLIAM BUCKLEY.


The father of the bride, and the com
pany wandered over his 20-acre garden,
aud razcd and gorged and summed them
selves after the fashion of their kind.
Though knew very well what II would
be ike, | ran down on his invitation,
and was now. of course. regretting /
bad come, as | pensiyely picked out a
elematis-shaled seat. and fell TO watch
ing the poses Of :hree young girls in
enormous sleeves, who were attitud-
inizing near a bank of white lilies, with
something, too. of the flowers sweet
ftatelincss about them. despite the har-
lequingde Of dress and speech and man
ner.
4 prettily-defned pentagonal shadow
fell at my feet, and looking round /
saw Nine. de Tocqueville coming to a
halt before me. She Is just as well
known as Arbdseula-onl in another
xay-the kindliest, wickedest little
lady who ever stabbed reputation to
death, or painted bunch Of epigrams
upon the grave.
and Solomon in all his glory" she
said, nodding towards the three graces,
while she sloped her parasol to bring
The rose-eolored lining 10 bear upon a
cheek which had once dared even the
sunshine of Provence.
I'll Is to be hoped not, replied else
fhe queen Of the south must have been
easily impressed"
20, they were a commonplace lot"
answered madame, lightly. Solomon
was a fraud-Renan settled that long
ago. The queen of sheba was very
paltrg person too--you recoleet how
she showed her gs-nnintentionally-
over that mirror? What would she have
done If she had seen the cinemato-
graph?'
"iIeayen knows" said |. sitting a
yawn. "They have one here. We are
TO be on exhibition. daresay?'
.'Yes,' laughed madame, with the
added glory Of a phonograph for the
organ, you know" And she glanced in
the direction Of a marquee towards
which the company was beginning 10
gravitate. "1lhey took pictures of our
noble selves entering the church, within
the sacred edifice, as the reyerential re-
poaters say, and browsing in the gar
Gens"
III may be amusing said l, tenta-
lively.
at is sure to be-" she responded, "for
The humor will be strictly unconscious.
ani just beside the rood screen, near
Nine. de Beleville."
Another representative of La Belle
France?" | asked, languidly.
mo, countrywoman of yours" she
answered, but she was married to a
lrenchman; they lived near our estate
nj Dion. He died last month"; She
sighed-the suspiration was not eulo-
GUM on the deceased.
Rather early to attend marriage?"
lhazarded, being old-fashioned on some
matters; "but the suggestion of mourn
ing, rcw that you mention her recent
bereavement, was admirably carried
Out ia the toilet"
Madame smiled and shifted her sun
shade.
by the way, our host was very faith
full to his partner" | observed; she did
moi marry second time, though Mrs.
Cheddersiow died when the girl was
born, | understand"
ayes, her first child" replied madame.
"Thc tirstl Surely you forget Fred,
The engineer, who was killed on the
Niger2"
II do not forget him." said madame,
quietly she was looking sadly at one
OF The girls, whose profile was turned
towards us at the moment. 1t was her
eldest daughter, Miss Lucille made
some complimentary illusions TO the
young lady.
"She il well enough" remarked
madame, earelessly. DO you know the
other. on the right?"
I shook my head regretfuiy.
Indeed Then shall introduce you
81 you are very good. That is Miss
Langion. Prof. Langion's daughter"
she replied; I'VE like her exceedingly,
for She has been staying al Dion tin
quite recently with m invalid aunt.
Nou surely have met the professor?"
Il know him slightly" | answered,
remembering how he had wearied me
VIA q most eradite account Of "All
Tnols' day." the last time / saw him;
shut my ways are not scholastic"
Ne" said. madame, with unneces-
fary warmth Of assent. "He "a wrapped
SUP ~ his work, whatever II Is, some
ihieg about the great aux. II Is well
10 have an object in life"
i wonder whether he will wake 10
ihe fact that he has beautiful dauRh-
icr Who viii want 10 be settled in life?
SAID I.
Tho fact viii probably be brought
under his notice. replied NADINE. look.
i1e straight at me.
The girl ] alluded TO had turned
slightly, and the three stood facing Us.
lucille WINS French. the other young
lady merely fashionable; but the Eng
lisb maid appeared 10 me IRE loyeliest
] bad ever seen. They came in our d.
reciiou a moment. until Lucille. laugh
ing. aid something and, as II by one
Impulse. They wheeled with the grace
Of s'ariief. deer ard went towards the
marquee.
u wish could DO ihat!" 81 ID madame.